The Joys of Air Travel

I did go on and on about the joy of thunder storms last week, didn't I? This week we discovered the underside of that. My sister Maryanne and hub Bob showed up in Colorado on Wednesday and we headed out for the trip home on Thursday morning, early. I have explained, I think, the challenge of stand-by travel before. We only go if there are empty seats. An early arrival at the Montrose Airport paid off; we got on an early flight into Denver with no problem. But our ease ended there.

It seems that thunder storms had caused the cancellation of a number of flights out of Denver, over several days. So by the time we arrived Thursday morning the airport was loaded with passengers, all hoping that this would be the day they could escape to destinations of all sorts. So every flight into San Francisco was oversold. Ditto every other western destination that we could head for that could eventually get us to San Francisco. Hum. We found ourselves running from gate to gate, hoping that enough passengers would not show up to empty just two seats for us. No luck, until we managed to squeeze onto a flight to Sacramento. The flight from there to SF looked hopeful. Except that once we arrived in Sacramento, that flight was canceled. So we got creative. We decided to take the train. We taxied to the railroad station and got on an Amtrak train for a 2 1/2 hour trip to Fremont. The cost for old folks was just $15 apiece. We qualified, so for a small investment we enjoyed a scenic and comfortable ride that took us closer to home than the airplane trip would have. It was a surprise blessing. So I guess that goes to show that the most frustrating of circumstances can turn surprisingly pleasant.

Grandson Chase had his missionary open house this past Saturday. Family, friends and Church members gathered at our house to wish him well. It was tons of fun. One of our ward emembers made him a cake that was a work of art. It seemed wrong to cut it (but we did!). Check out the accompanying picture and see what you think. It was amazing. Chase gave his missionary farewell talk this past Sunday. He was a good guy and spoke on a religious subject rather than rambling on with various mundane thoughts. He spoke instead on the importance of exacting obedience to the Lord. I was impressed.

You may think that I have enough of air travel. You would be right to think that. But I have committed to friend Pat Green, from Idaho, that I would meet her in Salt Lake for a few days of girl bonding. I never do this sort of thing. But Pat is a kindred spirit with whom good things always happen. So I kept my commitment and once again headed for the airport early Monday morning. That adventure will wait for another blog.












Chase wouldn't give me a decent pose so I'm giving you this
goofy one. Someday he'll be embarrassed. Or maybe not. Here also is granddaughter Allegra, on the left of the girl trio, with two of her Fremont buds.

P.S. Granddaughter Carmen would have been 10 years old today.