First Leg Underway!

We passed through the security and boarding process with no issues whatsoever, despite our anxiety that it could be otherwise. The ubiquitous 737 was filled, but stowing our luggage was no problem. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief at our good fortune- small wins are all we hope for when flying these days!

Another small win, we were offered complimentary beverages, a luxury that reminds me of the golden days of flying. Well, that may be a bit of hyperbole. Considering the exagerated tales of the pains of air travel we hear and tell ourselves, anything that is not out-right abuse must be considered a win, no?

The weather was perfect for flying as we climbed away from Seattle, and the mass of Mt. Ranier receded along our right flank. The sounds, smells and feel of flying came to me as if it had only been a few weeks since my last flight. The welcome heat of the sun streaming through the tiny porthole, the murmur of several conversations around you over the dull roar of the engines. The dry processed air being forced through the cabin with its slight ozone aroma. Add to those inocuities the irritation of too many people in a cramped space, the jostling, the lack of control over anything, the need to be alert to anything that may develop into a threat to our enjoyable travel. Then the little pleasure of being able to read and listen to an iPod or do a puzzle or blog with no possibility of other activity to distract.

And now I have set up my little writing station. PDA, foldable keyboard, and the camera. It is all working together as it should. I will definitely have to sort out the best way to get photos into these tiny emaiils on this tiny PDA. So far the workflow is anything but ideal. Patience and persistence is all it will take. I have 50% of the requisites, so I just need to work on the rest. Tonight I will have my last access to the internet for a while, then who knows when I will get online again?

We will touchdown in San Antonio tonight, 7:55 PM local time. Maybe just in time to have a nice Tex Mex meal at Chuy's, or some Chicken fried steak, or BBQ? I don't know, we'll let my brother decide. He is meeting us at the aiport, and I am looking forward to catching up with him. Then on Saturday we will drive up to Austin to see my mom before we go off on Sunday to France. It is good to be travelling when such happy destinations await you!

And now a few words about Maryvonne. She is a delight to travel with, organized and uncomplaining. We have many laughs together, especially about the endlessly entertaining stream of people in airports. That is the solace we take in being part of this herd, that we get to see all kinds of people we would not otherwise see in out little corner of the world.