Long Plane Ride Home

Posted 08:00 PST Sun Jan 20, 2008 in Travel

Thursday was a travel day. Wednesday turned out to be a fun day, but I’ll have to write about that later. I want to focus on the trip home from Washington, D.C.

I woke my normal time — about 0500 my time (0800 local time), made some coffee, thought about what I needed to do, and spent some time at the computer reviewing my email load and moving bits about. The coffee was decent (the water isn’t as good as at home) and welcome. The time difference was pretty hard on me this trip. But, after Wednesday’s extra sleep, I felt pretty good.

So, after my morning email/computer regimen, I took a quick shower and packed my bags. I learned that I need a medium roller-bag/carry-on to make this process easier. I’d like something more effective than my current computer bag, but that may need some additional research. The small duffel I carried was too heavy for the straps/handles with the extra paper harvested from the conference. The one-shoulder Brenthoven computer case, while an excellent case, swings funny when I walk and is really too heavy, fully-loaded, for one shoulder — or at least one of my shoulders. So I need to do some research and decide what is better¹.

I walked downstairs about 0915 and checked out. I visited with the staff while waiting for my ride, laughing and making jokes. Tooradj, my Persian red-neck driver, was to arrive about 0930 for the trip to Dulles. By happenstance, I drew Tooradj for the outbound trip from Dulles. He chatted all the long way to my lodging and was open and entertaining. He offered to pick me up on the return trip and I decided to take him up on the offer. I’d much prefer to visit with someone open and friendly than one of the more reserved drivers I often draw.

Tooradj is middle-aged, much like me. He’s an independent contractor and very happy to live in the U.S. He runs his business and has the hustle necessary to be successful here. He talked about his family and laughed a lot. He loves large American cars and we talked about our experiences with vehicles as we rode. His personal favorite is his Ford F-250, which he uses to hunt and fish, preferably dressed in BDU’s. That is the source of his self-referenced red-neck moniker. I laughed about this a lot.

As we approached the Dulles airport, it began spitting snow. Wife had told me that weather might be a problem in D.C. I hoped not, but you never know this time of the year. We arrived at the terminal, I paid my fare, and headed inside to process through security and find my departure gate. I allowed a lot of time, because the Southwest gates are a long way from the terminal entrance. I had no idea how long security would require, so I wanted a stress-free morning and would prefer to wait at the gate than run to the gate.

I was processed quickly and humped it to the gate. I was over two-hours early, so I watched a little television, napped, and talked to Wife. As the morning grew old, the snow came heavier. No announcement of a delay came, however, so I maintained my hope all would be well.

When boarding time came, however, we were delayed. It was only 20 minutes, though, so I was still hopeful of making my connection. The clerk boarded us and I found a seat at one of the windows. I prefer a window-seat so I can lean against the aircraft and sleep. There is something about the stress of flying — I almost always sleep on the aircraft.

I napped a couple of times on the flight. The week was pretty hard on me, particularly in the area of sleep. I was quite anxious to be home to my family and my house. We landed in the City of Lost Wages about an hour late. Fortunately, I had enough time to make my connection without a run. I said goodbye to my neighbor and headed for the next, and last leg of my trip home.

I sat in the Las Vegas airport with the sun in my eyes as it dropped over the hills. I reflected on the week and chatted with Wife while waiting to board and depart for Reno. The sun dipped beneath the hills and my vision cleared. The clerk lined us up and we boarded another full flight. I think I need to buy some Southwest stock. Their flights always seem full.

I fell asleep again on the final leg home. I woke as we started the initial descent into the Reno zone. I watched the city lights as we descended to the airfield, then waited for my turn to debark and head for home. I paid for my parking (it’s expensive in Reno) and called in as I drove home.

It takes a full day to travel across this country. It’s a long way, even via aircraft. I can only imagine what it must have been like in the late 1800’s. That must have been really tough.

I’m glad to be home. I have a week and change before I head to Austin for meetings there. January has a heavy travel schedule for me this year.

¹ I really like my Booq backpack. It could be better organized, internally, but it is really an excellent computer/work bag. It does not, however, fit on my motorcycle as well as my Brenthoven bag. It’s a quandary.

1. David,
   I read with pleasure about your search for Sourdough Jack and your experiences making sourdough bread. (I realize this has nothing to do with your “Long Plane Ride Home” but the comment links in your “Sourdough Jack” postings are no longer active.) It brought back fond memories of my mother’s bread. I am most interested in an update on Sourdough Jack and a source for his starter packets. I have just gone through my mother’s cookbooks in the process of clearing her estate and found two old copies of his books. A signed copy from 1971 still has a starter packet attached, but I am reluctant to use it unless I can find a backup. I googled Jack’s name to see if he or anyone was still doing business as “Sourdough Jack” and I found your website. I believe my father was in the service with Jack Mabee and I remember meeting him when we went on a family trip to San Francisco many long years ago. Unfortunately, my parents are no longer available to ask if they kept in touch and if they knew what became of Jack.
   Regards, Susan Bengtson

   — Susan Bengtson    23 January 2008, 07:25    #
   
   

2. I tried to move this to the appropriate entry, but the software won’t allow me to do that. Too bad.

   If you’ll look at the comments, I think another man is distributing some of Jack’s starter packs. He sent me one and I most appreciate it. When I have an opportunity to begin again, I’ll fire up that starter and see what happens.

   — ruminator    1 February 2008, 02:43    #