Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Monday, 3-17-08

Driving away, a last look at home!



Logging Whitby's July Geoswag Coin and Pin Club Geocoin into my "home" cache Appleyard, in preparation for releasing it in Australia.




It’s been so many years since I’ve traveled this far. It brings back many memories and feelings. The last time I did this, I was a young adult, traveling alone with a 14 month old. This time, I’m 33, with a husband, a 14 year old daughter, and an 11 year old son. Quite a difference!

The day has been a large blur. I am sitting here, finally, a couple hours into the main flight, in a darkened compartment full of quietly slumbering strangers. I need to sleep, I know. But I did have a short nap on the flight from Seattle to LA.

We were meant to fly to San Francisco, and we were flying from there to Australia on United, not Quantas. That’s the problem with buying tickets so late. But through frustration and crankiness, God always finds a way to work things into something good. The flight to San Fransisco was delayed, which would have made us miss our flight to Australia. We would have had to stay the night in California. But they worked everything out to switch around flights, and we were very quickly rushed through and we’ve ended up being plopped down on Quantas and being wonderfully pampered by Australian flightcrew. Not too sure how that happened, and not going to question it! Lol.


Waiting at SEATAC while working everything out



All41, figuring things out



Alaskan




Flying from SEATAC to LAX:

Watching traffic from my airplane window.



Taxi down the runway



Evening clouds.



Sunset





It’s been a long time since I’ve actually had a meal on a flight, due to cut backs for domestic flights in the past few years. It feels odd, but very nice. Lots of cool snacks as well. I guess it better be for such expensive tickets! I just wish that I had an outlet to plug into, as my laptop leaked it’s energy somehow and I have less than a quarter battery from charging in a dark dirty corner at the layover at LAX (have I ever mentioned that LAX is the worst U.S. airport I’ve been to? almost third world in some areas). Anyways, I’m getting ahead of myself. I just wanted to mention that I may have to save this and finish it later, but we’ll see how long my new ‘puter’s battery lasts!

Being rushed through SEATAC meant not having my handicap assistance that we had signed up for. After the last airport experience that I had, I said that I wouldn’t go on another flight again unless I had help pre-arranged. Unless you do, you end up getting caught up in the rush and it doesn’t happen and then travel can became miserable. But before we got out of the plane in San Francisco, a flight attendant announced that my help was waiting for me, which was a nice surprise. There was a wheelchair waiting for me, and it was wonderful. They also took us out on the tarmac, and we drove to the Quantas area by bus. We passed signs saying things like “yield for airplanes” or some such. One plane took off right next to us and scared me half to death. It was actually pretty neat. I didn’t think they allowed things like that, because of security.



Bus between airplanes



Don't get run over by a plane!




Beautiful LAX!



People looking at our airplane



Kboy, playing a flying game to pass the time during our layover



Our plane



Water Lily reading with Signal during our layover



Panorama of LAX gate, with Water Lily in the middle





Well, to sum it up, we’re off. It’s been hard, but I’ve determined to do my best. To find the little good things and real moments even when it’s difficult. Isn’t that what we all need to do? Just at different levels and situations. It’s what we do with what we have that makes our lives worthwhile. I pray that I always remember that. Laughing with my daughter, getting a kiss on the cheek from my son, waving “I love you” in sign language to my husband across a crowded airplane. Life is good. :-)


Waymarks for the day:

"Seattle-Tacoma International Airport" Waymark in the Airport category

"Los Angeles International Airport – Los Angeles, CA" Waymark in the Airport category




Evening on Quantas:

Water Lily looking over the breakfast menu - lots of choices!



All41 and Kboy all the way across the plane



Water Lily with her Quantas fun bag!



Signal with a Wiggles toy from Quantas



Lights



All41 and Kboy, settling down for the night



Water Lily, falling asleep



Back of plane, looking at all the little personal tv's in the back of seats


Flightplan

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"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."