Tuesday, March 26, 2013

A bumpy landing

Oh, not yesterday. Yesterday's flights were great from beginning to end!

I was on the same plane from Dallas to Portland, but it made a stop in Kansas City, MO. What a difference a week made! When I flew through KCI last Tuesday, the landscape was a typical winter tan. Yesterday it looked like a Currier and Ives print! (Sorry for the poor photo quality; I was shooting through the plane windows.)
From the runway
After take-off
From KCI I had a window seat and my camera in my carry-on. I never take a window seat anymore; I'm just not willing to make two other people get up if I need to use the restroom, and if Brian is with me, he always wants the window seat. But after most of the passengers deplaned at KCI, those of us continuing on to Portland were allowed to choose new seats, and I decided to grab the available bulkhead window seat, stashing my knitting bag above and sitting down with just one project and my needles for take-off (oh, and my camera, which I tucked down between my seat and the wall). A man took the aisle seat, practically giddy with getting a seat with extra legroom. Then a LARGE man – 6'5" and probably 350 pounds – wedged himself into the middle seat, apologizing for his size but also grateful to have the extra legroom. The man in the aisle seat made some noises and then left, finding himself one of the 25 available seats on that flight, which allowed the big man to move over and giving him and me space aplenty. We chatted pleasantly and both enjoyed the often-snowy scenery out the windows.
Crop circles give way to more rugged terrain
Wooded ravines look like fern fronds
Lakes in liquid, semi-liquid and frozen states
Pointy peaks
Snowy bluffs
The Tetons aren't called "Grand" for nothing!
More "grand"eur

As we approached Portland, we had a soul-soaring view of its glorious landmark, Mt. Hood.

My guys picked me up and whisked me home to an excited pair of doggies. The house was as is to be expected with two guys batching it; no big surprise there. The bumpy part came when I picked up the reins as homeschooling mother today. After getting to slack off for a week, Brian was none too cooperative. He balked and complained and argued, making every subject take longer than usual and trying my patience every which way from Sunday. But I survived it, and tomorrow should go a little smoother. I hope.

That's it from my first day home at . . .


9 comments:

Tina T-P said...

Great pictures - what a lucky thing to get that bulkhead seat - and don't you just love it when you see that mountain (for us it is Mt. Baker) You really know you are home then :-) T.

thecrazysheeplady said...

WOW!!! GREAT PICTURES!!!!!!!

Laurie said...

I was fortunate enough to get to see Mt. Hood from ground view many years ago, but this view is beyond gorgeous.

Tammy said...

Really pretty pictures...but I can tell you we aren't amused here in Missouri with this latest dump of 'Spring' weather.

Glad you made it home safely!

Tammy

Susan said...

Amazing pictures~ Mt. Hood is WONDERFUL! Hope your following days go smoothly.

C-ingspots said...

Pretty pictures of your aerial view. I love the window seat! Mt. Hood, no matter how often we may see it, is still amazing isn't it?
Glad you enjoyed your trip, and I'm sure you're happy to be home where you can whip Brian into shape!

A :-) said...

Great shots, Michelle! Thanks for sharing them.

Getting back in the groove after time away is always challenging - hope you and Brian settle back in to yours soonest :-)

farmlady said...

I love seeing the world from an airplane. I'm still nervous when I fly but I like a window seat because I get caught up in the fact that I will never see these views any other way.
Beautiful photos.
(The son will settle back into your routine. Sounds like he had a vacation too.)

erica said...

Is that mt hood?