Saturday, May 31, 2008

Looking Back at PA

You know I had a wonderful time with the J&C clan in PA. You may or may not know that the trip there and back was less than stellar!!! I'm almost too tired to tell you about it but will give the highlights.
1. flight from Phx. to Charlotte, N.C. - Huge storm closed the Charlotte airport down. We circled hoping for clearing. Didn't happen. Rerouted to Greensborough, N.C. Refueled. Waited for weather to clear in Charlotte then took off to return to Charlotte. Somewhat upset thinking I had missed my connecting flight to Scranton/Wilkes Barre (pronounced Barry) but due to storm that flight was delayed and wouldn't depart until 10:30 pm. Worried about Jesse having to drive an hour to Scranton to pick me up. Just before boarding came the announcement that my flight was cancelled. Couldn't get a crew. Long, long lines. Slow, slow moving line to get issued a new ticket. Nothing going out that night. By almost 1 a.m. I still hadn't been able to get on shuttle to free hotel for night. Only one shuttle going between airport and hotel. Maybe a hundred people trying to push way on when it came to the airport about every 30-40 minutes. SLK and I speak and he encourages me not to go to hotel fearing I couldn't get back to airport on time for my 6:00 am flight out. Sat in chair in front of baggage center all night. No sleep. My flight out in the morning changed from Scranton/ Wilkes Barre to Williamsport which is a tiny bit closer for
Christie to pick me up. This little propeller plane putts in okay, I loved flying lower and seeing this great landscape. Airport so tiny, one gate. My bag didn't arrive with me. Tracer out to find my bag. Oh I want a toothbrush and clean set of clothes. Wonderful seeing C, E, J and A. Beautiful drive to Danville. Dead on my feet to say the least. Nap. Bag found in Scranton and delivered between 10-11 pm. I'd already gone to Wally's for toothbrush, new jammies, basic makeup.
2. Trip home Tuesday. Departed from Scranton/W.B. for Atlanta. 20 minutes into flight pilot announces mechanical problems with the flaps. Diverted to Harrisburg. Coached for an emergency landing. No flaps so landing hard and fast. Little nervous. Several prayers. Glad Heavenly Father is in my life and hears my prayers regularly so I'm not new to Him. We land okay really. No emergency evacuation but told to get off quickly and not to "light up" since smoke is coming from plane. Okay, I wasn't planning on lighting up anyway. Walk down the stairs from plane to the tarmac and see 3 big yellow fire trucks. This was serious. I'm now saying several prayers of thanks. Sit in terminal long time. Told to not bother asking for help as this is another small airport and they are all busy getting people on planes and that we will be delt with asap. No flights to Atlanta. Can be bused back to Scranton. Call C, she says she'll load up the kids and drive the 1.25 hours to get me and take me back to Danville. She's so good to me. Prayers of thanks again. We get home about 9ish p.m. Call airlines and get flight out to Atlanta on Thursday. Yeah, that means I get to go to the Wednesday farmers market.
3. Thursday attempt to get home goes smoothly except for my restless leg condition. That was weird and annoying. Blessed Del.ta even has milk on the beverage menu so that's what I drink for my legs. Guess you really didn't need that detail.
Now some extra photos:
Out the planes window leaving Scranton/Wilkes Barre, green, lush, crops, fun.




Downtown Danville patriotically decorated for Memorial Day. Double flags flying from every lamppost.

E at a fun park.

E helping make the apple pie. She was really good at the apple peeler, slicer, corer.

Two yummy pies over her shoulder. We followed that up in a day with a rhubarb pie with fresh rhubarb purchased at the farmers market.

E and J in my "hide-a-bed", that's what we called a sofa sleeper in "my day".

Views out J&C's front windows


3 views off their deck.



Sadness to not have photos of the farmers market though I had my camera with me. I so wanted pictures of the Amish folks behind the counters or me with them. It's not polite to do that though. I expected the Amish to be quiet and reserved and found just the opposite. I'll tell you about it sometime but I'm too tired now.
Thanks J&C and Crew for the wonderful stay!!! You really went out of your way for me and it didn't go unnoticed. My love, thanks and appreciation. Mom

3 comments:

Christie K said...

We miss you already and look forward to your next visit with hopefully less adventful travel days. I'm pretty sure the first attempt to return home failed because an hour after you left my kiddies were begging for your return.Loads of love.

Trevlyn said...

Glad you're home safely! How scary! I love your pictures!

Mandy said...

Glad to here that you made it home safely. I had you home on Wednesday the last that I had heard. How scary! Does it make you want to get on a flight tomorrow. lol. At least you have until the end of July for your Oregon trip. 3

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