This past week was the third week in five I spent in Seattle for meetings and training. Thankfully, this time it wasn't all work and no play. We had a couple opportunities for fun in the evenings. Tuesday night we enjoyed dinner at Salty's on Alki Beach and admired the Seattle skyline.
Wednesday we went to the OTHER side and ate high in the sky at the Space Needle's Skycity Restaurant. While I've enjoyed going to the Space Needle several times in the past, this was the first time for dining there. It was really nice and lots of fun. Definitely a spot to bring Jamie the next time we get to venture here together.
Friday morning saw me back at Sea-Tac bright and early - or rather so early it was still quite dark. A long wait in the Starbucks line paid off when I scored a great seat to sip my tea and enjoy the atmosphere and hanging sculpture I've come to love.
The foggy, rainy weather didn't let up Friday morning for the trip home. I thought for sure the view out the window was a loss.
Thankfully once we climbed above the bottom cloud line, the window dried and the view improved immensely. And just in time too - the mountain peaks were gorgeous!
The lady in the seat ahead of me wore a vibrant red hand-crocheted scarf. It glowed in the sunlight streaming through the window. I had to close my eyes several times to let them recover or I was afraid I'd see red forever!
For the first time I can remember - I actually made my connecting flight at Chicago's O'Hare airport! All the pretty lights in the tunnel can't make up for missing a flight and getting stranded only six hours from home. This time I was actually able to enjoy them slightly before rushing to the next plane.
Who knew!?! Even the tiny airport support vehicles have special tow trucks! As we were taking off, I watched in amusement as these two puttered down the side road.
Then we climbed back up in the sky, surrounded by layers of clouds which trapped and funneled the sunset, giving us smooth sailing home.
That there is my luggage. All two allowable pieces: one regulation size carry-on and my personal item. Oh yes, and my breakfast. We, me and my luggage, had an early start this morning. We were at the SeaTac Airport in Seattle by 5AM. Thanks to Starbucks, the initial rough going through a super swamped security line faded away with each sip and by the bottom of the cup and I was ready for the day's trek home.
But first. Yes, first, there was tea to drink, cinnamon coffee cake to nibble, and art to be enjoyed. So enjoy I did.
Can you see the goose landing in a pond with his reflection below in this beautiful aerial sculpture? Wanna know the really cool part? Check out the figurines weighting down the lines. Look really closely.
They're fish. And birds with wings outspread. And umbrellas! Do you see the umbrellas? There's an open one, and a closed one too! (They're in the bottom left corner.) All sorts of symbols known to Seattle.
I just had to take a photo of this. On the left: trash. In the middle: recycling. On the right: food scraps. That's right. Food scraps. SeaTac got wind of a good idea and is promoting it slick and shiny Seattle-style. They're composting food scraps and touting it like this is some brilliant new invention - and to think I grew up in a family that has done this for decades. To think we were hip all along.
This time I may not have seen Mt. Rainier out my window, however I enjoyed great views of the Rocky Mountains as we neared Denver.
These clouds were bubbling over the mountains below.
As I was drinking in views of the mountains and clouds, the wing flaps came up signaling the first leg of the trip home was nearing an end.
The plane dipped to the right and the wingtip outside my window raised high above the horizon.
Then we circled far to the left and the wing tipped as if to tickle the ground below.
And when we were only 40 miles away from Denver the snowline appeared.
And the closer we got, the more the wings extended.
And the ground rushed up to greet us...
All too soon it was over and I was off the plane and in the next. This flight went quickly. Before I knew it the captain announced we were preparing to land and the plane began to circle Des Moines. We passed the Capitol.
Then we passed downtown Des Moines.
The golf course, cloaked in bronzes, signaled we were soon about to land.
And then we were on the ground and the sunlight broke through the clouds. You could just about hear the angelic singing soundtrack playing in the background.
From the back row of the plane, I got to watch everyone else in front of me get up agonizingly slowly and creep down the aisle and off the plane. Didn't they know I had a husband to wrap my arms around only a few hundred paces away?!?
I rushed toward the terminal entrace and wondered in excited anticipation if Jamie would be already waiting for me at the bottom of the escalators.
And he was there! I was so happy. He was there and I was now home.
And so glad my feet were finally planted firmly on the ground and not in the clouds any longer.
This grounded wife is looking forward to a great night's slumber in her own bed (even if the cat may still think it's HIS spot. It's not. Eventually he'll learn.) Goodnight!
