It's Snowing!

You may recall that last February I was re-routed to Montana in the middle of a blizzard. As a result, I asked to have the next visits as I wanted to actually be able to see the mountains. I was rewarded with a positive response.


Now is the time for the next visit.


I scheduled the flights with time to explore and checked the information for Glacier National Park. The 'Fun in the Sun Road' was partially closed when I first checked three weeks ago, but being the positive person I am, I was sure it would be open by the second week in June. I anticipated brisk, sunny days with blue skies and comfortable temperatures. I actually packed slacks and light weight shirts, shorts and T-shirts and laid out Capri's, a T-shirt and sandals for the flight. Then for some reason I decided I should check the weather report for Kalispel, Montana on Monday night before I left on Tuesday morning. The forecast was for highs in the 50'2 and lows in the 30's, so I repacked, taking the shorts out and replacing light weight tops with sweaters. I put away the Capri's and got out jeans, a sweater and athletic shoes to wear on the plane. And at the last minute, I hunted down my heavy black sweater and put it in the suitcase.

Leaving Kansas City at 10AM (the flight was delayed) I felt a bit foolish, as I was uncomfortably hot and the other passengers were wearing summer attire. I changed planes in Denver and it was sunny and breezy. But, alas, when we were boarding the plane for Kalispel we were told that we might not be able to land in Kalispel due to a snow storm. If the weather prohibited the landing we would be re-routed to Missoula and arrangements made to transport us on to Kalispel.

Fortunately, luck was with us.

The flight was rather bumpy, but we made it to Kalispel on time. Actually, we landed a bit ahead of time. AND the snow storm was in full force. Visibility restricted my ability to see the mountains.....AGAIN!. Instead of heading for Glacier National Park, as I had planned, I just went to the hotel.

But all good stories have a good ending, and so does this one.

When I checked in at the hotel, I discovered I was the 'customer of the day'. I received a gift bag with bottled water, candy and microwave popcorn and an upgrade to a suite.

I'm here until Friday morning. Maybe the weather will improve.

Delays

I have decided that summer air travel is much more unpredictable than winter. I really have not had many problems this winter, other than being cold. The flights usually were on time and I have always had my STUFF since I quit checking my luggage. But the summer storms have started and my TRIALS have begun.

I am in Milwaukee, waiting on my connection back to Kansas City. I was to be here about 2 hours. BUT, the first screen I saw said my flight was 'DELAYED'. I went to a 'restaurant' and ordered a glass of wine at the bar. (The tables were full). I chatted with two policemen from Cleveland who were on their way to Dallas to pick up a prisoner who was delinquent with child support. They had been here four hours and were not sure they were going to make it to Dallas in time to pick him up tomorrow morning and head home. I finished the wine and went back to my gate to check out the 'delay'. Right now the plan is that I won't leave until 9PM, which means I won't be home until much later than I wanted to be.

The good news is that I don't have to leave Kansas City until next Tuesday.

The Results

Only three of the wheelchairs were used and the passengers were all older (even older than me) ladies. One of them immediately got out of the wheelchair once she was out of the walkway. One of the others moved from the wheelchair to a motorized cart and took off to parts unknown.

Tonight I am in a foggy Milwaukee waiting to connect to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have almost three hours between flights and will not arrive in Grand Rapids until 11:30. We almost didn't get to land in Milwaukee because of the fog, so I am hoping that it clears enough that I actually get to take off at 10 when the flight is scheduled. The weather has been a little rough. There were storms both days in Indianapolis and we were without electricity at the nursing home there most of the morning.

Now I am actually going to try and do some reports so I don't have to do them this week-end.

A Wheelchair Parade

I'm in Indianapolis, sitting at a gate, waiting for my co-worker to arrive from Houston. We are doing a two day Mock Survey here.

The airport in Indianapolils does not post 'Arrivals' inside the secure area. I guess they figure if you are inside the secure area, you are only interested in 'Departures'. I am assuming my co-worker will arrive at the gate the next American departure to Houston leaves from, so here I am. Amazingly there is a relatively empty bar across from the gate, and I am having pleasant glass of Chardonay while I wait.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a parade of six empty wheelchairs. They are now lined up at the door. The chariot awaits!!! I can't wait to see who exits the plane to assume the chariot!!

I'll keep you posted.