I was nervous at first, of course.  I had tons of crazy electronic equipment on my being.  I didn't want to set the metal detectors off.  I didn’t want to inadvertently do something that might ruin things.  There were men with guns.  Big guns.

The logistics of airports and flying are very simple, understanding why we always have to circumvent nature isn’t.  This was the beginning of a theme that would follow us through the trip.

I often finagled a window seat – I’m a very visual person, I couldn’t stand being denied a view on the first… five flights or so.  The crop fields in the Midwest resemble earth-toned modernist paintings.  Flying through clouds is breathtaking.  Turbulence is really quite fun.
 

Our airport scandal didn’t bother me as much as it should have.  Not having had a cigarette for eight hours was all I could think about, and I felt very unhappy about the situation.  All I wanted was to get somewhere – anywhere -  where I could chain-smoke to my hearts content.

When you've been involved with airplanes/ports for over twelve hours, you really want your luggage.  You want it much more than if you had simply been able to make your flight normally.  You want it especially if your carry on was filled with do-dads and not your toothbrush, clean underwear, or pajamas.

This plane ride was very similar to the whole Southwest trip. I couldn't try and expect anything or I might be let down by the experience. Coasting on to the runway took way took soo long, it made the sudden take off a surprise.

I tried to compare the plane take off to a roller coaster, but that simply isn't fair; roller coasters are way better.

I shall always be able to say that I have witnessed the ground leave me. Simply watching the ground drop farther and farther below me was something I shall never forget.

I sure got my fill of flying on this trip, having our two trips turn into four (that's another story), but, like this trip, I shall never forget it.