[at-l] Skyblazing half a thru before lunch

[TOKTAADN@aol.com]

I flew from Orlando to Allentown, PA this morning.  Wanted to share a few 
thoughts and observations:

Sunrise over Savannah at 37,000 feet

The flight took off in total darkness and we were just east of the coastline 
at Savannah when the sun made its dramatic appearance through the windows on 
the opposite side of this Boeing 757.  What was unique is that the sun on the 
horizon was below us.  The pattern of the windows from the opposite side 
shone above our westward facing windows.  In our usual lives sun rays usually 
shine down.  I guess this is something one sees only in planes and on 
mountains.  I enjoyed it.  Others, annoyed, called for the eastside 
passengers to close the shutters.

Cloudy blue skies
The view is great
And way beyond it
Is Heaven's gate.

Smooth Air

A few minutes later after some turbulence above Charleston, the captain comes 
on the loudspeaker and says "We found some unexpected turbulence up here, 
folks.  We're gonna cruise lower and search for some smooth air."  At this 
point I leaned over to the beautiful blonde in the seat next to me and said, 
"Don't you wish life was like that?"  Actually it made me think of what we AT 
hikers do.  It seems like our thruhikes sometimes are a search for smooth air 
in our own turbulent lives, except we go higher!  :)

Wayne and the Rich Lady

At Philadelphia, I had to take a commuter plane to Allentown.  The passengers 
had to take a bus from the gate to the plane.  The seats in the bus faced 
sideways and I found myself facing two of the most interesting sights in 
juxtaposition.  Directly across from me was Wayne.  I knew this because that 
was what was embroidered on his spiffy blue jacket which he wore proudly.  He 
did seem to puff his chest out a bit, but his gut made a much more awesome 
statement.  Anyway on the jacket it said  "St Ann's Bowling Champions  
1992-93."  Seated next to Wayne was a lady whom I wish had her first name 
likewise embroidered on her ostentatious full length fur coat.  At least it 
would have been the first friendly thing about her.  I shudder to think how 
many animals went into making that monstrosity.  Have I mentioned the 
diamonds yet?  One one hand a pear shaped ring over three-quarters of an inch 
long.  I don't know carats, but it was a whopper.  On the other hand, a round 
diamond about one-half inch in diameter.  The diamond earrings were about 
three-eiths of an inch.  Both wrists sported diamond tennis bracelets.  The 
wrist which also had the watch surrounded by diamonds was only about a halh 
inch wide.  Ah but the other wrist had a tennis bracelet the likes I've never 
even seen pictures of, over an inch wide festooned with hundreds of 
glittering diamonds.  This lady, whose looks were sadly time ravaged, and who 
attempted to compensate with pounds of makeup, was wearing enough jewelry and 
makeup to adorn the next decade's worth of hiker babes!  Anyway, next to 
Wayne, my hero, she came across looking quite pathetic.  Could be a nice 
Halloween costume though!  :)

Gotta sign off now.  I'm on my way to a Bill Cosby concert!

BTW, the leaves in the Lehigh Valley were still nice.  Further north in PA, 
they've begun to fade.

Happy trails,

Solar Bear

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