Between times

Art in the San Francisco airport [Enrique Chayoga, "Love Letters," in Spanish, English, Filipino, Lakota, French, Italian, Japanese, and American Sign Language].


Travel days that involve hours in airports and on planes always feel like a gift to me. Even if I'm working, the time feels carefree and relaxed (except for those moments getting through the security). Today we left Menlo Park at dawn, and arrived in Anchorage about 6:30 p.m., with hours of sunlight left to enjoy. In between, we had a two-hour flight to Seattle, four hours there, and about three and a half hours on the flight to Anchorage. I spent much of it reading the materials that Antioch provided about the MFA program, trying to wrap my head around what it will mean to be a student in earnest. Bottom line: it will mean a lot of work! But fun, too (I am promising myself).

Dawn sky from Highway 101 -- with the ubiquitous power lines. Certainly there are places in California without so many of them, but we didn't see them.

Looking west from the train that runs from the rental car dropoff to the airport terminals -- morning fog over the hills.

Looking east from the airport -- this is maybe the San Mateo bridge?

Washing windows at the San Francisco Airport.

The wrinkly, crinkly silver water of the Pacific Ocean.

Flying past Lake Washington on the descent to Seattle -- the gray blur along the middle of the photo is from the jet engines.

A plane taking off, and Alaska and United planes taxiing to their runways; mostly sunny skies in Seattle.

Both San Francisco and Seattle airports have artwork; here is a charming creature from a Seattle pottery display ["Treasure Island" by Cappy Thompson and Dick Weiss].

Also in Seattle, one of several mosaics on columns along a concourse.

Jim's coup (he was sitting next to the window) -- the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm, with the train.

Coming over the Mat-Su Valley area -- hardly any snow for the end of March.

Home -- Anchorage, with the mountains rising behind, and Cook Inlet in front.

Anchorage sunset, just after 8:00 p.m.

Thanks for coming along on this trip to California! Thanks to Joe Lazio (expert on many things) and Cathy White (queen of bird identification), and everyone who has shared their California experiences and memories.  Special thanks to everyone who hosted us, and went out of their way to meet us for a meal -- we are looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Next up -- Seattle in May. See you then!

Another mosaic at the Seattle airport.