When my Mom told me of my sister in laws passing, within milliseconds, my brain coughed up the thought “you are going to to have to get on a plane”. It is an
interesting feature of the human brain, that we can think numerous thoughts simultaneously, so while my main thoughts were of disbelief, horror and incredible sadness for my brother, this errant little corner of my mind was smugly certain I would fly to Arizona, and constantly tortured me with that fact.
I’m afraid of heights. Even seeing photos or film of high places makes my feet all sweaty and squinchy feeling. I have at times, put the fear aside, to participate in activities others find enjoyable – I went to the top of the Prudential Building in Boston when Larry and I were there with my sister and her husband. And a couple years ago, when Larry and I went to Niagara Falls for New Years Eve, we went on the Skywheel there – it was even my idea since Larry would never suggest such a thing to me, knowing as he does, how I feel altitudes higher than the stepstool I use to water the plants on top of my kitchen cabinets.
From the moment they moved the thing so that the people in the car behind us could get on, I was thinking “WHAT WAS I THINKING???” I survived it though, and if Larry hadn’t been there to confirm the story, no one who knows me well would have ever believed that I did it.
So, after discovering how dirt cheap airline fares have become, there was no question about it – I had to finally fly. I realize it’s pretty unusual to get to the age of 54 without ever flying. The simplest reason is that I never had to. There was no way I could allow my fear to prevent me from going to be with my family, as we all cope with one of the worst events we have ever been through. And I was curious – would I begin screaming before we taxied down the runway, or would I be able to wait until the plane actually left the ground? How many burly male passengers would it take to subdue me when I began to hysterically pound on the door, begging the pilot to turn around and return me to terra firma? Only time would tell.
Immediately on arriving at the Ithaca airport, I found out that my flight was delayed – which bollixed up my plan to meet my sister in Newark and fly on to Phoenix together. In fact, in the course of this trip, I became convinced that airlines keep you waiting so long that a plane crash would be a welcome alternative to sitting in lounges or on the tarmac for untold hours. It’s their way of alleviating fear I suppose. “Lost: The Nebraska Edition” would be far preferable to one more second on a hot, stinky, noisy plane.
Ok, ok. You want to know what I thought of flying, don’t you? I decided before the first plane left, that I would look for stuff to like about flying, instead of just being terrified. And the fact is – it wasn’t that hard for me to do. Flying is a marvel! All I could think when I looked down, was how wonderful God is, to have made people smart enough to figure out how to do this successfully [the key word Lord, is successfully, of course]. I am shocked at how much I enjoyed it. [all together now: “I told you so!”]
And you don’t get photos like these, standing on the ground.
We were probably over Ohio when the sun began to come up
As it got more light, the colors became more subtle
We flew by a huge line of thunderstorms
That line of storms ended up closing down the Newark airport for several hours, resulting in not only another long delay, but in an extremely unpleasant last leg of the trip in a plane roughly the size of my mini van. They looked pretty amazing from up here though.
But I am still glad to be back on the front porch with Larry and a nice glass of shiraz.
Wow those pics are stunning.
Sorry about the need for you to fly but you got some darn purdy shots there!
-Ash
It was quite a ride despite the purpose of the trip. I’m so glad you ended up enjoying it!
Glad it went so well.
I’m glad you’re home and alive. :) Lost: The Nebraska Edition – now that made me laugh. Didn’t they already make a version nearly like it called The Wizard of Oz?
I am so glad you enjoyed it! I had faith in you. Still thinking of your brother….
I love flying but I’m afraid of falling. I think in a plane I don’t get that sensation so it doesn’t bother me really.
gorgeous shots.
Now you can put this all behind you and relive the flying experience. So sorry, once again, for the loss in your family.
I’m glad you enjoyed it too! The views are amazing!
We flew all the time when I was a child… big planes, little planes… I was fearless. As I age I get a little less fearless with each flight.
Although I’ve never contemplated how many burly male passengers it would take to keep me from charging the cockpit! What a visual!
My first airplane ride I was all alone,like you. On the way to visit family where there was some serious problem, like you … and delays, like your’s… but unlike you, in the seat in front of me was a kid about 6 who was trying to see out the window and was so excited about flying that his excitement made me feel excited not scared .. and since that kid was so cool, I knew I had to be too …
I do not like to fly myself. The last time I flew was to go to my sister’s memorial. You took some pretty pics there. Glad it all went well for you.
God Bless~
Debbie Jean
Ultimately I always think of flying as waiting to get to my destination. I’ve flown many many times and while it certainly doesn’t scare me, I also don’t particularly like it. It is soooo boring! Try sitting on a plane for 16 hours…
Glad to hear that you didn’t think it was too bad! And you’ve got some amazing photos to show for it!
taking pictures while flying makes it all worth while… i am terrified of heights and will have butt strain after a flight from sitting for hours with cheeks clenched but, oh its so worth it when the need arises… great shots! Glad you made it! and hell would freeze before i got on that sky wheel… the ferris wheel at the county fair nearly did me in!
Finally getting a chance to read your story … loved it! And the pictures are breath taking!
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Cool photos.