TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Friday, December 5, 2008

AIRPORT FUN AND MY BIRDS EYE VIEW

I love to travel, and I love taking advantage of any chance I get to ride my Glide and enjoy this beautiful country I call home. Riding my motorcycle on the open road is probably my favorite way to get from point A to point B, but due to my limited time off work, I sometimes have to chose an alternative mode of transportation. Now and then, you find yourself with too many miles to go and not enough time to get there, so enter into the equation a very expensive, and probably the most stressful mode of travel... flying!

Don't get me wrong! I love to fly! I am just usually doing it on two wheels! LOL! However, the airports can provide some of the most unusual experiences and allow you a peek a boo view of our world's most interesting individuals. Simply put, I call it "People Watching". While on my trip to Billings, Montana for Thanksgiving, here are a few of my most memorable observations.

Person # 1... Funny Man. Youngish college age dude, clean cut, dark framed glasses, carrying one back pack and very involved in reading his book. This guy seemed harmless enough, and with the shortage of open seats in the gate waiting area, I chose to sit next to F.M. Within two minutes, I noticed he would giggle every now and then and mutter some comment. I thought to myself, "Hmmm, his book must be pretty good." This would not have been so bad, but he began to lose track of the fact, that he was in a crowded area full of strangers, because he began to outwardly laugh and giggle, while talking to himself. I noticed some people were looking at me as well, wondering if the close proximity of our seats meant that I was with him. I chose to ignore their questioning glances and kept my head down while I tried very nonchalantly to see the title of this powerful book of giggles and self conversation. Have any of you heard of "Are you there, Vodka? It's me, Chelsea" Hmmmm. Very interesting, funny man.

Person # 2... Iron Legs. Beautiful tall model like woman, walking at pace with the best of us, wearing... stiletto heeled fashion boots! With absolutely no exaggeration, these heels must have been at least 5 inches! We're talking tippy toe walking here folks! I would not have been able to take five steps, while holding a walker, in this pair of beautiful boots, and here this chick is, kicking it down the concourse hallway like there was no tomorrow! I was in complete awe of the woman with iron legs.

Person # 3... Dog Boy. I really feel sorry for the parents that have to put a leash on their kids. I understand that this is for their own safety, because my mom had to put a leash on me when I was a wee tot. (Hmmm. This explains a few things, heh?) The looks these parents have to endure from other non understanding folks, is really nothing compared to the grief they may feel if something terrible happens to an uncontrollable child who runs off from you. While walking down the concourse hallway, I came upon such a family, waiting off to the side for their plane to start boarding. The young boy was having a good time with his tethered predicament, because he was jumping around with his tongue hanging out, and barking and yipping like a real dog. His parents didn't seem to care, as long as he didn't pull too hard, they just let him play. He stopped jumping long enough to notice me when I walked next to him, and gave me a quick smile and a pant or two. I decided to get into my inner child at that moment and gave him a playful bark in response. After, his eyes widened for a moment, he recovered quickly with an out loud giggle and we just laughed at each other as I continued past them. Nice puppy.

During a 2 hour layover in the Denver, CO airport, I discovered this Harley Davidson retail store while I was walking around. Of course I had to take a quick little look see. The first few shirts I saw had price tags on them that would have made you drop your teeth if you could. A simple T-shirt had $98.00 on it, while another one with a little more detail went for $135.00. Geez! As I meandered through the store, the very friendly clerk struck up a conversation with me. Come to find out, the three large boxes she was working out of, were all on sale. Hmmm? "Yes", she said, "just look through them. They're all $15.00 and $20.00." Jackpot! I of course found a couple of shirts to add to my bag for Harley and myself. I was very pleased with myself when I walked out of there not spending more than $35.00 and had TWO shirts! Woo Hoo!

In addition to the colorful array of people you see, and the lucky shopping stop, trying to keep up with the accurate time was another challenge. I went from Mountain time, to Eastern time, to Central time, all in an 8 hour period of time. Of course, this allows for more weirdness. Where else can you get a full Mexican meal, complete with rice and beans at 5:00 in the morning. Not only that, you can have a beer with that, or for you hard dogs... whiskey and rum is yours for the purchase! Airports are great!

I hope you forgive me for the quality of the pictures, but I tried to get some shots while I was high in the sky. I wasn't near the window much, except during my flight from Denver into Billings. I had a birds eye view.
It was really cool to watch the terrain change from flat and quilt like, to the early ripples of earth that would soon turn into mountains.
In my imagination, these clouds resembled the ocean waves breaking on a sandy surf. I thought it was kind of neat how one part of nature can mimic another part.
After all my fun flying the friendly skies, I felt like a stone skipping across the top of the water, bouncing from one airport to another. From Atlanta, to Chicago, to Denver, to Billings, then back via Billings, to Denver, to Atlanta. Not to mention, I have a two and a half hour drive between Montgomery and Atlanta, where I started all my airport fun. I appreciated the bird's eye view I had and remain amazed at the beauty our country holds.

Taking it to the road on two wheels still gives me the enjoyment and pleasure that cannot be matched, even by the view of a bird. I'm sure I'll travel by plane again, and have a little fun playing my "people watching" game. But in the mean time, riding my Glide still remains my favorite mode of travel.

Lady R

23 comments:

Webster World said...

I had to get up and move once myself. Airport was crowded. This guy I had sat next to was just plan nuts. When flying its cool to see differant areas. I mostly fly Michigan to Fla. Traveled to 29 states. Some by scoot car and air. This retirement I hope will bring more scooter riding. As for the stilettos I'll bet your man would think you'd look just fine in just a pair of them. Well the good thing is your better half does not need to leash you or does he.

Ann said...

I love flying, too. And I love to people watch! Sounds like it was a great trip. And you stole those shirts at HD for $35.00! Woo-hoo!

Glad you're back! :)

Mastercheif said...

You sure know how to tell a story. I like the 5 inch heel part and dog boy. Thanks for sharing!

Lady R (Di) said...

webster... I almost didn't sit next to Funny Man. But when I looked around, I didn't have any other options, unless I wanted to sit in between two very large men who looked like they were coming home from Lumber Jack School. (Complete with flannel shirts and suspenders!) They seemed nice enough, but the empty seat between them appeared much smaller than it was.

As far as Harley needing to put a leash on me and my wearing stilettos? Well, I'm I sure I would look good if all I had to do was stand still! And why do you think I'm trying to find out more about those stripper cages Dave over at Roads Grits was spilling about from Riff Raff! LOL! So I can be free of those stink'in leashes! I just need to know if it comes complete with pole or not! Again, LOL!

ann... Your right about stealing those shirts! Shhh! Just don't tell anyone!

masterchief... glad you liked my "People". The airports are really a funny place.

Anonymous said...

Last time I flew (it doesn't happen often) was with a group from my district to the Nation Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference in Salt Lake City. The funny people to watch were us! (well, one of us anyway...who brought her school backpack to carry-on--complete with her orange slicing knife in the pocket from snack time!) LMAO

fasthair said...

Ms. Lady R:You make me laugh! WOOF! The thought of you in 5" stilettos...WOOF WOOF WOOF

fasthair

Lady R (Di) said...

mrs. rc... I'm sure the security folks weren't nearly as impressed! Luckily your friend didn't get strip searched. That would've taken the fun out of flying real quick!

fasthair... Glad I could make you laugh. Problem is, the visual I would provide walking around in such attire would be more comical than provocative. I'm more like the Carol Burnett type! LOL!

Anonymous said...

I have done my share of flying over the last two years. About 100,000 miles worth since 2006-2008. Time to settle in a bit.

The pictures of your "birds eye view" are awesome. The two pistures before the cloud waves are of the Big Horn Canyon. Lee, the kids and i used to take our boat down that canyon. It is like 70 miles long and sheer cliffs line both sides. The water in that canyon is over 600 frrt deep!!! Don't drop your keys in the water!!

Bucky

Anonymous said...

Boy, I need to start checking my spelling before I post. A few typo's there.

Stephen said...

Last year, while people watching as I waited for my flight at Orland International, I observed a boy dressed head to toe in Disney-World paraphenalia and carrying a soccer ball, casually stroll out to the center of the concourse, do an about face placed the ball on the floor and fire a spectacular field-goal into the waiting crowd at the British Airways terminal. I howled. Dad didn't seem to impressed though, I don't know if he actually made the goal or if it was deflected off the back of anyones head. It was a spectacular shot though.

Oddly enough, whenever I bark at children or anyone else for that matter, I never seem to have a problem finding a place to sitdown in public places! Maybe you've seen me?

Ride Well

E.T.

Lady R (Di) said...

Bucky... that's cool that you know this place! Could you swim or was the water too cold? I guess something dropped there was forever gone, heh?

BTW... they have spell check on these things now! LOL! Just don't look too closely at mine!

E.T. I would have laughed at the field goal kicker also, as long as my head wasn't in the line of fire! I always thought it would be cool to have a team of Roller Derby Skaters come through one time. Could you imagine the carnage they would leave behind?

Dean "D-Day" said...

Great aerial shots!

I love people watching! We go to a lot of music and ethnic festivals around here. The people watching is superb!

And yes, almost 40 years ago, I was that barking kid on the leash.

Lady R (Di) said...

dean... the great thing about people watching, is that you can do it almost anywhere and be totally entertained!

BTW... You must not have noticed the comment I left you on your "Man Whore" post. I haven't been chastised by you yet, so either I really pissed you off, or you just didn't see it. LOL!

Mr. Motorcycle said...

Cool Aeriel photos. I think watching the changes divided by who owns what land parcel are really cool from the air. It's not so noticeable from the gound. I like you still love the bike as favorite mode of transport.

Anonymous said...

Yes you can swim in it during the summer. It actually feeds a large resivoir, and since it is so deep, the warm water keeps rising to the surface keeping much of it from freezing during the winter. We would take the boat out to the middle of the canyon, shut off the engine and jump in. (Can't really anchor the boat in 600 ft of water so someone had to stay in the boat just in case).

And wheir is thate speler chekur thengie? LOL

Dean "D-Day" said...

No, I saw your snide comments and I actually had some really good comebacks to throw at you. But I decided not engage you in a battle of wits. Being a southern redneck, I knew that you'd be at a distinct disadvantage.

And yes, I know that you're from Iowa. But there's obviously some mental defect that would make you move to the land of in-breeds. By chance is Harley your cousin?

How's that for chastising? ;)

Lady R (Di) said...

mr. m... There was one spot, where the fields, or crops of whatever I was seeing where circular. I couldn't get a good pic, but it looked like several "alien crop circles"! Cool! And never fear, motorcycling will ALWAYS be my favorite way to transport. I just wish I could do it more than I do.

bucky... that would be awesome. We used to tie a line to one of our ankles when we swam off the pontoon boat in Lake Martin. We always liked swimming in the middle. Less debris and snakes out in the middle!

dean, dean, dean... Geez! And to think I was feeling guilty. To take a great expression from our pal Dave... pftttttt! See if I go there again! LOL! And NO, Harley is not my cousin... he may be my brother from another mother, though!

P. S. Did I tell you that it was 68 degrees and sunny today? Muwahahahahaha!

Anonymous said...

almost completely off the subject, but I borrowed the book from the library after reading this post and while amusing it is not exactly full of belly laughs.
maybe thats because it isn't about motorcycles or the people that ride them? I mean a lot of these blogs are over the top as far as humor goes!

Dean "D-Day" said...

Lady R-

Ouch! Now that was cold.

Lady R (Di) said...

dave... are you talking about the "Vodka are you there? It's me Chelsea" book? While writing this post, I googled it so I could include a link (happened to be Amazon.com)and they didn't give it the greatest review either. I read one critique that said it was the desire to end the miserable drivel as the best reason to finish the book. This really makes me wonder about the Funny Man now! He was VERY amused by what he was reading! LOL!

dean... don't worry. You know what they say about "what goes around, comes around". Well, I woke up this morning to hard rain and Tornado Warnings. Now we'll get a nice blast of cold for the next few days, so I'll be in the same boat with ya. :)

Webster World said...

Back to those heals. Check out Rippen Kitten.

Lady R (Di) said...

webster... I saw those ankle breakers Bettie was wearing. Yousa!

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