You Can't Get There From Here
I couldn't have known that my red-eye flight would land on the day that over 90% of the flights in and out of PDX would get canceled, as a result of Storm Helena dumping snow and freezing rain all over the country. Most of the airport, including stores, restaurants and airline counters, had shut down by 6pm. My flight to Newark was the last one sheduled to go, at 11pm, and I think that's only because they didn't want to park it and let it accumulate ice overnight. After multiple delays and an hour of de-icing on the tarmac, there was collective relief to finally be in the air at 2:30am. I'd brought my own pillow and blanket, thinking I'd get a few hours of sleep... it was not to be. There was a little baby across the way that was good as gold, but the guy in the seat behind her kept those of us around him awake with his truly awful snoring. All of you who've had seats at the rear of a plane know how noisy the engines are back there. Well, they were no match for this guy. We suffered through the rumbling only to have him wake himself up and then proceed to hiccup loudly for the next half-hour. I'm not sure if it was the snoring or a hiccup that woke him. If I had been next to him, I think he might have felt an accidental elbow.
I won't bore you with the details of my connecting flight from Newark to Burlington, except to say I was evilly delighted to see a pilot flying standby get booted off in favor of our luggage (this after more delays and time on the tarmac while they sorted the fuel/weight situation). I'm not sure what it says about my character that it made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Oh, wait, I think the elbow comment cleared up any question about my character. :)
After waiting for a few other delayed artists, we were taken by shuttle bus to the Studio Center, given an excellent dinner and shown to our rooms. I was glad to fall into bed under warm covers. I woke up this morning to minus-seven degrees and Sunshine. Johnson is a darling little town, other than the coffee (more on that next time), and my studio is warm. I've spent the day getting oriented and gathering supplies. I'm excited!
Warmest regards,
Rachel
Intrepid Traveller
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