I prefer driving to flying. When I drive, I can do so on my own terms: leave when I choose, stop when I need to, take impromptu side trips when I get curious. But when I fly, it's all about jumping through someone else's hoops: I'm on someone else's schedule, my luggage has to fit in a box, and I'm stuck in airports while waiting for connecting flights. Yes, I prefer to drive. I like to be the person behind the wheel, in control of the vehicle. When I fly, someone else is in control. It's perfectly nerve-racking. I guess that's why I don't fly very often.
 In fact, I've flown over the Gulf of Mexico and beautiful Belize to find Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where we made what is known as "the world's trickiest landing" outside of an aircraft carrier (The takeoff is quite the experience, too!). I've sat on the tarmac in a jet while waiting for a wind and heavy rain storm to sweep through. I've flown standby, not knowing on which flight I would be granted a seat. Twice, an airline has lost my luggage. But not being what most people would call a frequent flyer, I'm always a little wary of finding my connections, having the right tickets and boarding passes, and finding all of my luggage when I reach my destination. Now, this summer, I have a tremendous opportunity - to live on George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon for five nights - but that opportunity takes me through three airports - one of which will be new to me. Once again, I will fly out of Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City., through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, but this time, my destination is Reagan National Airport.  Reagan sits just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, just a short hop from the Washington Monument, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the World War II Memorial, the White House, etc. In fact, Wikipedia says a flight into Reagan has one of the most interesting approaches in the world. Due to the no-fly zones in the District, flights must turn sharply and fall into a parallel pattern with the Potomac. If the wind is blowing my way, my left-side window seat will get me some good views of DC. Of course, passengers on the right-side may get to see the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. I've tried to time my flights (as much as schedules will allow) so that I will have enough time to make plane transfers in DFW, but I also want to spend some time at Reagan to see some of the art on display as well as some artifacts from archaeological studies of the airport land. Apparently one of Martha Washington's granddaughters was actually born on the property when it was owned by the Custis family (Martha was the widow of Daniel Parke Custis prior to marrying George Washington in 1759.  Airports usually boast some local flavor, so I'll soak that in after I check through security and before I board my flights. I like to spend time with both a restroom and my boarding gate in sight, making sure to listen for any changes in the flight schedule. Of course, technology has advanced to the point that, as long I keep my phone charged, I should receive text alerts about my flights along the way. | Flights I Have Taken Will Rogers World Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Nashville Airport: family won a trip to Opryland, Opryland Hotel, General Jackson Steamboat, and Grand Old Opry. Will Rogers World Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Orlando International Airport: honeymoon to Disney World. Will Rogers World Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Airport: Oklahoma City Schools sent me to attend professional development for Student Team Learning by Robert Slavin of Johns Hopkins. Tulsa International Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Toncontín International Airport: first mission trip to Honduras. Tulsa International Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Toncontín International Airport: second mission trip to Honduras. Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport: visit to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to see mother-in-law during treatment. Joplin Regional Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Atlanta International Airport: visit to Ron Clark Academy to observe classes in progress. Summer 2018: Will Rogers World Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Reagan National Airport: selected to attend Summer Residency Teacher Institute at Mount Vernon. |
As much as I would love to see the scenery between here and there, I also look forward to making the most of my off-time while awaiting my flights, this summer. I'm guessing I may see some interesting characters along the way, as well.
