Carpentering for the Carpenter

We had an interesting trip back from San Diego. Larry and Jeannie dropped us off at the airport in good time and we were soon checking in. Flying out over the Pacific Ocean was different for me. A little unnerving for a "landlubber."

Coming into San Francisco we had a great view of the golden gate bridge and much of San Francisco Bay. Back on the ground we had a long wait for our connecting flight on Air Canada. Where we were waiting was in full view of the runway. We could see planes taxiing out to take off and we could also see other jets coming in out of the clouds and landing. I was amazed at the steady stream of air traffic both coming and going on the same runway.

Colleen decided to take a few pictures. That's when I realized that I'd left my ***** in San Francisco. (More about that in a moment.)

When we boarded our Air Canada plane we were back in familiar territory. It was the same model of plane we'd flown down on. And when the flight attendant started announcing things in French, I knew were headed back to Canada.

In Calgary we had the quickest check through customs we had ever had. We were through in a few seconds. On the ground in Calgary, we felt like we were "back home!"

Getting on the plane for the final leg to Edmonton was another experience of Canadian reality. The plane was a small, 50 passenger, Dash 8 turbo prop. The ramp to the plane took us outside onto the tarmac and up a short set of steps into the little airplane, in -15 degree weather. We hadn't boarded a plane that way since some of our first trips in and out of Whitehorse in the Yukon.

Snacks on the short (45 min) flight consisted of a 2 oz. cup of water and an even smaller amount of little cheezies. Fortunately we had some Clodhoppers and Cashews from the previous flight. Half way along we could see the lights of Red Deer below us so I started looking around for other towns I knew were in the area. Then there it was almost below us! My home town of Ponoka was quite distinct and I could identify a number of the streets. Truly a wonderful experience of feeling at home.

We had a gentle landing in Edmonton and were soon stepping out into -20 degree weather. The walk up the long enclosed runway into the terminal spanned two years. I stopped long enough to give Colleen a New Year's kiss.

(Actually the walk was only a couple of minutes, but the timing was perfect!)

A shuttle bus took a full load of passengers and luggage out to the economy parking lot. We found our car under a blanket of four inches of snow. When I opened the door the interior light did not greet me. And when I turned the key in the ignition... nothing! Colleen waited in the check out booth as the parking company's booster truck was coming and I exposed our vehicle. By the time we left the airport an hour of the new year had already become history. Another hour later we were glad to be curling up in a warm bed at Brian and Suzanne's home in Camrose.

What did I leave in San Francisco? When Colleen asked for the camera, I reached down beside me for my carry on bag. No bag! We had moved seats so I looked around a bit to no avail. Then Colleen said: "Check the washroom, maybe you left it there." No such luck. I was sure I hadn't taken it there anyway but I was thinking about where it might be. I knew I had taken it through security. So I went back to security. Sure enough they had it and I was so glad to be back in one piece! I blame it on my cowboy boots, (and maybe my age). It took me a while to my boots back on after going through security and I didn't make sure I picked up the bag. So in the end all I left in San Francisco was "that awful sinking feeling."

Thank you Lord

Happy New Year Everyone!