What Happens in the Local Airport after Midnight?

I have the opportunity, I guess more often than I would really like, to see first hand the answer to the title question.

The airport is Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood-Marshall Airport. Affectionately known as BWI.

BWI Concourse D after Midnight,
September 17, 2010

I live 10 minutes from the airport. I have realized that because I live so close, when friends or family are arriving all they have to do is call me from the aircraft when the plane lands, as soon as they allow cell phones to be turned on, and I have plenty of time to get to them before they deplane and retrieve their bags. I usually check into the Cell Phone lot and await the call that the bags have been found and they are ready to depart.

It is really convenient.

But after midnight--the bustling place that during the day is BWI--with often 30 minute waits to make it through security, becomes a ghost town.

It is really weird to be walking through the deserted concourses.

And I was arriving on a scheduled flight just a bit early--not even late! And because I was on United (my favorite airline) I knew from listening in on the pilots communications that there were about three other flights arriving within a few minutes of us.

The people in the image are my fellow fliers who also rode United flight 168 from Denver to Baltimore.

For over three hours, we had been confined in a close space. Closer than friends. But once the cabin door was opened,  all I saw of my flight mates was their backsides. Everyone was in a hurry, streaming past the closed and deserted shops to retrieve baggage and make their way home or to their true final destination.

I know some had a long trip.

I was lucky.

Withing 45 minutes of landing (not deplaning, but from when the wheels touched the runway) I was home.

I had passed through the ghostly empty airport.


I also got lucky on a shuttle ride to the parking lot. It is so rare when the shuttle pulls up just as I arrive at the pick-up point.

And the truck roared to life as I turned the key.  It carried me home to complete the trip.

I hope everyone else who rode Flight 168 with me into the deserted BWI had a smooth trip.





It is good to be home--because after midnight at BWI, nothing happens.

Out the Hotel Window, Part 3

Well, scary enough, it was a three day trip to two cities so I have three parts it seems. I took one image every morning to see if I could find something different to see out of the windows.

Denver Skyline September 16, 2010
from Aurora Doubletree

Yesterday morning, I moved over to one side of the window, in the early pre-dawn light and off in the distance I could see the skyline of Denver.

It was so far away--

I zoomed my iPhone camera to the max setting and snapped a couple images hoping to get lucky.

Maybe I did--

But I learned that when looking out the hotel window, move around a bit. This awesome skyline shot was obscured form the center point of the window by the corner of the building--but by moving a bit to the right, I was able to change the blah view of the day before into something that is etched in my mind to remember.

All too often when I travel, I just leave the shades and curtains closed in my hotel room.

I'm too busy computing, or reading, dressing, or catching up on the news to notice what is happening outside.

I guess, I've changed.

Out the Hotel Window, Part 2

Sometimes the view isn't what we would like it to be. Just the same old stuff that even in the dawn light really isn't that different or unique.

Even so, the color saturation of dawn is just beautiful.

Yes, I forgot to turn my lamp off so there is a reflection in the window.

But still--I have to admit, the view from here is far better than the view from my office window.

Oh, I forgot, my office does not have a window.

Ugh!

We should enjoy what we have and what we see. I was in an office earlier this week that had an unobstructed view of Pike's Peak!

Can you spell j-e-a-l-o-u-s?

The View is Awesome

Traveling reminds me that I sometimes love to take a moment to admire the view.

And the having a means to record what the eye sees is the close second to the views--even if it is not going to be an award winning image--it reminds me of the great things I see along the way.

I have seen some great things. My iPhone camera really helps me remember them.

Like this shot from yesterday.

Pike's Peak is the mountain that every spot in the city is designed to be able to see--and they can.

It was a bright day--with puffy clouds and a hot sun.

Wish you were here with me.

Out the Hotel Window

I often look out the windows of the hotels I stay in to see the area.

Usually, it is a pretty boring view--of the swimming pool or and expressway.

This morning though, from downtown Colorado Springs, I caught the sunlight and rays behind the buildings of the city.

I know if I had a better camera, I could actually capture the sunlight and the rays the same way that my eye see it--but alas, I don't.

But--I looked out at just the right time to see the sun's rays silhouetting the buildings--

Another day away from home. Although I'm in familiar territory, there is so to be amazed at like the first time all over again.

But the scene remains etched in my memory--just for a bit.

Perhaps it caught my imagination because I was on the second floor of the hotel--and not the eighth.

Who knows.

Ethan, Master Climber

To the top of the jungle gym!

Atop the world and to quite a line from a movie: "I'm the king of the world!"

He is getting to be so big.

I can't believe it.

And on this particular clear day, he could see forever from his vantage point.

I remember when he was afraid to climb up the jungle gym.

Now look at this daredevil.

History at O'Hare

Walking through the terminals of airports during lay overs can is usually a fascinating experience.

Here in Chicago's O'Hare airport is an F4F-3 which saw fame in action during the Pacific Campaign defending the USS Lexington from land based Betty bombers. Lt O'Hare became an ace in shooting down five bombers from one of these aircraft and damaging a sixth.

He was decorated with the Medal of Honor for his actions.

And now you know

Monday Musings - September 13, 2010

1. Patriots Day--a sobering reminder that the world is not the place we would like it to be. The forces of darkness and evil are still out there waiting for us to slip up, become weak, or believe that they've gone away. They have not!

2. I have discovered a corollary to the phrase: "A watched pot never boils." It is: A watched clock never ticks!

3. Owing no one anything other than to love them is really hard sometimes.

4. Despite what some would like to believe--the world is not a safe place outside the borders of the US.

5. Sometimes it is hard to do what is right or to say what is right; especially when it is unpopular.

6. Zealot. What is a zealot? Someone who believes more strongly than you do.

7. Quote of the day: "I figure the faster I pedal, the faster I can retire." Lance Armstrong

8. Rain finally broke the 19 straight days of sunny skies and the ground just drank it up. I don't think there was any runoff.

9. Traveling in America today really is a pain.

Going to the Dogs

So how did I spend the first Sunday of football season?

Well watching the Red Zone channel and serving as a warm lap for two dogs.

Makayla is pretty obvious in the front. But look to the right and behind Makayla and there is Florence my daughters Italian greyhound.

At least I'm good for a warm lap.

Summer Gardens

Summer gardens are the toughest it seems.

Springtime gardens are the easiest--there are all kinds of bulbs and flowers we expect to see in the springtime, but summer--well. the gardens take a beating and it is tough to work the blooms out so that something is blooming all of the time.

I especially enjoy the impatiens. Especially this years sine the ones pictured here were not planted by us--they came back after the winter and are now blooming merrily in the garden.


We have installed an auutomatic watering system to help keep these plants happy through the dry days of summer--and it apepars they are pretty happy. The hydrangea seems to have adapted to its location, although, if I were brave enough to take a picture of it, it would be clear that the hostas at the other end of the garden are getting too much sun and not enough water. Our watering system does nto reach them.

The joys of gardening--and springtime digging and moving plants from one location to another.

Gardens--they give us something to do and then enjoy. Our work and planning coupled with water, sun equals enjoyment.