Wednesday, June 16, 2010

(Day 167) Some days are diamonds, some days are stones ...

I think I could turn this blog into a musical today. We could start off with "Leaving, on a jet plane ...", followed by "On the road again ..." and then of course today's title song "Some days are diamonds, some days are stones ...".

Well, at least we reached our destination safely. finally! Here's about the only shot I could take today, given the circumstances. I took this in Charlotte, NC when they were starting to fix a flat tire on the plane. This the captain discovered after we'd taxied out to the runway and were about to start the takeoff roll. Captain: "we have an indication that we have a flat tire; we have to turn back to the terminal where I'm sure it'll only take them 30 seconds to check it and we'll be on our way." 30 seconds became 2 hours since a brake problem was also discovered. Of course that all took place after an earlier 1-1/4 hour delay. Definitely stones today.

(18-55mm  f8  1/1000 sec  ISO200)
















Of course, there was a really cool cloud formation along the way after the delays, which somewhat made up for the day's problems. (and since I've been up since 04:00 a.m. I'm calling it a day).

(18-55mm  f8  1/1250 sec  ISO200)

32 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow-get some rest my friend, you've earned it!!

One time... when I was on my way home from Vegas, I got stuck on the tarmac in a plane for 3 hours. (Not that huge of a delay, I know. but the story is interesting...) The reason we couldn't get off the plane? Tornados. In Denver. Apparently that's pretty rare. Anyway... at one point the pilot got on the intercom and said "attention passengers... we are still experiencing delays due to the tornado... warning. In fact... interesting thing: if you look out the windows on the left side of the aircraft, you can see a tornado!!!"

Just about peed my pants, I'm not ashamed to tell you that. LOL! But... I was riding in first class so I just ordered another drink. I figured if I'm going out, I might as well go out in style. ;o)

Scott Law said...

This day was a stone for you, but I do love your cloud photo. Have a good rest.

Anonymous said...

Funny, my aunt's flight was delayed twice today too. Wouldn't that be something if you were on the same plane!!

Your cloud shot is just AWESOME! Glad you were awake to get it! ;)

I'm glad you made it safely!
{'ô ] Avery

Dagmar said...

Uh stone's hey. Yea right same days here.
Hope things went safe after all the delay's.
And that cloud photo is just unbelievable.
Hugs Dag

darlin said...

Rick the positive is that they figured out the plane had problems BEFORE you left, what's a two hour wait to make it safely? A pain in the butt I'm sure but you made it to your destination safe and sound.

The photo of the clouds is amazing, it's so beautiful it makes me want to get on a plane just to take photos of clouds if nothing else!

Enjoy your trip, I hope it's a vacation and not work. We all need some time away and fun in the sun every now and again in my nonprofessional opinion. ;-)

My name is Riet said...

That clouds picture is a beauty Rick. Weren't they supposed to check the plane before they were going to fly and let the people enter it?
Rotten start.

Unknown said...

The clouds are amazing :-)

Greetz,

Joseph

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

LOve the cloud picture.Have a great day after you get some rest.For that matter have a great day while you are getting some rest. :)
Blessings,Ruth

Sharon M said...

Great clouds, but I leave flying to the birds.

S. Etole said...

It's diamonds for us in that cloud formation ...

imac said...

So Rick, where are we off to then? lol

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear you arrived safely.

I soooo love the second shot of the sky.. Love how that one cloud look like a mountain

Teté M. Jorge said...

Gostei das nuvens...

Beijos.

Rick said...

@Krista - wow, I think I'd have followed through with the peeing part! Sitting in a tin cigar with a tornado threatening - I don't care who you are - that's SCARY!

Rick said...

@Scott - thank you Scott; did get a reasonable rest today.

Rick said...

@Photog Ave - yes, she just might have been if she was flying out of Charlotte! And thanks - I think I dozed off here and there but managed to keep an eye on the clouds to get this,

Rick said...

@Barefoot from Heaven - thanks Dag - we did make it safely; in the end I was glad they fixed things - no shortcuts for air safety!

Rick said...

@darlin - yes, I tried to put it in perspective (but a FLAT tire and brake problems ?? and the captain finds out before the mechanics ?) But you're right - much better safe than sorry.

Thanks for your kind words. It is a small vacation and we're enjoying it. Hope your week is going well.

Rick said...

@Riet - ja Riet - dacht ik ook; maar we zijn uiteindelijk veilig hier gekomen. Dank u wel en fijne dag.

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - thanks Joseph; they were very interesting for most of the trip.

Rick said...

@Ruth's Photo Blog - thank you Ruth. We did get somewhat caught up on rest; maybe a little more tonight :)

Rick said...

@S. Etole - thank you Susan; it reminded me of an anvil on top and popcorn on the bottom.

Rick said...

@Sharon M - can you imagine the great photos birds could make!

Rick said...

@imac - perhaps I'll leave that a bit of a mystery for now and see if my photos provide clues; if not by the time we have to return then I'll reveal all.

Rick said...

@M. Hassan - thank you M - yes, it does look like a towering mountain (I always take my camera on a flight and hope that the clouds are nice - I have a lot of cloud shots)

Rick said...

@teca - thank you teca!

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

amazing perspective...regards

Marie said...

SUPERBE CIEL §

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thank you Costea.

Rick said...

@Marie - merci Marie !

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

I've had stone days...love the way you recorded it!

Rick said...

@Jeanne Klaver - thanks Jeanne! It's been added to my tome of travel stories.