A little excitement for the day…

It figures.  The one time I don’t have my camera gear with me, something interesting happens.  I took this with my phone (AT&T 8525).  I just recently picked it up and haven’t had a chance to really get the hang of it. So, the pictures kinda blow…

Anyway, I was in Houston today on my way to Austin and my co-workers and I stopped for a bite to eat in one of the food courts facing the runway.  As we were sitting there, we noticed that the firetrucks were sitting across the airport with their lights flashing.  We didn’t see anything going on and the airport was still accepting flights.  We sat there a few more minutes until a small commuter plane zipped by from the left with its nose on the ground.  It slid quite a ways, but the pilot seemed to have things under control and kept it on the runway. 

I’m sure it wasn’t too fun for the passengers.   I’ve only had one close encounter in all my years of travelling.  It was an aborted takeoff at Dallas airport.  We started rolling down the runway, picked up most of our speed, and then all of a suden near silence.  No more engine noise.  Just the noise and feel of the brakes being applied.  Apparently one of the engines started to over heat and the pilot didn’t want to risk it.  Good call…

The picture is pretty crappy.  For some reason I couldn’t get it to zoom in.  The plane is just under the 4 in the gate number (41). 

It didn’t seem to impact the airport much.  Flights were still going in and out and out flight left on time about 40 minutes after we saw this happen.  Funny thing (???) about this is that no one in the food court area really noticed what was going on.  Guess they were tied up in their own plans and the food in front of them.  I’ll dog around and see if this pops up in the local news.

The adventures continue…

R

N83

Some days … Well … Do I need to say more?  To live the life of a horse…

R

A Week In Montana - Part II - Heading down the 191 to Big Sky…

So where was I… Ahhh yes, sucking in that fresh, clean mountain air like a typical city slicker…

After heading out of the airport and getting the rental car (a flex fuel Didge Durango… Interesting), we make our usual stop at the Albertsons, load up on a few supplies, and head on down the 191 to Big Sky.

It’s a relaxing drive through a few little towns, quite a few farms, and then you go through Gallatin Gateway.  That’s where the rocks, river, and mountains start.  It’s a beautiful view.  Fly fisherman (and women) in the water, kyakers, and river rafters can be seen all along the river.  After about 45 minutes, we’re in Big Sky.

I always find this drive interesting.  With all the driving you do in this part of the country (nothing is close), we never seem to have the radio on when we’re driving around.  No music, no news, and defintely no traffic updates.  :-)  Just a lot of big country to take in and conversation to have.

It’s such a departure from living in a big city… Oh crap, is it that late already???  Gotta save the rest of this for another day.  It’s late and I’m beat.  The picture above should give you an idea of the beautiful scenery out there.

Enjoy….

R

A sad day in South Florida…

Today, for the third time in about two months, there has been another police involved shooting.  Unfortunately, it was another officer that was the victim.  While pulling over an erratic driver, 4 police officers were shot.  One of those officers passed away upon arrival at the hospital.

More details can be found here.

Six officers in two months… I just don’t understand…

R

A Day of Remembrance

We remember….

The Victims

The Survivors

The Families

The First Responders

The People Dedicated to Clearing the Site

The Soldiers

The NYPD and NYFD

And everyone else who has been touched by this…

 

A 9/11 memorial in a cemetery in Putnam Valley, New York.

R.