Monday in Colorado

I'm sitting here in Idaho Springs, Co at my brother in law's home listening to the creek run right outside their house. It's so pretty here-sunny, dry and cool. We just went on a little hike around their home-they live at the base of a mountain-and we saw lots of paint ball set up stations where my nephew and his friends have wars. The boys went for a ride in the 4wheel truck up the mountain while I have a little time to myself!

The flight to Denver went pretty good I guess. Uneventful the first 5 hours and 50 minutes. We made one stop in Dumas, TX for fuel and back into the plane. Most of our flying legs will be 3 hours or less total in one day, but for this first day when we're fresh we did the long stretch. Let me explain some airplane dynamics...there is no air conditioning in the plane and it seats 4. Inside it is the size of a Honda Civic. We have a dvd player where we can play movies and it is very loud, so we wear headphones or earplugs. There isn't a lot of talking going on-Elliot and I don't like wearing the headphones. They're hot and I feel like my head is squeezed, so I just wear earplugs and so if someone wants to say something, they have to yell! One other tidbit about the no AC part: once you are high in the air, like 9000 feet, it is plenty cool with the air vents. But, take offs and landings are hot, especially in the summer. This is usually the first and last 20 min of each flight. Well, Elliot and I were in the back trying to pass the time snoozing when we are about to land in Denver and I hear yelling. I am hot and had noticed in my slumber it was pretty bumpy. I open my eyes and see Jeff scrambling and Cameron is in the front seat totally barfing! He has been flying since he was a baby and never gets queasy. Elliot and I are the ones with weak stomachs and we always take a Dramamine. So, Jeff is trying to keep the plane stable with it bumping all over the place, there is barf all over his charts in his lap, Cameron is comatose, Elliot is sleeping through the whole thing, and I'm digging in the cargo area of paper towels. I glance at the computer on the dash and see that we are landing in 8 minutes. So, I am just trying to breath hot, stale barf air for another 8 minutes and suddenly Elliot wakes up and says he doesn't feel well. I snag the Delta airlines barf bag from Cameron and shove it to Elliot for round #2. I glance again at the dash and see there is 3 minutes to landing. So we all just sit and wait until we land and I'm so embarrassed when the airport guy drives up in his little cart to help us with bags because I know it must REEK! And Cameron is covered in it-he even has the analysis to say "I think this is the beef jerky I ate, mom." Nice. So, we pile out of the plane like some hobos and fortunately there is a shower in the pilot's lounge where I get everyone cleaned up.

We ran to the store and bought some cleaner and came back for a quick tidy on the plane because remember this is only day 1 of the 16 day trip in which we will be flying in the plane several more times! Needless to say, I may need a nose plug to wear for the next flying legs of the trip!