Aamused in Austin, TX

I moved to Texas right about the time this airport opened. For the next 17 years it was my home base. It's where friends and family (and me) flew in and out of. Later, I worked there first at the old AMFAC hotel (My father built the West tower--which they imploded in the last two years to make way for a new international terminal) and then working for British Caledonian Airways. I was also a travel agent at one point. Safe to say over the years, I've clocked well over 200,00 air miles in and out of this bloody airport. I feel like I grew up under it's flight pattern. It helps that I love to fly, love to travel.

Last night as we dropped down to our approach, I immediately looked to find familiar land marks. DFW metroplex has sprawled so in the 15 years I've been gone "landmarks" in the dark for me pretty much consist of large dark splotches I recognize still as the various lakes. Sure enough we were coming in from the Northwest at an angle across HEB, Grapevine and Coppell. I could see Lake Lewisville and get my bearings. We turned due south and zoomed out over Arlington before turning north-nosed to land into the wind. So it's not like I don't know where I am right?

I swear to every pantheon of the gods (a long list) that the longest part of any flight to DFW these days is AFTER you hit the ground. in terms of square acreage it just IS NOT THAT BIG. For crying out loud people. I would have sworn we'd landed in MINERAL WELLS and were just hoe-de-do-ing down the interstate. GREYHOUND would have gotten me to the terminal faster than DELTA did!! Sheesh. The last few years that I've changed planes in DFW or come to visit family this has been the case. I never remember it USED to taking this long. It's as if the pilot is going around asking for directions or waiting for the drive through at Sonic! Least they could do is get me a raspberry lemonade.

My sister's two dogs (whom I'd not met yet) are wonderful and complete handfuls! A nearly 2 year old full sized Beagle (Cat, he reminds me of your pictures of Buster!) and a 4 month old Malamute who is already 60 lbs and growing like a weed.

This morning breakfast with the mental units, I mean parental units.

Ciao for Niao.