on tour v

I’m on tour once again, soon to take my seat in my chair in the sky for the fifth music concert in 2025.

Fog ruled the drive from home as we turned onto Highway 441 south.

Descending to Tallulah Falls Dam as the sun rose was glorious.

I’m headed to Seattle to see Patti Smith in concert.

“Patti is known to many as the queen of punk rock. She excelled in the genre, in many ways, before it even was one.” American Songwriter.

Traveling in the midst of the government shutdown brought a lot of angst to me. In the last several days prior to my flight, I was not at peace about flying. Flight may be cancelled? Security masses? I changed my flight a few times. At 1am this morning, I made the final change.

A short four hours of sleep later, my alarm went off. That was a short night. I quickly dressed and packed. From our turn on Highway 441, travel to Hartsfield-Jackson was just over two hours. That’s quick in my experience.

Pulling up to the terminal, I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen videos of crowds backed up in airports across the US, and in particular, mine… waiting to go ever-so-slowly through security. I took a deep breath as I walked through the doors, and stepped into …. Chaos? Well, not quite.

Just imagine my, and other travelers, surprise. The extra time gave me a lovely three hours in the Delta lounge. When it was time for me to leave the lounge to board my flight, I hailed a wheelchair for the rather long trek from terminal T to terminal A to terminal B to terminal C to terminal D. Planes, trains, elevators, and a long ride to my gate.

On our way!

“If you feel good about who you are inside, it will radiate.” Patti Smith. I felt great about myself. I had fretted yet did not let myself freeze in place. I felt very good about who I am inside.

It was a beautiful day to fly for five and one-half hours.

Mount Rainer was out as we descended. It’s always a thrill to see!

As I wait for my traveling friend to arrive, I’m seated in the fancy Delta One lounge. Normally one can only access an airline lounge prior to one’s flight. And normally only Delta fliers who fly first class and have a high-end credit card AND are departing, can access the DELTA ONE lounge. Yet, here I am, seated as I await.