Friday, June 27, 2008

When Will I Get To NY?

Here I sit at the Chicago airport wondering when my feet will hit NY.

My travel day has been much like my travel that I experienced on Monday. The only difference is that none of my flights have been cancelled like they were on Monday.

I've experienced delays on both my flights today. The first one was 40 minutes out of Billings. My second flight to Syracuse is delayed 2.5 hours. The flight is scheduled to depart now at 9:36 PM CST, that is 10:36 PM EST. This means that I'll arrive in Syracuse at 12:36 AM EST. Being of sound mind, I called the Airport Inn in Syracuse and will be spending the night there rather than make the 2.5 hour drive to Potsdam after I land.

In all of my air travels, I have never experienced all the problems that I have encountered on this trip. Is it the airline's fault? Apparently not since the airline tells me that the delays are due to the air traffic controllers in Chicago. I guess they had bad weather here earlier in the day, which is causing mayhem with traveling. It looks pretty nice out now - sun is shining and it is looking like it will be a beautiful sunset. I guess I'll go find a window to sit by and enjoy the scenery as long as I am here.

To all my friends in NY: I'll be home soon.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Afternoon Adventure

I decided it was time to venture out and see some of the sites around Billings, Montana today. After all, I had spent the entire morning in my room working on my marketing course that I need to finish by next week....I deserved a break, right?

I invited a colleague to join me in my afternoon excursion. Christine and I connected around 2 PM local time and discussed various options for our adventure. We both decided that we would visit Pictograph Cave State Park.

The park was only a 10 minute drive from our hotel. It was a beautiful day and nothing could have pleased me more than to be outside enjoying the scenery and weather. Enjoy the pictures.




We found this sign at the end of our walk around the park. Upon entering the park, I informed Christine that we would need to beware of rattlesnakes. Her comment "I'll have my video camera ready when one strikes." She also informed me that she had to leave her jack knife at home since she couldn't carry it on the plane.

The rock in the middle looks like a man who is guarding the canyon.


Nice blue skies.


We caught a rabbit sleeping. He really thought that he was hiding, but now he is a star on my blog. Silly rabbit.


Looking out over the horizon from the canyon.

We found a nice place to dine after our trip. We shared this dessert, which was called poached pears in a port reduction sauce. It sure was yummy and semi-healthy.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Weary Traveler & Dead End Streets

I finally arrived at my hotel last night, or should I say this morning, at 12:00 AM. Of course, this was 2:00 AM EST. I wasn't sure that I would ever get to the hotel, though.

I picked up my rental car and proceeded to diligently follow the directions that I had printed from the hotel website. What I didn't realize was that there were two route 90's. One is the business loop and the other is an interstate. The directions just said to get on route 90. Of course, I got on the wrong one. The route did get me in the vicinity of my hotel. I could see it in the distance, but couldn't find a road that would get them there. I ended up on a dead end street so many times that I lost count. In my desperation, I called the hotel and even stopped at a Day's Inn to ask for directions. They all kept telling me to go the same way - that led me to a dead end street. I figured I was either to weary or tired to understand the directions or the people didn't really understand where I was to begin with. I was finally heading in a direction where I came across a road that looked like it would bring in the vicinity of my hotel. The road took me over Interstate 90 and then intersected the road that the hotel was on. You can imagine the excitement that boiled up within me to see the road that the hotel was on. Sure enough, I turned on this road and it took me right to the hotel.

Today was a better day for me. I rested a lot this morning and then gave my presentation this afternoon. I'm having a quiet evening in my hotel room and am looking forward to turning in early tonight.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Flight Cancelations & Delays

I should be well on my way to Billings, Montana by now, but I'm still stuck at the Syracuse airport.

I promptly arrived with another co-worker this morning at 6:20 AM to discover that our first flight was cancelled. Re-booking flights to Billings was not an easy task. My co-worker was able to get on a flight that left at 7:10 AM, but I was unable to. I am scheduled to depart in 30 minutes (3:15 PM). I get to fly through Cleveland and Minneapolis. If everything goes according to plan, I will arrive in Billings at 10:40 PM MST, that is 12:40 AM EST. I am thankful that my presentation isn't until 3:15 PM tomorrow. I think that I will sleep in tomorrow morning.

What have I been doing since this morning? The hotel that I stayed last night was gracious enough to let me check back into my room. Being a seasoned traveler, I did what any traveler would do - rest and sleep. I needed this rest since I've been on the go so much for the past few weeks. I'm sure that I'll sleep on the airplanes too.

That is my travel update for now. The flight attendant just indicated that we will be boarding in 10 minutes. Need to close for now.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Home Adventures

Okay, I know that in my previous post today I said I like to travel. I do, but I also like being home too. When I am home, you can find me doing one of these favorite activities: kayaking, working out at the fitness center, or sitting next to the river drinking coffee.

Tonight I got to work out at the fitness center and then have coffee next to the river. To my surprise, some friends were gathered their having a great time of walking the banks and swimming. I truly enjoyed my cup of coffee with them and I even got to snap some photos of them.


Traveling Adventures

I am in a season of traveling for the next month. I actually just counted and I will only be home 9 days out of the next 28 days.

My travel plans include trips to the Albany, NY area, Billings, Montana, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and the Thousand Islands.

I have fun traveling and like to travel. There are many adventures that I can find myself participating in when I travel. The pictures below show some of the adventures of my most recent trip from this past weekend.


Reconnecting with some old friends Evelyn & Esther


A cowboy with three cowgirls

Glad to be back from the trail ride


Out on the trail

Monday, June 09, 2008

A Tribute to a Friend

Today was a special day for a friend of mine. It was Bonnie's birthday. We had a nice birthday dinner here.


Bonnie is one of my friends that sticks closer than a brother. She has the ability to bring a smile to my face even when I don't feel like smiling. She is my "go to" lady when I need prayer since I know she prays without ceasing. She brings out a part of my personality that no one else can; guess what part that is. Bonnie is also compassionate and listens with a learned ear; sometimes the wisdom that she has blows me away.


Bonnie and I have been through a lot together as friends. We've grown through the bumpy and the good times of our friendship. It doesn't matter what we've been through - we will always have the special bond between us called friendship.


Happy birthday, my dear friend. Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me. Love ya.




Sunday, June 08, 2008

Pileated Woodpecker Visit

My dad and I were drinking our morning coffee yesterday when we heard the sound of a woodpecker. I looked up and before my eyes was this Pileated Woodpecker on the nearby apple tree. I initially thought that this was a red-headed woodpecker, but further research on Google showed that it was a Pileated Woodpecker. This woodpecker was huge and was certainly enjoying the feast that the tree was offering. This was evident from the pile of bark shavings that laid below his red head.

Father and Fishing

I celebrated Father's Day with my dad this weekend - I know you're probably thinking "Laura, Father's Day is next weekend." Indeed it is, but I won't be able to be with dad next weekend since I will be out of town.

I traveled to the Thousand Islands area Friday night and we went to dinner at Bonnie Castle's Crystal Dining room. This is a large dining area that is glassed in offering breathtaking views of Boldt Castle and the St. Lawrence River. The dining experience was the best: great views, soft piano music played by Austin, food absolutely delicious (Sue-carrot cake passed the father's test), and conversation never ending. We topped the night off by scrolling out in front of Bonnie Castle along the shores of the St. Lawrence taking in more of the beautiful views.

When we returned to dad's place, I gave him a picture tour of my life for the last month with the photos that I had taken of my move, the pink house, and our last WIM meeting at CFC. He truly enjoyed it. We both went to bed early because we had an important trip scheduled for the next morning - fishing.

Fishing, yes I love to fish. I grew up on the river fishing since my dad is a Thousand Island's fishing guide. I think I had a fishing pole in my hand before I could walk. Some of my fondest memories are of our times on the river fishing, swimming, water skiing, etc. etc. I go fishing with dad every chance that I can. I can't beat spending hours on the water enjoying my dad's company and taking in the peace that comes from just being on the water. It doesn't really matter if we don't catch anything, but we did catch lots of perch yesterday, just being together and enjoying the time is enough for me.

We got back to shore and dad cleaned the catch of the day. I stood by watching and taking in all that he was doing, just like I used to when I was a kid. The afternoon ended by us having lunch together and then I was off to my next adventure: dinner with friends on the shores of the Grasse River.

Before leaving my dad, I gave him a Father's Day card and a plaque. The card had a picture of a trout on it and the plaque was titled "The Ten Commandments of Fishing." He proudly hung the plaque in his fishing room where all his other fishing memorabilia is located.

Thanks dad for a wonderful time. I love you and can't wait for our next outing. Happy Father's Day.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Free to Express Praises

I had hopes that the rain would stop and blue skies would appear. Why? I needed to wet my kayak and paddle the river that is now my next door neighbor. So when the blue skies peaked through, I got my boat, paddle, life jacket, and headed for the water.



I began to paddle my way to one of my favorite spots when I noticed something different. What were those beautiful sounds that I was hearing? It was the sounds of chirping birds. They were everywhere and it sounded like they were singing praises to the Lord. I don't know much about birds, but these sounded like a well practiced choir. The sounds followed me as I continued to paddle up river.



I began to think about the sounds and how the birds seemed to freely express their chirps. They were free to sing as they pleased. Isn't this how God desires us to worship Him - to freely express our praises to Him as we seem fit to do so? I'm reminded of David even as I write this. David was free to worship the Lord and praised Him with singing, dancing, and playing instruments. David didn't care who was around or watching him. He freely praised the Lord with his whole heart.

As I paddled back to shore, I found myself chirping my own praises as an expression of my love to my Father in heaven. It was wonderful to be free as the birds to sing my own praises to the Lord.