Layovers...

Pictures from recent LAYOVERS...

Portland, Oregon

Milwaukee... Sites from Laverne and Shirley & Happy Days!

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!

We're gonna do it!

FLYING IS GOOD!

Long Layover in Florida!

Beach Appreciation and Dinner with the Crew

Flying is Good!

Macro Monday... Oregon

This month I'm spending my weekends (layovers) in Oregon... nice change from the desert. I've been enjoying the beautiful crisp air while doing some hiking.

Not bad for iphone photos?

See more Macro Monday pictures here.

Normandy and a World War II Survivor...

One of the things I love about being a flight attendant is meeting people and learning more about them.

I was on a layover in Austin this past weekend and met a cute 80 year old women named Micheline. After talking for a few minutes I learned that she grew up in Normandy, France. During World War II her family fled the bombings in Normandy to find safety in Paris. Just two weeks after moving to Paris their home was bombed. Her family waited 6 hours under the rubble for help to arrive but sadly two of her siblings didn't survive. Micheline was in the hospital for 6 months while her mom spent the year recuperating. Towards the end of our conversation Micheline said that living through World War II made her "strong as a bull".

Micheline was in Paris when the soldiers came a shore on the D-Day Beaches. A few years ago I visited the Beaches and Cemetery in Normandy.

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. Over 9000 soldiers that lost their lives in Normandy were buried there. The families of the deceased had the choice to have the remains buried in Normandy or flown home. About 60% chose to have the bodies flown home while the rest stayed in Normandy.

Sometimes we take our freedom for granted. I know I do but when you visit the D-Day Beaches and Cemetery you are grateful for the freedoms gained on June 6, 1944 on the Western coast of France. I think every American, Brit and Canadian should visit Normandy if given the chance. It's just a 2-3 hour drive from Paris. In upcoming post I'll write about things to see near Normandy.

Friday Field Trip... Boise, Idaho

I love Boise! It's one of my favorite layovers. Boise has a very cool downtown with great architecture, cool shops and restaurants.

On a recent layover I was able to spend some time with my girlfriend who is pregnant and has survived 63 days of bed rest at St. Luke's hospital. Go Lonni!

... Just one of the great perks of the job... getting paid to visit friends who live in different states!!!

Postcards from Boise...

State Capitol

Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

The Memorial sits near the Boise River. On the Memorial walls are beautiful and inspiring quotes by amazing people.

Along the Boise River is 25 miles of paths that wind through the city.

While I was walking along the River I saw college students river rafting, children playing in the river and people fishing & watching the sunset. I love Boise's relaxed atmosphere and small town feel. I finished a great layover with a chocolate dipped ice cream cone from McD's.

I've been SouthernFried... In Mississippi!

I get a kick flying through the South. I adore wide brimmed hats and the Southern drawl...

yes, ma'am,

honey,

darlin',

sugah.

I'm enchanted by plantation homes with tree lined streets... Spanish moss, lanterns, shutters, magnolia trees and the scent of Southern fried food.

Genteel Poverly

                                                                       

On a recent layover I wandered through the streets in Jackson, Mississippi wondering why I straightened my hair... the humidity creates chaos to my already naturally curly hair. I figured my hair could use Truvy's help (hair dresser in Steel Magnolias played by Dolly Pardon). Did this group of Southern women really exist? Could there be a Truvy, Annelle, Clairee, Shelby, Weezer, and M'Lynn? 

First Baptist Church 

I passed a church and thought of Annelle (A quirky religious girl played by Daryl Hannah) and suddenly heard Gospel music. I wandered in and asked Shelby, a cute Southern Belle what was going on? She told me in her sweet Southern drawl that the Mississippi Mass Choir (who sang at Obama's inauguration) was recording a DVD with the First Baptist Choir. All I can say is the SOUTH was ALIVE! My new Southern friend told me this was a historical event. The First Baptist Jackson church is a "white" congregation and this was the first time a "black" choir performed here. Wow, things are different in the South. 

Meanwhile Weezer (yes, she does exist) told us if we were going to keep talking we needed to leave. Seriously... we were in the back of the church and we were whispering.

After a long day of being SouthernFried I was plum tuckered out. I sat in front of the Mississippi Capitol and watched fire flies buzz by a group of Magnolia Tree's. 

It was the end of an amazing layover in Mississippi.

Judd Patterson

Meandering in Albuquerque...

Just back from an easy 2-day trip with a layover in Abq. Have you ever tried to spell Albuquerque? 

I did what I always do...

Put on my running shoes, 

iPod 

and I meander.  

Here's a few things I saw along the way...

Had breakfast on Historical Route 66

Cool painting of "Get your Kicks" Route 66

Saturday Farmer's Market

Paint by numbers. By an artist named Martha

Strolled through the downtown Historic area 

Back to the hotel and off to Seattle. Saw some great views of Mount Rainier!

Friday Photo... Yee Haw it's the NAKED COWBOY!

I met the Naked Cowboy in Times Square on a layover in New York. And incase your interested... You can get married by the Naked Cowboy in Times Square for $499.00 bucks!

GROUND HOG DAY?!

This past weekend I worked a 2-day trip with a long layover in San Diego.  

I got to the airport and realized it was the same trip I worked last month on Friday the 13th with the same flight attendant and a delay on the same flight (I rarely work the same trip twice and I can go years and not work with the same flight attendant).  

I was starting to feel like I was in the movie GROUND HOG DAY!  

Day 1:   Was one of those days... "I like my job, right?"

Day 2:  "I love my job!"

I went to breakfast at Perry's Cafe near Old Town.  It's popular and it was packed!  I had a yummy frittata.

Then I strolled through Old Town and went to the Saturday Market.

I met jewelry designer Efy Tal and couldn't resist my latest find... A cherry blossom necklace.  Doesn't it mean more when you actually buy from the hands of the designer?

Then I wandered behind Old Town and saw signs to a trail.  I went up a hill and through the woods (park) and found more trails in a beautiful canyon.  And somehow I managed to find my way back to the hotel without getting lost.  

Great layover in SD!

NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

It's always fun when I get to spend time with friends on a layover. Lori and I had a full day in Orange County shopping, catching a flick and checking out the Christmas lights at the Newport Boat Parade.

WASHINGTON D.C.

When I'm asked where my favorite destination is I always have a hard time answering. Many of the countries I've traveled to are unique because of the beautiful landscapes, people, history and architecture. I love different cities for different reasons.

I love Washington D.C. for many reasons...

My first visit was with my mom after high school. We visited my sister Stacy who was an intern for Senator McCain. After visiting the many museums and historical sites I felt like American history suddenly came alive! After high school I served a mission for my church in Washington D.C. and grew to love the people there. In college I did an internship in D.C. at the National 4-H Center. I was a tour guide for High School groups visiting the Nations Capitol and I learned a lot about American history and D.C. trivia.

I spent this past mothers day on an overnight in D.C. and visited some of the newer monuments. This was my first Mothers Day being a New Mom and away from home... that's the Airline Industry for you.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON

One of my favorite overnights is Spokane, Washington! It's such a beautiful town and it seems like they're always having a parade for something. Our crew hotel is right on the river and in walking distance to a gondola skyride, carrousel, outside ice skating, amusement rides and a train that takes you around the park. I always enjoy a long walk along the river after being on a plane all day. 

Another place I like to wander to is the gardens at Manito Park. I love all the roses and old historic craftsman bungalows in the area.