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| Old Michigan Central Railroad bed |
It has been a weird winter. Actually, it hasn’t been very winter-like as we have not had much cold weather. Finally, this past weekend, we had enough snow to ski so Sunday, after church, I headed out with a couple of friends and we skied the Paul Henry Trail along the old Michigan Central Railroad bed from Irving to Middleville. It’s a nice trip that I’ve made many times before (on a bike and in a canoe). After two days of snow, it was a beautiful day with the sun bright although low in the sky. In Middleville, we rested at Champs Bar and Grill, where I enjoyed a pint of Newcastle and half a dozen spicy chicken wings.
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| Thornapple River | |
| On Monday, it warmed up and the snow began to melt. I also turned double-nickels. Unfortunately, my birthday was hectic as I had to get stuff done before heading out Tuesday for a conference. I’ll be in Orlando till Friday. The flight down was a little exciting (and long) as the plane had to abort a take-off on the runway. The pilot said an alarm had gone off in the cockpit and the plane had to go back to be checked by maintenance. We sat on the plane for two hours, but to Delta’s credit they did everything to make it pleasant, giving us extra nuts and drinks while we waited and the flight attendant even did a dance. While we waited, they also re-booked those of us who had connecting flights.  |
| Thornapple River |
Newcastle and chicken wings make it almost worthwhile to be out in the cold. :)
ReplyDeleteNice to hear that Delta treated you well, as I have lately seen a few bad reports.
ReplyDeleteIt is tiresome to complain about today's air travel experience and I prefer to remember those happy years of the late '40s and early '50s -- not quite leather helmet and silk scarf, but close -- when a short hop in a DC-3 was a thing of romance and we passengers were co-adventurers with the crew, and not watched warily as potential security risks who may be clamped in irons if our request for extra peanuts is misinterpreted.
I for one never complain when pilots exercise caution with warning lights while on the ground. It always seemed easier to fix them there than at 30,000 feet!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't mind a little snow for a walk in the woods. Thornapple is a beautiful name for a river. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday (belated)!
ReplyDeleteBetter to abort on the runway than 500 feet in the air.
Have a good conference and a safe trip home.
Cheers.
Enjoy your time down south and I hope the weather is terrific for you! A belated Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Sage. I swear I can remember when you hit the big 5-0 (nickel and naught?). If that's the case, we've been here awhile and man, I'm feeling old.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. I glad the plane had it's hissy fit on the floor than at height. And when you say abort are we talking about them dropping off after the power hits you in the back. Or had they just pushed you back ?.
ReplyDeleteWe've had no snow so far this year. I'm about two hundred weight below normal usage for coal this year. I'm a bit shocked about that as it has seemed a far colder and darker than normal.
I hope the rest of the trip was good. I tried to comment the the other day and experienced technical difficulties. Happy 55th!
ReplyDeleteLovely snowy shots. Too bad about the flight.. I hope the rest of your trip makes up for it. A Belated Happy Birthday to you.. you young puppy!
ReplyDeleteONE WORD-- Dang that's cold! OK so I was shivering and that was 3!!
ReplyDeleteJ
Happy belated birthday!
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