Tuesday - Return Home

Tuesday morning Ann Carol and Jordann met us at McDonalds for breakfast. Jordann does not have to be at school until 9 am. A city ordinance prevents private schools from beginning before 9 am in an attempt to reduce the morning rush hour traffic. Lauren starts class at the public school at 7 am.

We left Walnut Creek at 9 am driving back to the airport in Oakland about 30 miles away. There was heavy traffic in Walnut Creek and near downtown Oakland but most of the trip was easy driving. We stopped to top off the tank of our Blue Ford just outside the rental car drop off point.




We bought some snacks since the airline only serves drinks now. We intended to eat a little at the restaurant just outside security at the airport but it was getting late by the time we got there. The car was left at the rental car drop off point and we rode a shuttle bus to the airport maybe a mile away.

The security line was quite long and moving slowly but we made it through without too much delay. After security we saw an attendant with a wheelchair and Grandma got a ride to our gate. I am glad we had a guide because I was headed for the wrong end of the terminal. There was no line at the gate so we went directly onto the place. By the time we reached our seats the pilot told everyone to buckle their seat belts and we were underway within five minutes (11:50 PDT).

I was chastised for not having pictures of our trip west so I tried to get a few shots on the return to DFW. By the time we were allowed to get out our bags and electronics we were over the farmland of the San Joaquin Valley.



The flat land soon gave way to mountains and I noticed this lake that supplies water to the cities below.



There were a lot of barren rocky mountains.





New fall snow appeared on some of the highest peaks in the Sierras.




Between the mountains were wide expanses of sand and salt flats.




Occasionally there would be patches of irrigated land. Guess this area was lucky enough to have water. I think we are over Nevada now.




As we approach the canyon lands of Utah, Lake Powell comes into view. I could see the Glen Canyon Dam but it doesn't show up in the picture. It is in the narrow canyon just beneath the wing of the plane. Antelope Canyon is the dark hairline just below the dark bump on the bottom of the wing.




This is really rugged desolate country!




Looks like nothing at all grows here.




The left of this picture shows the beginning of a forest area.




Then more desert (probably near Four Corners).




Here is an area of forest with bare patches. My guess is these areas have been clear cut by logging companies.





As we approach the Llano Estacado from the west we could see the dramatic contrast between the desert land and the fertile croplands of the high plains.




Probably in Texas now somewhere south of Vega. There were lots of irrigated fields.




And an occasional cattle feedlot.




One farmer was burning his field.




Leaving the high plains probably somewhere south of Palo Duro Canyon.




Approaching Wichita Falls our pilot maneuvered around a thunderstorm.




Then we had low clouds for the remainder of the flight.


We had already put away all carry on items before we broke through the clouds and descended into DFW flying over hundreds of gas well sites.