Traveling...

Okay, so I didn't really sleep last night, go figure, too much nervous energy and whatnot. Three thirty finally rolls around so I roll out of bed, wide awake, and get ready to leave for the airport. Emma (my dog) is totally mad at me. She's pouting and being fussy, and I know it is because she knows I'm going to be gone a while (I feel better cause Jennifer Lineberry Carter and Adam Carter are FANTASTIC dog sitters and say she was okay when they went to take care of her for me). Well, I'm off to the airport and for those of you who don't know, I'm not a super huge fan of flying so I've been kinds worked up over this for a few days...so many flights (next time, I spend a bit extra and go more direct--the spendthrift in me wasn't thinking clearly). Charlotte to Houston is uneventful. Houston to Denver is really bumpy. Not fun. I had to keep repeating over and over again in my mind "God is in control" while breathing in "even if we crash" while breathing out. Needless to say, we didn't crash. We land in Denver and I find my final gate, and let me just tell you, I knew it would be a puddle hopper...but it was more like a spit hopper. It was itty bitty, and some might even call it eensy weensy. I nearly died as I walked up the 7 steps (yes seven) into the aircraft (or playschool toy if you'd rather). I did learn something new though. Did you know it is possible to hold your breath for an hour and twenty minutes??? Well, it is, because that is what I did! My God is in control trick worked a bit, but my mind was racing so I'll share a bit of that stream of consciousness with you for anyone who cares:

Oh, Jesus, please let me just pass out right here; they can revive me when we're back on the ground. Lord have mercy...ooh pretty mountains...oooh, not that pretty...ooh, yes, that pretty...Wait a minute...those soccer players crashed in the mountains...I do not want to be the Andes soccer players. None of these people look at all appetizing and I'm not the fittest so I'm likely to be eaten first...That's kind of a morbid thought...Snow caps in July that's fascinating and just goes to prove that God IS in control...Have mercy!

It went on like that for about an hour and twenty minutes, though a little more hysterically done in my head. Now, I will admit that it was totally awesome view, but it was also totally terrifying and I can't tell you how THRILLED I am to have to get on another plane like that on the way home. When we went into our descent I had a very clear view, because, after all, I could see out the front windshield...I kept my eye on that Altimeter, believe you me, because I could really see it from my seat! Anyway I was looking out the window, terrified and in awe at the mesas, when I see a teeny tiny airstrip. "Awe, that's cute," I thought, "What a nice private airfield someone has there..." and then we circled...closer and closer, and guess what! That little tiny airstrip was the Cortez airport. Fantastic! I stood next to them while they unloaded my luggage...we had the biggest plane at the airport. :)

Well, Cortez is about what you'd imagine with an airport like that, but it is quaint, the epitome of the west. What I find particularly amusing is that there is a liquor store every block and the legal medicinal marijuana store is a real gem :) All jokes aside, it is a cute town and I've enjoyed the explorations I did with my new friends Denise, Marjie and Lisa. While we were walking, I marveled at the sky...it is gorgeous. I've NEVER seen any thing like this. It's like an ever changing Monet painting color EVERYWHERE and against the mesa backdrop it really does remind me of God's infinite imagination. To top it off we saw a double rainbow (insert reference to you tube video here). I decided that was an excellent sign! And now, as it is 1132 eastern time (though only 932 here) and I really haven't slept in over 24 hours I'm going to pass out in this lovely hotel room and look forward to the actual first day at Crow Canyon tomorrow! :)