Local Fun And Travel Woes

 It’s been a minute since I posted and I wish I could say I’ve been too busy, but that is not the case. I’ve just been lazy. I am currently stuck in Detroit as I missed my connection and have 4 hours to fill so writing a post seems like a good idea.

Minnewaska Lake on a chilly morning. A wedding was taking place on the rocks across the lake.

My one outing this past week was a very fun 7 mile fall hike to Gertrude's nose at Minnewaska State Park. The weather was perfect, the company fun, and the hike not too strenuous. 

Out on the cliffs.

The leaf colors are a bit muted this year, but approaching peak.

Our group of weekday adventurers: Susan, me, Esther, Peggy, and Ann Marie.

Just having a chat while hiking back to the car.

My post hike soak in the spa in my own backyard.

This was on a walk around the neighborhood admiring the foliage.

I bought the sunflowers, but the others are from my garden. I was shocked to
 see an iris blooming so I cut it for inside since we've had several frosts.

Now back to the airport in Detroit where I got stuck for 4 hours. Since Delta Airlines are never receptive to my complaints, and the injustice of it all, I may as well rant here in my personal space.

My flight from ALB to DTW was scheduled to leave at 6 am. I arrived 2 hours early as recommended, and I and most other passengers boarded on time. However, the pilot said he was going to wait 10 minutes as there was a long line at security and 30 passengers were missing. In the end he waited 35 minutes, then another 20 min. with the door shut and took off almost an hour late. 

I figured my connecting flight in Detroit would wait for me too. Wrong. I sprinted thought the airport past 27 gates and arrived just as they shut the door. They would not open the door, but proceeded to wait another 25 minutes before they left the gate. I was texting my sister who was on the plane and she was informed they would not open the gate for anyone. 

So the irony of the situation is that I was delayed because pilot #1 elected to wait for passengers who did not get their asses to the airport in good time, causing me to miss my connecting flight despite standing at the window watching the plane sit at the gate, with pilot #2 refusing to open the door for us (there were 24 of us).  I know they have protocalls that I am not privy to, but this just seemed completely unjust and wrong. I was very nice with the gate agent who rebooked me, and she gave me a $12 meal voucher which just about covered coffee and a scone. Flying is such a crap shoot lately.

Now I’m heading to San Diego 4 hrs behind my sister for a week of relaxing, sight seeing and a quick visit with my daughter who will take the train down from LA to see us. A fellow stranded passenger gave me a few travel tips, such as opting for the San Diego Animal Park instead of the zoo. Since I’ve been to the zoo twice before, I may give it a go. He also suggested Peterson’s doughnuts in Escondido which is apparently famous. Sounds good to me. I’ve got low expectations for this trip, so it’ll be great!

Later on ...

It is turning out pretty well! This is the view from our room:

We walked the beach, got some groceries, and some sleep the first day.

The room was improved greatly by an upgrade from a one bedroom/ one bath with no view to a two bedroom/two bath with a balcony and ocean view. Worth it.

A curlew on the shore.

The Batiquitos Lagoon and Nature Center was a great place for a hike. It was an olfactory hike since the smells of the the plants were heady- sage, eucalyptus, and other flowers.