Oklahoma City, OK (USA)

I thought yesterday was hectic - today changed my mind... I had no problem waking up this morning (surprising, actually) and I was on time for the brief (0500). We had some maintenance issues but got airborne around 0715. Weather was great - not a cloud at all. Great views of Pennsylvania all the way to the Ohio valley - then even better scenery (Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana). Visibility was tremendous - we could see for miles in every direction. Things changed after we crossed the Mississippi River - clouds were forming west of central Missouri. By the time we got to Oklahoma City, there were actually thunderstorms and driving rain. We managed to find a hole and landed with just some gusty wind (0915L). Parked at the AAR ramp and got out of the aircraft - just as the skies opened up! I got pretty wet but had to change clothes anyway... We finished up our paperwork and I put on my suit (first time I've ever traveled in it). One of the maintainers drove us to the terminal of Will Rogers airport (just a two minute drive) and we got checked in for our Delta flight back to Philadelphia. It was at this point I learned two crucial things: (1) Chris couldn't get on the overbooked flight and (2) I was flying on ASA (Delta Connection). I HATE them - they always break or are severely overbooked. Chris said he didn't need to get back early and had a later ticket - so Ragan and I got on the Delta RJ just before 1100. I was blessed with the last seat in the packed aircraft (against the engine and no recline). As if to apologize, the nice flight attendant took my jacket and hung it in the coat closet. Things looked tolerable until the passenger in the seat next to me sat down. He had about the worst body odor smell I have EVER encountered and he must have weighed nearly 400 pounds (I'm not sure about that, but his belly came over into my seat - over the arm rest - and he couldn't buckle his seatbelt or lower his tray table). By this point, I was really dreading the flight to Atlanta. Luckily, I had visited the rest room before we left because I couldn't move at all for the next hour plus. When we landed in Atlanta (at around 1400L) I had to wait for a very long time to get off the aircraft and then run from the A to B terminal to make my connecting flight - there was barely enough time to make our 1450 departure. Ragan was waiting and that made it quicker, since he had investigated our route. The next leg was much better - I had an aisle seat and the middle one was empty. We landed around 1700 back in Philadelphia. Ragan told me his leg of the trip trumped mine - a poor girl next to him was throwing up all the way!!! OK, so I had a better deal overall - I admit it. We didn't need to pick up bags at the claim, so all that remained to get home was for the driver to get us. Unfortunately, they sent a brand new guy who had never been to the airport before. He had trusted a GPS to take him there - and it took him into the worst rush hour traffic of the day (I-76). After toying with the idea of taking a cab ($100 !!!), we decided to wait for our hapless driver... After around 1800 he showed up and we got on I-95 south. Traffic jam almost immediately - and it got worse as we changed to I-476. At this point, I was really wishing my cell phone had some internet capability, since the driver's GPS went out - and I had no map... Luckily, an old friend from Norfolk (who works here now) guided us over the phone to Blue Bell (site of the next event for me). I arrived at Normandy Farms at 2030 - not late at all, as it turned out (I only missed happy hour). I was pleased to be able to attend my friend Scott's farewell dinner (or "roast"). The guys had made some great video tributes (complete with people dressed and acting like Scott - VERY funny). I sat at the table with Scott's parents and in-laws and Chip's parents. Everyone was in very good spirits. Scott mentioned me by name in his last speech - I was flattered. We hung out for several hours after eating (delicious chicken dinner) - before I knew it nearly everyone was gone. Since I had no car, I got a little worried, but then I spotted Olli and remembered he had offered to take me back to my hotel. He was true to his word (and his wife was a very good sport) even though he lives near Princeton. His car had the FastPass - pretty good idea around here... Back at my room around midnight.