Philadelphia, PA (USA)

Woke up around 0700. Foggy and rainy outside... Packed and got organized until around 0845. Chatted with lady at front desk, who gave me a coin for my loyal patronship of the Navy Lodge (it closes in January). Ordered a Lee's Hoagie (buffalo chicken cheesesteak) for the road and picked it up shortly afterwards. Got some souvenirs and drove to the airport (early, because of construction and the weather). Topped off fuel tank and then dropped off rental car. Flying US Air again - different terminal (than when I use American) and long security lines. Got through with about three hours to go until departure - decided to spend it at the lounge (had to walk back to a different terminal - good exercise, I guess). Ended up running into Guy again (small world!!). We chatted and ate snacks while we waited. After he left for his flight I spent about an hour working on emails and business calls. Walked back to my gate around 30 minutes before departure time (picking up some souvenirs on the way) and found that my aircraft hadn't even arrived in Philadelphia yet... Had to wait about 30 minutes longer before we could board (the E190 - smaller jet with only two seats on each side). Kept myself entertained with puzzles in the newspaper (I think I'm getting the hang of sudoku!). Ended up landing about 20 minutes late (1715 - not bad) but getting to the baggage claim took awhile - and the bags took even longer. Delays continued as I waited for the express shuttle back to my car - eventually made it but it was already nearly 1815 by the time I got out of the airport property. Immediately got into a traffic jam on TX-183. Put up with it for awhile but finally decided to take TX-121 north to TX-114. It took awhile, too, but eventually I was moving pretty well. Short delays on TX-170 - but things looked pretty good until I turned onto I-35W (southbound). Gridlock!!! Eventually was able to exit the highway but the end result was more than one hour from the airport to the house (1930). Kids excited for souvenirs and cheesesteak...