Journal Entry

Traveling Home

Flying with the Air National Guard involves loading checked bags and luggage the day before the flight. All cargo is loaded into big wooden crates that are strapped all over, so that nothing slips around.

Cargo for Air National Guard FlightThis is where cargo/baggage is loaded for the Air National Guard flight.

We had a 6:45 a.m. breakfast run and then a passport check. Finally at 8:30, we were bussed to the military part of the airport where we walked out to the C-130 Hercules cargo plane.

C-130 HerculesC-130 Hercules Air National Guard Plane

The interior of the plane reveals all of the equipment, wiring, and ducts that make an airplane work. There is a steel platform at the front for the pilots, a bulkhead separation, and then a seating section with the cargo right behind the passengers; there are not separations between these. The seating runs along the sides of the plane and down the center with the passengers facing one another and sharing the leg space. The seats are long benches separated by seat belts, and the back is a web of straps.

Sitting in the C-130That's me ready for the C-130 flight!

Once we arrived at the Air National Guard base in Scotia, New York and were cleared by a customs official, we piled into taxi vans for the 45-minute ride to the Albany, New York airport. From there, I flew to Baltimore where I had just a few minutes in the airport, a very quick walk to the next plane!

Clouds over MarylandClouds over Maryland

One more flight took me home to Cleveland, Ohio where guitars throughout the airport welcome travelers.

A Guitar in the Cleveland AirportGuitars in the Cleveland airport welcome travelers.

My daughters met me with a welcome sign, and we were headed for home!

Welcome Home!My daughters greet me at the airport!

Flag of the Day

Honorable Mention FlagA flower over Greenland's flag by Colin

Comments

Anne Farley Sc…

Thank you for your kind words. It feels great to be home!

Mary Beth FUrman

Yay! You are home! Congratulations on accomplishing all you did. What an experience. Your journal/photos and all were so professionally done. Hopefully your team learned what it set out to learn. Be proud!
MB

Mary Beth FUrman

Yay! You are home! Congratulations on accomplishing all you did. What an experience. Your journal/photos and all were so professionally done. Hopefully your team learned what it set out to learn. Be proud!
MB

Cindy Seither

Welcome home! Thank you very much for your updates and pictures. They were so-o-o-o fascinating and learned so much from your experiences! I'm glad you had the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful program.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Cindy

Judy Fahnestock

Hi Anne,It looks like you had a good flight back to the states. What a nice welcome home greeting! What a great weekend to make it home for. Happy 4th!

Cara Pekarcik

Anne - welcome home! It seems like only yesterday that you were heading to Greenland! I hope you had a great experience - I have enjoyed reading your journals.

Lee Dupay

Welcome home Anne.

Lee

Janet Warburton

I'm just catching up on journals! I love this going home journal and your welcome greeting! So, sweet!! I hope you have rested and recovered and are enjoying being home. Thanks for all the wonderful journals.Janet