Views from Airplanes -- Newark to DFW

Coming home from a long week of work meetings

Looking out towards the United Connection regional jets on the other side of EWR Terminal A

Pushed back from the gate about an hour late and then EWR shutdown westbound departures because of line of storms extending from Toronto to Florida. Good times.

Hour and half later -- still waiting and very thankful I had scored an rare upgrade to first class. Spent much of it listening to the pilot chatter via the LiveATC phone app. Sounded like there were about 25+/- outbounds on hold at one point. Finally got released after a two hour hold just as the rain started to fall.

Three hours late, finally made it to DFW Terminal D around 1am.

Our flight seemed to be the last coming in for the night

After about six & 1/2 hours, finally getting off the plane.

George Washington Bridge Overlook

With the team meetings at the office ended around 12:30p and not having to be back at Newark for my outbound flight until 5:30p, I went looking for someplace scenic for a picnic (and to catch up on the email). Found the overlook at Fort Lee Historic Park just before the George Washington Bridge tollbooths.

The George Washington Bridge from the Fort Lee Historic Park overlook. A light rain was falling off and on for most of the picnic, obscuring much of the view. The Jeffery's Hook Light (aka Little Red Lighthouse) also sits in the shadow of the eastern bridge pier.

Noise from the bridge traffic echoed up and somewhat tainted the experience

Clouds broke after a half an hour and made for some better views. The Jeffery's Hook Light (aka Little Red Lighthouse) is also now far more visible at the bottom center.

Still noisy though

View of the bridge through the Park's oak trees

Relocated a mile or so up the Hudson River shoreline to Allison Park as so I could attend a quick customer conference call without the bridge roadnoise.

Historical marker reads:
"Allison Park
The trustees under the will of William Outis Allison have developed this park to carry out his expressed purpose to please almighty God and benefit his fellow men. This park near which Mr. Allison was born and spent his entire life will be thus maintained in perpetuity.
1849-1924"

View of the George Washington Bridge from Allison Park. The Manhattan skyline is also (somewhat) visible in the distance.

Closer view of the Bridge and the Manhattan skyline

Looking NE from the park overlook towards Yonkers and the Harlem River

Looking east from the Park towards Washington Heights

Views from Hotel Rooms -- Fairfield Inn & Suites Somerset, New Jersey

Back at the Fairfield in Somerset so I can attend some team meetings at the HQ office across the street

Second floor room just to the left of the front door. HQ office complex is just across the street.

I think the taller building behind the HQ is a Courtyard Marriott

The glass signs underneath the overhang have water flowing down them for a 'classy' look. But I wonder how they keep them from freezing in the winter?

Somerset, New Jersey gets dark and quiet after dark

Views from Airplanes -- DFW to Newark

Heading out for a week of meetings at the HQ Office in Somerset, New Jersey

Looking over at the American MD83 next door at DFW gate C16

Sun was trying to break through the clouds

Ahh the glory that is Newark Airport

Pulling up to the gate with another AA MD83 parked on the apron

All the baggage cars were lined up between us and the vacant next door gate

Finally time to get off the plane

@securityguy23:

Back from SANS2012 in Orlando, and returning to regularly scheduled programming already in progress

SANS2012 -- Views from Airplanes -- Orlando to DFW

Looking out the window of an American Airlines 737 during my friday night flight back home

Not much going on at the Orlando MCO gates serving American Airlines on this Friday night

Getting ready to pushback just after sunset

Two and 1/2 hours later, back at DFW Terminal D, looking at a parked MD80

Here comes the jetbridge

SANS2012 -- Orlando Hot Air Balloons

Every morning (just after sunrise) during the conference, I was able to look out my hotel room window and see hot air balloons peacefully floating in the sky. Looked like a captivating way to see the Kissemmee/Disney area.

Staging and launch just beyond a small fog bank

And there they go