Two Mountains in the window

photo by Dylan

So, did you realize Portland is up near the border with Washington?

I didn't think so.

Most Americans are still relatively ignorant about west coast geography. As you lift off from the Portland airport, you are blessed with the ability to see two ancient volcanos, one -- Mt. St. Helens -- that used to be more impressive-looking, until it blew its top. Remember?



Much like a man appears to his woman after he explodes for the first time at her, eh?

The other peak is Mt. Hood. It hasn't exploded lately, but when will it do so again?



Floating peacefully above all of this today were my own precious companions.



There was an airline attendant, a woman who reminded me slightly of a younger Jane Fonda, the one I knew and worked with. She really liked my kids. I asked if she had any children of her own, but she said no, though she was a "very active aunt."

Julia waved goodbye to her shyly as we exited the plane. All I could think about is how sad it must be for a woman who likes kids to never have any of her own. There must be no sense of future at all when you know you are the last of your line.

Sort of like working as an airline attendant, trying to smile at all manner of guests, even as you know that at any second, you may suddenly plunge to an awful death.

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