December 31 - On

Well, that's about it for this year, the continuing saga at markalburger2016.blogspot.com.

But, oh yes, first we have to get home from that Philadelphia Spirit flight, starting with a six-hour overnight layover in Dallas, at times fitfully sleeping like a homeless person on a padded bench in the Wendy's, adjacent to the white noise of a double escalator, masking all-night talk-TV 1984'ing all over the terminal.

At last the plane,

with a randomly-assigned window seat

(to have chosen same would have meant a nickle-and-dime extra $10 inconvenient credit-card charge) --

and no carry-on luggage,

 other than a personal item

(The solution?

Wear the robe under the tux jacket and Mr. Peachum's morning coat, stick the slippers into pockets of former,

shaving kit into compartment of latter, rolling up with Solano County Public Library bag into the other).

Mostly spectacular scenery,

ending with panoramic views of the greater Bay Area.

Touchdown,

walking

back to

parking,

and

scenically homeward

via 880,

80 in Alameda,

Contra

Costa,

Solano,

and

Napa.

On

and

on, with a truly wonderful welcoming back from Harriet, plus finishing blitzing through the editing of Alma Maria Schindler Mahler Gropius Werfel: 1895 - Max Burckhard, Op. 232, No. 17 (18 pages total),

over stimulating video.  Home at last!

Happy New Year!

High a sunny 55

(54 in Oakland) on the 53rd and last day of fall,

57 in Dallas...

December 30 - To All of That

A quiet, leisurely day -- until it's not...

Up at a reasonable hour,

bidding farewell to Chris,

who's driving

back up

to Boston;

yet more arrangements re the flights (now relatively easy),

a first/last repast in the cafe,

and

off

to

the airport

(Is this Bolton?  No, it's Ipswich) --

away!  Second coldest, winteriest day back home, a partly-foggy 48 degrees, after December 27's 46, with George-and-Bette's-domain at a totally gloomy but slightly warmer 51...

December 29 - Away, Away

Like Aeneus,

up reasonably early and out,

the gloom clearing in

Virginia,

beyond with a

detour on Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway?),

in the gloaming again around

Baltimore,

darkness, Delaware,

back to Bette and George's, with Chris, for cheesesteaks and hoagies (thereby completing the Philadelphia Food Group as items 4-5, along with soft pretzels, cream-filled Dunkin' Donuts, and fisherman's platters),

more tension w/ regard to the Cheapo / Spirit arrangements (the revised itinerary is just wrong,

the original obtains).  52nd day of fall back home, high 54 (also true in the gray Concordville, PA, fog), with Gastonia, NC, at a balmy-summery 72...