And, that is what happened yesterday. By following the local news, we ALL knew that the former first family was heading to our desert for a well-earned vacation. Unfortunately, yesterday the weather wasn't cooperating.
The United States of America plane was scheduled to land at Palm Springs airport, so I ungently nudged hubby OUT of his chair and asked him to come with me because I wanted to see the plane land. Of course, HE was bored because, after all, he had seen 2 presidents land there: Eisenhower and Kennedy. Well, I hadn't seen ONE YET!
So, OFF we went! It was pouring in Palm Springs and the side streets by the airport were already crowded and we arrived there over 2 hours before the former president's plane was scheduled to land. I knew we better get there ahead of time or we wouldn't have a decent parking place. We drove around for about 20 minutes and then selected a side street near the southwest corner of the airport, right where the planes come down and land. Of course, the skies opened up. I had on a shirt, a cotton vest, AND a hoodie. I also had my good camera (Canon) with me.
I walked over to the fence where quite a few people were waiting and one lady offered to share her umbrella with me. We chatted for a while and then a couple more people came and joined our conversation. Soon I was offered a spot under a nice young man's car reflective shield!
I heard a low-flying, large plane and looked up and saw the plane! However, it didn't land! It circled and flew back over La Quinta for a 2nd run.
I also heard the second attempt and I DID get a few photos, but it was so cloudy and dark...sigh...AND, it didn't land again. Apparently it made 2 other attempts, but then flew to March Air Base in Riverside because of the weather.
Hubby came over with his umbrella, but by that time, I was SOAKED. Water from the umbrellas and the shade completely SOAKED my hoodie and my shoes were completely wet. I was cold and shivering. So, we left, went to Gelson's and bought lamb, mashed potatoes, and 2 bottles of wine!
It turns out the former First Family didn't arrive in the desert until after dark. There were MANY people lined up in Rancho Mirage and also many people awaiting their arrival at the airport.
Despite one's views of this president, many people stood in the rain for HOURS to honor the man and the position. I'm glad we went...it actually is history.
Here are my photos...dark and cloudy...
I actually DID see and hear Air Force One when President Obama was on it during his vacation last year. It flew directly over our house! I heard the low-flying, large plane. Hubby says the Palm Springs airport isn't designed for planes this size and that might have been another reason for its landing at March, but it did land there before.
Now, that's dedication! I might stand in the dark and cold rain to shake his hand, but would be hard pressed to do it for a plane sighting.
ReplyDeleteYou are right though. It is something you will remember and that is good.
I remember sitting on my Dad's shoulders to get a look at President Eisenhower in the early 50s at Warner Robbins field in Georgia.
I would have gone thee also, but maybe not in the rain. I've only seen one President in person, that was Richard Nixon and it was a looooong time ago.
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