Wednesday
May052010
Blah, Blah, Baa
May 5, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Sue 
I don't "get out" much and I'm easily amused.
Recently my special cousin/sister Leanne (remember her from HERE?) called and invited me for a visit to Texas, and I decided to take her up on the invitation. She said the wildflowers were especially spectacular this year and she knew I would enjoy photographing them.
From the moment I started planning the trip to returning safely home, I experienced one adventure after another. Some a little "nerve wrecking" and others more entertaining.
As I entered the "cattle line" for the airport security screening, I immediately knew I was in trouble. After awkwardly shuffling through my bag to locate my ticket and photo ID, I noticed sympathetic glances from others around me. Was it the gray hair or the obvious lack of experience with the check in process?
I had worried about packing for the trip, especially with all of my camera equipment and more stringent travel guidelines, but amazingly enough the officials didn't open either of my carefully packed bags. I thought "Whew. I've got it made."
That feeling was short lived, however. I set off all kinds of bells and buzzers going through the metal detector, and was immediately escorted to the glassed in room to get treated to the "wand" as well as to get thoroughly patted down, kind of like you see in crime movies on TV.
The person examining me kept her attention on one of my pant pockets. After answering a series of simple questions like "What do you have in your pocket" she finally asked me to empty my pocket. I thought I only had my boarding pass in the pocket, but alas, when I emptied the pocket I found one of my grandchildren's bristle blocks. Oh my! Granny Sue got patted down at the airport security check because of a plastic bristle block.
Better safe than sorry. I hold NO grudges and totally understand that the TSA has an important job to do, but this was only the beginning of my adventure.
The flight arrived safely at Dallas/Forth Worth Airport with no concerns. I bravely boarded the fast moving train to change gates. When I located the new gate after a long walk, I took a deep breath and thought "YES! I CAN do this!"
The two hour layover between flights passed quickly and before I knew it I was boarding the plane for my final destination.
On the runway, getting ready for take-off, the pilot informed us he was turning around and heading back to the airport. Something about the equipment was bothering him. The consensus of the passengers was we would much rather be safe than sorry and everyone was very good natured about the unexpected delay. We de-boarded the plane, had an even longer wait, and eventually boarded yet another plane. This flight took place with no unexpected occurrences.
My cousin met me at the airport and the next part, the good part, of the trip began.
During our visit together, we enjoyed good conversation, good food, and good wine on her patio with the chiminea hypnotizing us with the fire and the sweet fragrance. We toured the Central Texas Hill Country, enjoyed the wildflowers, lunch in quaint and historic Fredricksburg, pecans, and more wine at a very nice winery. By the way, I was told by the locals that eating at least seven pecans a day was very healthy. I wonder if that includes my new favorite -- chocolate amaretto covered pecans?
Leanne's husband enjoyed showing me around various typical and authentic Central Texas Hill Country ranches and restaurants. It is a "requirement" :) for his visitors to enjoy good, old fashioned country fried steak at least once when visiting their ranch.
His family has raised sheep for a number of years. I got excited about the photo opportunities as we drove right through the middle of a family sheep herd. I asked Dan to stop the truck and let me get out to photograph. I cautioned my cousin to watch out for me and warn me if I was getting "in the zone" and loosing awareness of my surroundings.
I was "snap, snap, snapping away," enjoying the close proximity of the sheep heard. I knew that animals are frequently curious, but was amazed at how close the sheep allowed me to get to them. It was as if they were coming to me; like they wanted to eat out of my hand! The sounds of the various pitches of the numerous "baas" were fascinating as well; all loud, but some lower pitched than others. The sound was almost musical and very hypnotic.
As I finished firing off many shots of the ewes, lambs, and rams, I turned to get back in the truck and quickly discovered the reason the sheep herd was so close.
Unbeknown to me, Dan was standing by the truck holding a feed sack!
Baaaaa!!!
Reader Comments (16)
Great shot of one of the rams. I hope your trip home went more smoothly than your flights out, but it's funny that your grandchild caused TSA to go on high alert! :)
That is one baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad ram, Sue! WOW. Not sure I'd want to get too close to him without a fence in between! I can just imagine your heightened sense of photographic excitement, however, and bet you really were in your zone. :)
So glad you made it through the trenches on your way out (and back again, I assume). Flying these days seems to be a real challenge, especially during Mercury Retrograde. Almost anything can and often does happen. But a grandchild's plastic bristle block in your pocket is a new one for me...and definitely worth a story. Thanks for the smile. :)
Aside from the frustrating travel plans - it sounds as if it was a wonderful trip. And your cousin's husband has a wonderful teasing sense of humor. What fun!!!! And - what an exquisite..extraordinary capture of this ram!!!
Well surprise, just when you thought you were the sheep whisperer... It is a really incredible photo, I like the way it comes very close to being abstract. Those darn bristle blocks! Gotta watch out for those...
It sounds like a wonderful week--what a neat experience to get right up close and personal with the sheep. Amazing! That's one great photo!
I too got patted down in an airport this week--I was so worried about getting my computer at the ready that I forgot about what was in my pockets. And my sunscreen, which got tossed in the trash. Rats--it was only used once.
Fabulous photo! I'm so glad you had a good trip. I'm looking forward to a summer of enjoyable adventures too!
I'm sure they liked you too, and it wasn't just the food they were after:) Sounds like a great trip!
That is an awesome picture! Helas, flying has a lot of security these days, but better save than sorry. Apart from that it sounds like you had a great time.
I am so sad I did not know you were here..hope the weather was OK...isnt the Hill Country nice!
A frequent traveler I am, I go through this a lot. Alway think i have it down.
Anxious to see what "Granny Sue" comes up with!
Loved the ram pic - glad you enjoyed your trip - mostly.
Well done, Sue - both the photo and the retelling of your trip. I hadn't traveled by plane in a number of years a two, maybe three, years ago I flew to Maine and Washington DC, with layovers in Denver and Boston. I remember how nervous I was about that Denver layover and whether I would find the next concourse, but there wasn't anything to worry about. No pat downs at security, thankfully!
What a wonderful story Su3! As I am finally adding pictures to flickr and listening to NPR your story fit in very well with the quality and interest.
Sue I love the picture of this ram. He's really impressing. I'm glad your trip went well in the end :-)
Such an amazing photo! Glad you finally had the chance to fully enjoy your trip. It seems you really had a great time!
Best travel advice I ever got: "It's all part of the experience." And now you have a funny pat-down story to add to your collection.
I like the sound of sheep, too. So many different voices!