Today’s travel felt like an adventure from start to finish. I got up at 3:30 AM, left by 4:00 AM, and headed to the airport. Glad I left early — Oklahoma City’s airport was unexpectedly packed, and it took ages to snag a parking spot in the garage. The last time I flew (in February), I don’t remember things being nearly as crowded.
Going through security turned out to be surprisingly smooth. I didn’t have to take off my shoes, pull out my gadgets, or unpack my liquids. That was a pleasant surprise! Then I wandered down to my gate — unfortunately, mine was all the way at the end of the terminal. Definitely not as easy to reach as some of the more central ones.
Boarding began around 7:30 AM, and my flight was at 8:00 AM, bound for Denver International Airport (DEN). I was excited to pass through Denver again because it’s been years since I’ve been there. Two of the art installations I was hoping to catch were:
- “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back” by Thomas “Detour” Evans — this lively sculpture, hanging in Concourse B, is made from 183 upcycled luggage pieces donated by Colorado residents. It forms a looping, dynamic shape that evokes the movement of flights and transitions, while its colors echo the hues of sunrise and sunset.
- “Experimental Aviation” by Patty Ortiz — this installation features 140 small airplane forms suspended from the ceiling and welcomes travelers arriving via the train platform into the Jeppesen Terminal.
While waiting for my next flight, I grabbed a taco for lunch. Around me, I saw three different people misplace their paper tickets and get frantic. I felt some relief that I had my ticket on my phone (even though I’d been hesitant about relying fully on tech). That decision probably saved me from a panicked moment or two.
Finally, boarding time came, and I headed off to my final leg — Williston, North Dakota. My scheduled arrival was 2:15 PM, but we actually landed a few minutes early, which was nice. At the terminal in Williston, a crew was filming something about the airport — a fun surprise.
My family — Mellisa, Kyndall, and little Liam — were waiting for me. We were all hungry, so we headed to Qboda’s (a place similar to Chipotle). My bowl was a hit: lime, cilantro, white rice, pinto beans, chicken, corn, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Delicious. After lunch, there was about an hour drive to their home.
Once we got home, I finally got to hold Liam and catch up with Kyndall and Mellissa. I Trevor got home from work around 6:30 pm. Seeing everyone together made the whole day worth it. Despite the early wake-up, crowded airports, and long journey, it was a great travel experience — full of anticipation, art, and, best of all, reunion.
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