Meanwhile, far far from the ash,

an old friend (thru the Panama canal together in Sept 04) made the news today by swerving to avoid a buoy and injuring 60 or so passengers.

I particularly like this shot (taken from a Robinson R-44 in Aruba) which was not altered nor cropped.

Another view

More Problems

Here is what is disrupting the lives of several hundred thousand people, so far.

Sincerest Condolences

Perhaps pilots have different feelings about airplane crashes than do non-pilots. And I suspect that with the exception of the very many Americans of Polish descent, my feelings about Poland are perhaps warmer and stronger than many of my fellow countrymen. [The fact that I just tuned in CNN and Fox news who were running commercials seems to substantiate this belief].

I have been very fortunate to have not one but two extraordinarily warm and utterly pleasant visits to Poland, with some of my happiest travel memories ever.

The dimensions of the tragedy in Smolensk will take weeks or more to untangle, as the Russians are apparently sealing off the scene and limiting or totally curtailing information from journalists.

The irony of the event however, is beyond description. Tragic, utterly tragic irony.

My very sincerest sympathies to everyone affected by this event.

No Old Bold

See comments for text.

After the Storm

As you approach Smith Point, the beach looks a little narrower than it used to be.



Yup...it is.