You Can Decorate Now

Posted on December 3, 2023 by vanbraman

Thanksgiving is now past and it is time for Christmas decorations.

holiday decorations, christmas, blowup decorations, christmas lights I had already been seeing them, even before I left on Thanksgiving for my trip to Iowa. However, they  really started popping up while I was gone this week.

christmas decorations, christmas, decorations, best of showI know that I won’t see a display at this house in the neighborhood, as the house has changed hands. However, there will still be plenty of displays nearby.

Holiday decorations, 2021, front yard, blow up decorationsI am not sure yet whether I will have a display in my yard. My neighbor did put some lights on my tree while I was gone, and may just be waiting to see if I will let her use my yard.

Christmas decorations, lights, holiday decorationsI have seen some simpler displays going up and I look forward to taking some pictures in a couple weeks while out for a walk.

Weihnachtspyramide, Jena, Christmas, Germany, Ferris WhellQuite often I travel in December and am not home to see the local displays slowly come up. I leave for a trip and return to see a transformation. However, during the pandemic years I have not been traveling. I miss seeing the Christmas decorations in the Christmas markets in Germany.

Steven

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DSM to SFO

Posted on December 2, 2023 by vanbraman

Today has been a long day. I left DSM (Des Moines, Iowa) in the early afternoon and flew through Denver to SFO and made it home in the evening after a long drive home.

It had been in Iowa and Missouri as we celebrated my Parents’ 60th Wedding Anniversary.

DSM, SFO, Des Moines, Trip, Gas, AirportsThis morning as we headed to the airport in Des Moines we had to stop and get some gas, so I thought I would share the cheap Iowa gas prices.

Gas prices have come down here in California recently, but are still over four dollars a gallon near my house and over five dollars near my office.

DSM, SFO, Des Moines, Trip, Gas, AirportsThe airport in Des Moines was quite empty when I arrived, but the seats filled up closer to the time of the flight. I remember once when I was a kid coming to the airport to drop my Mom off when she flew to California. The windows prompted some memories of watching her plane taxi away from the gate. Remember when we used to go to the gate to say goodby to people when they went on a trip?

The last time I flew to and from Des Moines was for my Sister’s wedding when I was going to college in Texas.

DSM, SFO, Des Moines, Trip, Gas, AirportsHere is the aircraft that I flew to Denver in. It was a bit larger than the one I flew in from Chicago in last week, so it was easier to store my bags in the overhead.

DSM, SFO, Des Moines, Trip, Gas, AirportsWalking through the terminal in Denver brought back a lot of memories of the many times I have flown through there. It also brought back some memories of the old Denver airport. It has been a long time since I have been in Denver though.

DSM, SFO, Des Moines, Trip, Gas, AirportsI finally made it to SFO and picked up my car from ANZA Parking. It was nice to use some days of parking that I have earned over the years. Thankfully, they carried over my awards from before the pandemic. It was raining through much of the drive home, but thankfully not too heavy.

After the long drive home I have been getting unpacked and am ready to sleep in my own bed 🙂

Good to be home,

Steven

 

 

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