Maryland trip

I flew out to Maryland to visit friends and family for a long weekend.  I flew on a standby pass, so I had some time to kill while waiting in the airport for a flight.  I pulled out my sketchbook and trusty fountain pen, and had enough time to capture some of the other passengers waiting to board their flight.

It was unusually hot for the east coast, but I didn’t mind at all.  The humidity was actually a nice change from California’s predicable dry nice weather.  I really enjoyed the thunderstorm that rolled in Saturday evening.  We very rarely get genuine thunderstorms in southern California, and I forgot just how much I missed them.

From the airport, I had lunch with my family at a great place in Eldersburg called Habbi’s Kabobs.  Its a little hole in the wall, but has great Persian food.  Waiting for our food to arrive, which took quite a while, I entertained the family with my drawing.  It has become a joke among those who hang out around me for too long, that you never sit directly across from me, or in my line of sight, or you just might end up as the star of a sketch.

One of the things I love about the east coast, is just how green it is, even during a dry spell.  The foliage around Dad’s house was in full swing, and I couldn’t resist getting out the watercolors and doing a quick painting of the house.  I love this house, love the English country feeling of it.  Love sitting on the porch, with a cup of tea, listening to the birds, or watching the fireflies come out as the sun sets.  Debbie’s gardening just adds to the feel of the place.  A perfect combination of planning, and wildness, that fits perfectly in the quiet wooded house.   I wish I could say that I have even half as much success with planting.  But my small garden is very sad in comparison.

Far too soon, it was time to head home.  The trip back to California took far longer than the trip out.  I have realized that flying standby in and out of BWI on United is hit or miss, since there are so few flights going to and from LAX.  I spend the day on Monday, starting bright and early waiting to get out on the limited non-stop flights.   Sadly, I had to spend an extra night in Carol County (oh, sniff sniff), before I was able to fly out on Tuesday. I was fortunate to get on a flight to Denver, and then on to LA.   As much as I love Maryland, I was very happy to get back to Clint, and my own comfy bed.