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The Long Road Home

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author's plan to briefly leave their airplane in New York was complicated by the 9/11 attacks, which grounded the plane near Ground Zero and imposed extensive flight restrictions.
  • The subsequent cross-country flight to California became an "epic journey" marred by mechanical failures (engine, starter, battery) and unusually severe, unforecast weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, causing significant delays and reroutes.
  • Aided by a friend, the author navigated these numerous practical and emotional challenges, enduring the arduous trip and reflecting on the resilience gained and the beauty of reaching home after prolonged struggles.
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||| |—|—| | | | It seemed such an innocuous decision at the time. Life had gotten a bit much, I was behind schedule, the late August weather patterns looked bad, and I needed to get home to California for some meetings. “Well,” I thought. “I’ll just leave the airplane in New York for now and come back and get it in a couple of weeks. Life will be calmer, the weather will be better, and the trip will be much more relaxed.”

Talk about famous last words.

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