*cough*wheeze*cough*Missoula*cough*wheeze*cough*

[WilliamPitt]

I have NEVER seen anything like this.

300 miles out from Missoula you could see the forest fires from the plane. Hundreds of them. The sky was yellow, and the smell of woodsmoke began to be present in the plane, even though we were way airborne. I've never seen anythink like it.

Landing was hairy...I mean HAIRY...because the smoke caused all sorts of turbulence. Put it this way. It was a totally clear, cloudless sunny day...and the pilot had to do an instrument landing.

Most of the other people in the airport were out-of-state smokejumper firefighters waiting to get driven to the fire fight in the mountains, which could not be seen because of the smoke.

As I waited outside for my ride, it began to lightly rain ash.

[TEXASYANKEE]

1. Welcome ...

To GW Bush's "Amerika."

[molly]

2. I HATE to fly

and mostly I HATE to take-off and land - I give you credit. The person sitting next to me would be minus an arm.

[WilliamPitt]

3. I've put about 20,000 air miles on my back since July 16

and have gotten zen-like about flying. This one, though, had my palms sweating.

[molly]

10. I have not flown since January 2001 when I flew to Vegas

to get married. My husband flies all the time and nothing bothers him. If I had not had a MAJOR hangover when I flew out of Philly on Dec 30th, 2001 (major snowstorm - plane sat on runway for 3 hrs - defrosted 2 times - I knew if I didn't show - well you know), I would not have done it. Oh, yeah, I flew to Boston in June of that year for the AOA convention - wonderful small jet took me there - awful prop small plane brought me back - it started to take off - then went back to the terminal because it HAD PROBLEMS!

Anyway, anytime I fly, I try to get as drunk as possible.

I flew to the Catskills several years ago in a thunderstorm - the guy sitting next to me almost sued me.

[grasswire]

6. you're lucky...

.....you weren't landing in Butte. Which is hairy any day because the approach is right over the old open pit mine. Or Billings, where you come in low to land and suddenly the earth drops away another hundred feet just at the moment you think the wheels are about to touch.

Missoula is actually a pretty nice town. I hope you go back another day when the weather is clear.

[Coffee Coyote]

4. It is horrible smoke

It is even affecting my parents, who live east of Yellowstone country down in Wyoming. Too bad, because Missoula has lots of natural beauty, and it isn't bad for a western college town. Sorry you are seeing the worst of it, and glad you are safe.

[curlyred]

5. The fires last summer in Colorado

Were similiar. The sky was orange for days, with the smoke filtering the sun.

We could smell smoke in downtown Denver, Will, and leaving work one day my car was covered with ash as I drove out of the parking garage.

What a trip.

[arwalden]

7. Your Account Gave Me Chills... Creepy Chills...

... glad you arrived safe.

-- Allen

[Aristus]

8. Hang in there, Will.

And remember to take your Dramamine.

[THUNDER HANDS]

9. wow

Glad you made it safe, buddy. I told you to bring an umbrella.

:)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Thank heavens we have

a president that will help get rid of all those damned trees that are causing this dreadful situation!

~cough sputter cough cough gag~

[TrogL]

12. Smoke does not cause turbulance

More likely, the pilot couldn't see a damn thing and was dodging trees and bears.

[Coffee Coyote]

13. the rising heat sure does

LOTS of heat being put out by those fires. Besides, having flown over western Montana many times, the mountains themselves made Will's landing hairy enough.

[WilliamPitt]

14. There was a pilot deadheading in the seat next to me

I asked him why the ride was so wild. He said, "The smoke." It was DENSE.

[Khephra]

15. I think I'll have nightmares just thinking about that

Man, I hate flying!

Good luck with the gig!

[disgruntella]

16. missoula rules!

Currently I'm in Billings, 5-6 hours away via I-90, and it's been hazy from fires here too. Are you speaking at the U of M? Inquiring minds!

[WilliamPitt]

18. I am

7pm, Urey Underground (heheheheh) Hall. :)

[disgruntella]

19. ok, so do you think i'll get there in time?

320 miles in 2 hours = 160mph... oh wait, they DID reinstate that darn speed limit!

Just kidding - have a good time, I am sure you will find a very receptive audience in Missoula.

[dweller]

17. Goodbye Old Missoula

Searchin’ for the sunlight on this winter stay
Here in old Missoula they throwed the sun away.
Come the morrow mornin’ I’m headed for the Bozeman round
And it’s goodbye to old Missoula, sleepy town.

I met a girl named Rosy, sweet as she could be
But I guess that Rosy, she didn’t have eyes for me.
Time, it waits for no one; Lord why did I hesitate?
And it’s goodbye to old Missoula a day too late.

Clouds that hang on the mountains
They make me lonesome inside
And these four walls that surround me
They leave me no place to hide.

Goodbye, Rosy; you’ll never know, and time says my love will pass
But if I can just remember your smilin’ face, that’s all of time that I ask.
The show in this town is over, or maybe it just never began
And it’s goodbye to old Missoula; I’ve done all that I can
And it’s goodbye to old Missoula
Goodbye to old Missoula
Goodbye to old Missoula, sleepy town

W.A.R.


sounds like Missoula hasn't changed a bit in all those years...

dp

[Stephanie]

20. You want to have breakfast at The Shack

And wave hello to my grandma's house on Mary Street.

[WilliamPitt]

21. I will look into that

7am flight. Hopefully I can make it. Thanks for the tip. I am a collector of phattt breakfast places.

[rustydog]

23. I have an aunt and uncle who live on Tower Street.

My grandparents lived just down the street from the swimming pool.
(I'm talking 60's now)
I miss Missoula, it is a beautiful town.

[Rhiannon12866]

22. What a nightmare!

I have not flown since before 9/11. You can call me ``chicken'' because I am. You deserve a lot of credit for just getting on with business.

This place sounds like a nightmare. You should demand hazard pay. Oh, right, soon our troops on active duty in Iraq can no longer claim that.

I have family near Denver. The forest fires last year were causing them breathing problems. I cannot believe that so many forest fires are still not under control. This should be a national priority, but then those in Missoula are surely much more worried about the imminent attacks from Saddam Hussein. You will surely straighten them out.:-)

Just make this a short trip, Will, and you should be okay. I am so sorry for those in this part of our country. Best wishes for a safe return.

Rhiannon