Trending
I wish there was a way that the Youngstown Regional Airport, actually located in Vienna, could become a hub for some “regular” airline with flights to lots of places. Having lived here long enough, I know that’s most likely not going to happen. But I can dream, can’t I?
Convenience motivates my desire. When you fly out of Youngstown, you drive up, park close to the terminal, walk inside, check in within a few steps of the door, then walk out to the plane.
To do a take on Chandler Bing: “Could it be anymore convenient?” I doubt it. Akron/Canton gets kudos as well, except for the hour drive.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh offer the variety in airlines that you need if you’re going anywhere but Florida, but that’s where convenience ends.
We recently flew out of Cleveland. We were surprised when we found ourselves slogging through the snow, dragging our luggage from the parking lot behind the half-size deck that was full. It’s not something I’d recommend in the sub-zero weather. If we’d known in advance, we’d have parked elsewhere.
To be honest, there’s no direct way to get to our destination, North Dakota (N.D). Till this past November, you could make the trip with just one stop over; as of November, they’ve added a second stop over. This is not good for someone who white knuckles it on take-offs. Or should I say it’s not good for my husband?
With current weather conditions, and numerous cancellations on the boards, we were almost certain we wouldn’t get out on time; we thought our flight might even be canceled. We were beyond thrilled when our plane took off on time and got us through the stopover and on to N.D. as hoped. Even better, on our way home we got voluntarily bumped on our flight and received vouchers for another flight.
Most people presume that N.D. is the land of constant snow. Not so. While we were there, unlike here, it didn’t snow once. It wasn’t gray and ugly either – quite the contrary. Every day dawned with bright blue, totally clear and sunny skies. I was in heaven.
Was it cold? Unequivocally Yes. Minus 13 degrees with winds blasting across the plains at about 30-50 miles an hour, gives a net wind chill temperature of nearly minus 30 degrees. Fingertips go numb pretty quickly, even with gloves. Locals there have two sets of keys so they can leave their vehicles running while locked. There are also those who have block heaters to keep the oil in liquid form so the car will start.
A notable difference between them and us is that in spite of the temperatures, schools didn’t close once. It reminded us of when we were kids, wore snowsuits and walked to school regardless of the temperature.
We had a great time and were sad to leave our little granddaughter, yet we were glad to get home safe and sound.
Since coming home there have been three snow storms, including the big one last night. It makes one wonder just how long this winter can last?
This morning, as I was looking out the window through the falling snow, I saw two robins trying to land on a wind ravaged bush in our back yard. I commented to them that they picked a heck of a time to come back to Ohio. ‘Do you really know what you’re doing?’ I asked.
Then it dawned on me: Yes, they do know what they are doing. Their return signals that soon, the snow will be over and the promise of spring is just around the corner. What a wonderful promise. In the midst of the storm can there be anything better than that?
Jagunic is a Cortland resident. Email her at editorial@tribtoday.com