Lighting Strikes and Blazers

I suppose very good adventure starts with some bumps. As we prepared to leave Sunday morning, it became clear that our Delta flight 1538 to Atlanta would be delayed. First it was 70 minutes late, then two hours. Lighting strikes in Atlanta, we were told.

We arrived at the PDX airport to find a long line and some short tempers. Our group was in good spirits, taking everything in stride. The Desmond family had gone to Israel early and I had already heard from Tom that they were in Tel Aviv and waiting for us. I knew the Fingers were taking a different flight but was not sure when they would leave.

As we stood in line, I heard some excitement from Alex Kaplan. It seems that some of the Blazers new players were at a ticket counter not far from us. Outgoing as Alex is, she had no hesitation to walk up to Jerryd Bayless and Nicolas Batum and ask to have her picture taken with them. Kate and Jennifer were not far behind. A little star power to get us started!

At the ticket counter we were informed that the flight would be several hours late and that we would most likely miss our connection to Tel Aviv (Delta flight 152). We decided that the best thing to do would be to go to Atlanta and take same flight out the next day. Of course, it is still possible that the Tel Aviv flight will be similarly delayed and we will make the connection, so we are reserved on both. However, once we got to the gate and learned that the flight is actually over 6 hours late – and the Tel Aviv flight is virtually on time, it seems very clear that the 13 of us we will spending the night in Atlanta.

While waiting we ran into the Finger family, heading to their Lufthansa flight to Frankfort. Most likely they will be on time and have a day in Tel Aviv with the Desmonds. But soon enough, we will all be together in Israel.