I’m an aisle-seat kind of a traveler. Even if I never get up during the whole flight, I feel much more secure about having the right and ability to do so without disturbing a couple of perfect strangers (who are probably either eating, sleeping, using their computers, or intensely involved in watching the movie).

But on the flight from Portland to Chicago, United Airlines surreptitiously canceled my aisle seat and wouldn’t give it back. I was lucky to get a window seat near the back of the plane. Hey, it could have been worse. It could have been a middle seat. And the window seat came with compensations– views of…

Mt. St. Helens

Mt. St. Helens seen from the air

Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood seen from the air

The Chicago River

The Chicago River seen from the air

Downtown Chicago

Downtown Chicago seen from the air