The morning joe is on the slow train when the heart and mind want it on the express. Drop by drop, the soothin’ syrup moves into the cup. Finally, it is full, and a sip awakens the brain. Reaching for the clock, it is set to April 6th, 1924. The location is Sand Point Navel Air Station in Seattle. The duration is two hours. The plunger is pulled.
We are at the Sand Point Navel Air Station in time to see eight American pilots depart Seattle’s Sand Point Naval Air Station in four modified Navy torpedo bombers. Their goal is to be the first to fly around the world. Several attempts have been made by other countries, but so far, none have been successful. Their planes are named Seattle, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans. The route will take them West over Alaska and then over Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Paris, London, and Hull, England, and then return via the Atlantic Ocean across North America to Seattle. It is expected to take 175 days to complete the mission. (We know they did complete it and were the first to do so.)
The alarm goes off, and my trusty couch receives me. My text tone tells me Linda Hill has sent a message. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “express.” Use it as a noun, verb, adverb, or adjective. Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
If you want to see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2024/04/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-6-2024/
Express by John W. Howell © 2024
“Wow, 175 days to fly around the world. Not exactly express, is it?”
“Don’t forget it is 1924. Things were a little slower then.”
“I’ll bet that was a tough trip.”
“One plane crashed in Alaska, and the pilot and navigator spent 10 days in the wilderness.”
“Goodness. Did they survive?”
“Yes. They were rescued.”
“Anything else?”
“The plane named Boston landed between the Faroe Islands and Iceland and sank.”
“Anyone hurt?”
“Nope. Both were okay, and they got a replacement plane for the trip across North America. They flew a total of 27,000 miles.”
“No, VooDoo Ranger, I’ll bet.”
“You order Uber?”
“He’s right over there.”
“What is that?”
Photo Dan Antion
“I wanted you to experience a modern-day trip like in 1924.”
“I can see from here that one of us has to ride in the back.”
“That’s okay. We both will. It will be like flying around the world.”
“I’ll have to trust you on that. I hope it doesn’t take 175 days to get to the pub.”
“Naw, this is an express. We’ll be there in no time.”
“After you.”
Fiction Favorites 
It’s better to feel like 1924 and actually be on an express, than to be in a hurry and be on the slow train, eh? Geez – I think I just confused myself with my own comment! 🤪
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I think I got it. Very deep this morning philosopher, GP.
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🤪 So, you can tell I had some schoolin’….
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Never fooled me for a moment.
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I never knew about that flight, John. Thanks for the express delivery of a history lesson. I hope you have a great weekend.
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Thank you , Dan. I hope you have a good one as well.
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Seems coffee always takes a long time to make. Was that flight in one go or with multiple fueling stops?
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They had 74 landings in 22 countries They even changed the landing configurations from wheels to pontoons and back again.
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Cool. Reminds me of the ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ story.
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Yup.
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Thanks for the Saturday history lesson, John. 179 days seems like a long time to circle the earth, but the reality of 1924 is much different from the 1872 fiction of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days.
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So true, Tim. It was a major undertaking.
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A 1924 Pierce Arrow or Model T might have been more appropriate for Uber. You would probably make it to the bar by late afternoon happy hour…
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Yeah but I thought this monster would be good too.
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That was a fascinating lesson, John. I was about to read and went to take a sip of my coffee… there was none left. I had to make a fresh cup to better enjoy this little trip into the history of these gents. Have a great Saturday!
“See ya” tonight!
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Thanks, Dale. 😁
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☕sip, slurp. Ahhhh…
Always a pleasure, John! 😉
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😁
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It would have been exciting to see those modified bomber take off – and the good news is that no one died! As for that Uber, I don’t think I’d dare get in the back. Looks like things might be growing there.
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Ha ha ha. I agree about the growing. Thanks, Noelle.
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Talk about a truly amazing flight and time. Thanks for sharing a m,onumental moment in aviation history.
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Glad to do it. Monika.
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A history lesson and an old uber — perfect beginning of the day. 😊
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I’m glad, Gwen. Thank you.
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Maybe there is a refrigerator back there for some portable beverages.
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Great idea.
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You started my Saturday out right, John. I really enjoyed this.
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So good to hear, Kymber. 😁
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Don’t think I wouldn’t have enjoyed either trip but it’s fun to read about it.
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I can identify with that.
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Nicely done with the prompt word in the first sentence! I hadn’t heard the story of the group circumnavigation of the world before. I expect that the accommodations in the Uber “camper” would be on the primitive side.
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I think primitive might be an upgrade. Thanks, Liz
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Ha ha! You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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that was a really interesting prompt John I had not heard of that historical event . Thank John enjoy your Voodoo Rangers💜💜
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Thank you, Willow. I hope you have a lovely weekend. 😊
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What an incredible moment in history. We’ve certainly come a long way. Love the Uber ride!! Good one, John!
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Thank you, Jan
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What a great historical event, albeit looong! I hadn’t heard of the flight before. The Uber suits the trip.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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I can’t recall hearing or reading about that event in 1924. Thanks for teaching me something new today.
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Glad to do it,Deborah. Thank you.
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I expressly enjoyed this history lesson!
Thank you dear John!
Umm, I might be missing the gag in the conversation.So, it took the planes 175 days… or was expected to.
Then on VooDoo way, your pal says 179 days.
Then, after getting some whiffs of the Uber’s exhaust, it takes 197 days.
What am I missing? A number play? 757997
🐂 OX 🐂 OX
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Naw, you are not missing anything. The author forgot to go back and check the numbers. When I write a piece I don’t necessarily look up the facts as I go along. I usually back check and correct. Was too damn tired and forgot to do it. All corrected now. Thank you for the heads up. 🤗😘
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Lol! 🤗😘
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I know right? 😁X
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💋
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😊
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Hi John, I didn’t know about that trip around the world. Very cool.
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For the day it was quite an adventure.
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Even for now, it would be an adventure.
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You are so right.
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This trip sounds like my last one with American Airlines. I think I would rather take a chance with that Uber.
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Ha ha ha. Good one.
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Man, it was rough! LOL
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😊
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