Safely Arrived

Baby, allow me to say in all modesty, was the darling of both planes that carried her to California. She cried only enough to make her otherwise sophisticated and charming performance seem plausible, which is to say for a total of about four minutes. The rest of the time she sat on her mother's lap and giggled and cooed. It was one of the best days of my life. Further, unless I'm sorely mistaken, baby liked flying, could tell that the airplane was someplace special.

While the flight was memorably pleasant, the first hour or so on the ground was less so. Driving rain, baby screaming at last, and a difficult-to-install car seat anchor conspired to diminish our serenity. But not for long. Naps, dinner, and time with loving relatives have completed a fine first day of our ambitious trip.