Fly the Friendly Skies (Part two)

...I watched the ground as we sped down the runway.  It looked like we were going to run out of runway, but we were airborne just before the end of the runway appeared.

We headed East, but we did not know our destination.  My cell-y was headed to Oklahoma City and I was headed to Ohio.  At one point of boredom in our hot cell in Terror Hut, we speculated that it might be a cross-country trip with stops along the way.  It turns out that theory was right!

The two rows in front of me were filled with U.S. Air Marshals.  They quickly started their own in-flight party.  One woman was eating sunflower seeds and using a pop bottle to hold the discarded shells.  Another woman had crackers and several toppings for them which she shared with her marshal friends.  Another man had fried chicken that he heated up in the galley.  They had a good time on the flight.  I wondered who was watching "us"???

The flight seemed to go by quickly.  I wasn't sure but it seemed we were flying faster than most commercial flights.  It was a hunch.  I could see rolling hills below when the pilot began the descent.  He banked the plane to the right and I could see a large river winding through a town.  This was Pittsburgh.  We did not waste any time getting the plane on the ground.  In fact, I believe we had priority over all other aircraft.

We taxied to a remote end of the airport where the charter services and the military base is located.  I could see a large yellow truck with emergency lights leading four buses and two vans, followed by an Allegheny Police Car.  As soon as we came to a stop, the buses pulled into formation and the Marshals began the staging for another exchange.  They boarded the first bus in line which was designated for Elkton.  They called out six of us to board that bus.  As I got up from my seat, I turned around and made eye contact with my cell-y.  I gave him a nod to say "Good bye" and he acknowledged.

I made it through another set of pat downs and waited again for a doctor or someone who has ever used a bandaid to make sure my wounded arm was legitimate.  Once I made it on the bus, I was able to warm up.  There were prisoners on board waiting their turn to board the plane.  I could see this was going to take a while.  I didn't have any direct communication with the Marshals on our bus, but I could see by their demeanor that they were going to be pleasant.  Perhaps they did not take as many steroids???

While waiting for the exchange to be completed, the entertainment unfolded in front of us.  The guys I didn't want to sit with were going through the pat down process.  A couple of these guys had tatoo's all over their bald heads and faces.  They were creepy to look at.  Others had long dreadlocks hanging to their belt.  The Marshals had to check every dreadlocks for contraband.  He seemed to think he found something, in his hair but wasn't sure.  He motioned for another marshal.  Soon they had four marshals going through this man's hair!!  But wait!!  There is more!  Another Marshal brought over a metal detector.  All this manpower produced nothing more than a delay (and maybe some dandruff).  But it was interesting to watch.  All these bad looking guys boarded other buses.  Whew!

When the exchange was complete, the convoy was escorted off the airport grounds.  Our driver headed down the road and pulled into a parking lot, which seemed odd to me.  They parked the bus and exited so they could empty their weapons and store them under the bus.  I wondered what people driving by thought when they saw these guys with shotguns and handguns next to an unmarked bus?

It wasn't long until we were off again.  The driver surprised me and told us how long it would take to arrive in Elkton.  He seemed...NORMAL!

The bus entered the interstate for a short distance and then turned off on Highway 30.  We drove through Clintonville and then wound our way through some beautiful countryside.  There were hills on either side of us that were wooded.  There were hills on either side of us that were wooded.  The road was winding and steep as we headed to the top.  The ride was peaceful, serene and comforting.  It was a gift from God after spending thirteen nights in an uncomfortable place.  It was as if God was telling me that all I need to do is to trust him when I am going through a storm.  When the storm is over, He brings a rainbow.  Or in this case, a peaceful ride in God's beautiful countryside!  God is Faithful to those who trust in Him.

The bus turned off the highway on to Scroggs Road, which took us up a hill.  Halfway up we turned into the Elkton Complex.  The buildings looked newer.  There was less fencing.  It did not look as intimidating as Terror Hut.  Our driver pulled along side the main building.  There was no double gate entrance to go through.  They let us off the bus on the same sidewalk visitors would use.  As I stepped off the bus, a Correctional Officer put a winter jacket over my shoulders to warm me up.  I was not used to such consideration and compassion!  We all shuffled into the rear door, which lead us into a secure area.

Once inside, we were unshackled and processed.  We were handled by C.O.s who were professional and efficient.  One of those individuals took me into an office area to complete some paperwork.  This was not an inmate area,  but it was available.  He pulled up a faux leather office chair for me to sit in, but I hesitated because I didn't feel worthy to sit in it!  It did feel good!  It was nice to be treated as a "person" again.

After processing us, they paired us up and they assigned us cells in the SHU.  I was not thrilled about this, but it is much better than Terror Hut.  The cells are cleaner, the climate is comfortable, the C.O.s are tough but respectable.  It was like moving from the Neva Jean Motel to a Motel 6!!  They leave the light on "every night"!  The time I spent in Terror Hut makes the time here seem easy.  I am waiting for bed space to open up in my new unit.  It is uncertain when this will take place.  I remain hopeful that it will happen before Christmas, but I may have to wait until January.  In the mean time, I have a Bible, paper and pen, an F.M. Radio, books and three squares a day.  I am not able to make phone calls until I have been in the SHU for thirty days.

I read my Bible, write letters and listen to some great preachers on the radio:  John McArthur, R.C. Sproul, Erwin Lutzer, Chuck Swindoll, Chip Ingram, James Ford, Jr., James McDonald, David Jeremiah and some local churches here in Pittsburgh.

I am going to be here for a while.  This will be my last "travel adventure" for a long time, unless my "pardon" is approved (I Wish!!).  I start a new adventure now.  I am looking for God's leading.  For now, I will wait for a bed where I will have more freedom, start a new job and get a better understanding of my options.

God will give strength to those who wait upon Him.  So that is what I am doing.  He will guide my steps.

God bless you and thank you for your prayers!!

-- McFreedom