Early to Rise

The beauty of the 6am departure

The ‘4’s are a unique time slot. If you’re still awake or out from the previous day, you’re bound to pay a toll. If you’re waking for the current day and the ‘4’s aren’t your typical starting point, three factors are likely brought immediately into focus: 1) caffeine is your friend; 2) you really need to get moving because why on Earth would anyone wake this early on their own accord; and 3) if you miss this flight you’ll be far up the proverbial creek. Then there’s the flip side: the own the day side. And it’s kinda good.

I realize apprehension tends to come standard with a pre-7am booking. You know you’re going to sleep with one eye open, hope you won’t automatically pummel the snooze button when your alarm clock buzzes, and pray the weather is OK because you’re leaving yourself zero wiggle room. But when it all works out, the silver lining is well worth it.

Last week, my son and I hopped aboard an early bird from Seattle to New York. We woke before sunrise, drove to the airport without traffic, greeted the morning light from a massive terminal window, and as we ascended saw the Cascades and Mount Rainier in all their splendor. It was delightful and in the urgency of the hour somehow more adventurous than a later departure. Before we reached cruising altitude, he told me he was, “already having a great time.” The day was ours.

Early mornings aren’t for everyone and not every crack-of-dawn flight is equally enjoyable. In fact some are undeniably painful. At the same time, I’ll take advancing toward the day over letting it come to me. Pack it up, pack it in. Can’t wait to get there.