Tufts of delicate clouds cast feathery shadows br against the stark moonscape br of the bleak Arizona desert br panning by the windows of Flight 1649. br br The Colorado snakes and scours its way br southward across the barren ochre dust br and waters Lake Havasu's synthetic playland. br br Soaring peacefully above the Mohave sands br Palm Springs clicks into view like a travelogue slide. br Cotton Candy treats of crystal and vapor br hover beyond the reach of children's tongues. br br The pilot dips the aircraft's nose earthward br and its wings are erased and redrawn br by the cotton candy mists br drifting over the San Bernadinos. br br Landing gears spin, touch and stop br and our flock of flightless bipeds br reclaims its land legs in Ontario terminal.