Recovery

Yesterday was rescue, today was recovery.  The forecast was calling for fog in St. Louis this morning, so we were thrilled about that, but it held off, and made life easier for us, which was greatly appreciated.  We were in St. Louis most of the day, and then found out that the 340 was ready for me to pick up in Hannibal, so we headed there next.  D took home the RG and I took back the 340. It was another 12 hour day or so, but at least the plane is home and it wasn't a difficult day of flights, so I appreciated all that.

While I was gone, Kaylee was getting ready for her first Junior High Dance.  I made it back just as Steve was driving her and her school friend to the dance together.  He sent me a text earlier that said "Having to deal with preteen girl probs!  I wanna go!  I don't wanna go!  Do these shoes look OK?  GeezOPete!  And when did she start looking 18 years old!"  He gets a Good Dad award for helping her figure out her shoes and encouraging her to go to this dance and letting her wear high wedge shoes instead of flats in public.  ;)  I got back in time to get some food and then go back out to the dance to pick her and her friend up and bring them home.  They had a Wonderful time.  They goofed around and danced and sang and hung out together and just had...fun.  I was so glad.  I wasn't too worried about Kaylee, but you always worry a little bit anyway.

As I was waiting for the girls in the parking lot, I saw a little 12 year old gentleman open the back seat car door for his 12 year old "girlfriend" before getting in on his own side of the car.  It made me say "Awwwwww".  I wanted to knock on his mom's window and say "Good job on the gentlemanly manners, mom!"  (There will be no dating by MY 12 year old, mind you.  They are Tuh-WELVE years old!  Nope no nada nuh-uh.)

We were driving away, and I asked the girls how it was, and they were telling me how much fun they had, when Kaylee said "Some girls were running to the bathroom and crying though."  I said "Aw, I'm sorry, do you know why?"  Her friend said in a dry, droll voice "Because they're junior high GIRLS."  I snorted and started laughing.  Then she said "Well, there were some boy problems and stuff, you know..."  We listened to music and the girls sang and goofed off all the way home.  One school dance successfully and funly (it is too a word if you know what it means) accomplished.  I'm glad I got to see her afterwards, dressed up and sharing a story or two, bright eyed and happy.  She's a good kid...

Here are some photos from today, the flying and after the dance, since Steve didn't do his photo duties beforehand.  ;)

Departing Runway 23 in the RG at sunrise

 

 

 

St. Louis. It looked kind of like Gotham with low slung clouds and gray skies, but you can't tell that here.

 

Kaylee after her first dance.

 

Shoes and all!

 

Goofball!