Back to life. So as I'm writing this, it's Sunday at 8:20 pm. My body is aching, I have bruises on my arms and I'm not sure where they came from. I'm sunburnt, dehydrated, wind blown, limping and sore, past exhausted, and a little exhilarated too. All the airplanes are home safe and sound, we have started cleaning up from our week of NOshkosh, and I'm trying to catch up on laundry that has piled out of the basket and dishes that are all over the counter.
I spent the night in Terre Haute last night, at JP & Kathy's house. We had a photo mission first thing this morning in BOB, with Greg Moorehead, the photographer for Warbird Digest magazine. We both had our flight suits on, and we were out at the airport before the sun rose. Do you know what time that means we got up this morning to be there before sunrise? Mmmhmm. It didn't matter though, because I woke up out of a dead sleep at 4 am anyway. I've been running on fumes for days, long days, tons of walking, extra brutal heat and humidity, and you'd think I'd sleep like a dead person, but you'd be wrong. Anyway, JP did the flying and I sat right seat. Greg was in Jordan's C-45 with Elliot flying, and a T-28 was up for the photo shoot too. I'm thinking Greg's going to get some good shots with the ground fog and the sunrise, even though we ended up getting up a little late. Not sure what took them so long, but we were supposed to be up by 6:45 am and it was closer to 7:30, so they almost missed the golden morning hour. JP and I were ready and sitting in the plane for a long time before they were ready to go, so at least it wasn't us. ;)
The photo mission went for about an hour. It's a great view up there, the Twin Beech engine out the side of your window, the sound of two radials rumbling under you, the sight of another shiny one right out your window, it's just pretty great.
When we got done, it was hot, we were sweating (already), and both JP and I kind of hit a wall. All that focus and concentration and work and sweat, on top of days of it, on top of low sleep, and we were all just about done. The ramp cleared off as all the other pilots also wore out and bugged out. Once I got up the energy, after lunch, I hiked back to the plane, hiked back to the FBO to pay my fuel bill (gasp), hiked back to the plane and left. I had almost 3 miles of walking today alone. You'd think I'd be down a few pounds but nope. lol I was so worn out that I had trouble climbing up on the wing of the T-6. I had to crawl up it because my legs wouldn't support me. I was just very weak. Fortunately you don't need muscles to fly, just concentration, and I had that fine. ;) Landed back at Kokomo, drank another two bottles of water and a Gatorade, topped off the T-6 on fuel, pulled out the Cheyenne and topped it off on Jet A, waited for JP and laid down on the couch and tried to sleep until Steve came in to work in the hangar. We were there until 3 or so, waiting until JP arrived. Topped off the Twin Beech, put everything away in the hangar, and then I was out of there, and came home to crash. And boy did I. Hard. Since my nap I've filed a flight plan for Texas tomorrow leaving at 7:30 am, did the dishes that are piled up everywhere, ran a necessary load of laundry, and tried to get my pictures all at least downloaded to my computer. Updating this blog has been last on the list, but I'm getting there. I got Monday done. And today. And I'll do yesterday too. The rest may be another day. I have to get up early again.
Kaylee's last day of job shadowing was today, and next day she works she is on her own as a server. She said she had a grumpy guy and his grumpy demanding little boy, and they were barking and stuff at her, snapping at her and the server who was helping them. Then someone must have told him she was new, because he asked if this was her first day, and she said basically, yes, and he said "You're doing great". :D She also told me that one of her friends there had three tables that didn't tip AT ALL, and a fourth table that tipped $.24. After all that work. At Outback Steakhouse, four tables in one night didn't tip. So the manager took care of her and made sure she got something extra, because that's just egregious. What is the MATTER with people?? Don't go out to eat if you're not going to tip. C'mon. Kaylee's nervous about being able to remember everything, and carry the tray appropriately, and being yelled at, so pray for her to relax and enjoy and remember stuff and learn quickly and take it easy on herself and have peace about it all. :)
From today:
Proof I was there for the sunrise.
Just a quick snapshot of the photo ship as we were moving around
Shadows coming in to land
The "Daggers" skydiving down with a 5000' flag.
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