Pennsylvania and Alabama

I’m writing this at 9 pm (central time) in a hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. Long day! I started off at the buttcrack of dawn (5 something am) waking up to fog. So I couldn’t get into Delphi, which meant he had to meet me at Frankfort. Which is easier and less time for me anyway, so hey. Morgan met me there too, as her last flight with me as employed by us. Monday she starts her new job. So we all met up at Frankfort and flew to Erie, Pennsylvania, which is right on the lake there. It was IFR so I had to shoot an ILS in, and all was well.

She and I took a crew car and drove into town to a coffee shop that had food, and got caffeinated and fed. Then drove around up on the water, through pretty trees, lots of beaches. Found a beach and parked and wandered around the beach, walked out to the water, which was actually pretty warm, enjoyed the sun and breeze and water and company for awhile, before we decided we’d better get back to the airport. He’d said a minimum of 2 hours, so at 2 hours and 20 minutes we were walking back in the FBO. He was ready to leave in another 30. So it was good we didn’t decide to try to ride the rollercoaster at the water part we saw too. ;)

Flew back to Frankfort, dropped off Logan, and then she and I went to Culvers where I planned my next trip, with the weather and everything else. There was a wad of weather coming but I was going to beat it—and then another line sprang up between me and there, and it was growing fast. I said I gotta get out of here, drove back to the airport, launched, and by the time I got there I had like a 10 mile gap to shoot to get through the storms. Made it.

Landed in Birmingham at like 5:30 and was met by Glenn, who made fun of my ride, but admitted it was sleek and pretty, took me to a hotel to check in, and then we all went as a group to Mexican for dinner. I made it in time for group dinner with strangers except for Glenn. That’s always fun. ;) But I had a big margarita and I made it, I peopled and talked and I think we had a good time and got off to a good start.

Rides have been slow so far, but hoping that will pick up for the weekend as usual. There’s also the head of the B-29/B-24 Squadron here who could do my T-6 checkride. I should do it. I’m gonna try to do it. I need to just do it. 

For now, I’m tired even though it’s only 9 pm here, it’s 10 pm at home, that seems close enough to get to bed and get some sleep and be ready for tomorrow’s early morning wake up call and group meeting in the lobby to start the day.

And off we go.