Friday, March 30, 2001

Midland, TX (USA)

Left the Vacation Inn first thing this morning and headed to NAF El Centro.  Flying with a student who was complete. We were able to two leg it back to Meridian (that is usually hard) with the great winds behind us. Stopped for lunch in Midland and then flew home. Had a close encounter with some other aircraft (due to radio problems) west of Meridian and had to talk it over with my boss later... Still, made it back to Lauderdale by around 1900.  It was great to see Nicky and the kids!

Thursday, March 29, 2001

El Centro, CA (USA)

[Detachment to El Centro (next to last day)]  Worked all day. Completed the hotel check-out process in advance (2110L) to avoid the rush when everyone else leaves the Vacation Inn in the morning...

Wednesday, March 28, 2001

El Centro, CA (USA)

[Detachment to El Centro - worked all day - staying at Vacation Inn]

Tuesday, March 27, 2001

El Centro, CA (USA)

[Detachment to El Centro - worked all day - staying at Vacation Inn]

Monday, March 26, 2001

El Centro, CA (USA)

[Detachment to El Centro - worked all day - staying at Vacation Inn]

Sunday, March 25, 2001

Temecula, CA (USA)

[no flying today - got gas at 0805 in El Centro - with others from my squadron, drove over to Temecula for wine tasting (and purchase!) - visited Maurice Carrie Winery (1515), Mount Palomar Winery (1549), (back to) Maurice Carrie Winery (1630), Cilurzo Winery (1645) - got gas again in Temecula (1710) before heading back to El Centro - staying in Vacation Inn]

Saturday, March 24, 2001

El Centro, CA (USA)

[Detachment to El Centro - worked all day - staying at Vacation Inn]

Friday, March 23, 2001

El Centro, CA (USA)

[Detachment to El Centro]  Got to take another trip to the desert for some training... Left Meridian in the morning and planned to get gas in Abilene on the way to El Centro. Instead, found out that we couldn't land there because of the weather (the field reported tornados on the ground right as we arrived!). We barely had enough gas to make it over to Midland (whew!). That turned out OK, though, since the new flight plan allowed me to fly near Hobbs on the next leg. Checked out Lea County airport with my student flying approaches (didn't land) - might be able to come back here sometime... Got gas in El Paso next - and some lunch. Ended up giving up my student to another instructor who was waiting there, and then flew formation flight over to El Centro on Matt's wing. It was kind of fun to be solo and we had a good trip. Arrived just before sunset. Stayed at Vacation Inn (in El Centro).

Sunday, March 18, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 9

[after spending the night in ______, we were up early for our drive back to Meridian]

Saturday, March 17, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 8

[left the condo in the morning, bound for home - stopped in Hobbs to see Bonnie - got gas in Snyder, Texas (1600L) - made it through the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area without too much difficulty - filled up the tank again in Kilgore (2115L) - spent the night ______]

Friday, March 16, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 7

[explored Ruidoso - visited Smokey Bear Museum (1000L) - later drove up to ski resort (Ski Apache) and played in snow on the mountain - pony rides - (dinner ?) at Great Wall of China on Sudderth - more fun in snow near condo]

Thursday, March 15, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 6

[drove west from Hobbs, bound for Ruidoso - after filling up the tank in Artesia (1120L), we saw Chuck and had lunch with him - in the afternoon, we drove on to Roswell - Nicky wanted to see the "Alien Crash Site" so we drove out there - saw two F-117's flying low level (it scared Nicky) - made it to condo in Ruidoso (nice!) before dark]

Wednesday, March 14, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 5

[visiting with Bonnie - we went shopping at Hastings Entertainment (1315)]

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 4

[visiting with Bonnie - visited a "cowboy" museum in town - St. Helena playground fun]

Monday, March 12, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 3

[visiting with Bonnie - family portraits in back yard (pretty flowers)]

Sunday, March 11, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 2

[drove from DFW area toward Hobbs on I-20 - stopped for a break in Abilene (Dyess Air Park) - also got gas there (1600L) - it was such a nice sunny day! - made it into New Mexico late, but the time change helped a little - stayed at Bonnie's house - very relaxing]

Saturday, March 10, 2001

Hobbs Trip - Day 1

[left Meridian in the morning, bound for the DFW area - got gas in Greenwood, Louisiana (1815L) - (stayed with Gerald and Angie ?)]

Thursday, March 8, 2001

Milton, FL (USA)

[road show to Milton and back to Meridian]

Sunday, March 4, 2001

Jackson, MS (USA)

[shopping with Nicky in Jackson - (Sam's Club at 1345L) - gas in Pearl, Mississippi (1420L)]