Keflavik (Iceland)

I woke up late due to the time-zone and our late evening arrival. Fortunately, I had a chance to look around near the Scandic hotel - there was some shopping within a short walk. I picked up some beer - I think it is from Denmark. When I rejoined the crew, I learned that we already had problems with our flight plans - we eventually got airborne in the early afternoon. Once again, the low cloud layer meant we couldn't see anything out the window. Meanwhile, the terrain alert was red everywhere and the charts showed mountains all around.  Fortunately, the departure took us through a fjord to the ocean. Wow - as the pilot flying, I was REALLY glad we had GPS and EGPWS... Flew over to Keflavik for fuel. Everything was very green! I never expected the weather that they had here today - I thought it would be cold like Norway... Now that I've seen this, I would really like to make another trip to Iceland. During the next leg, we saw many other things I have never seen before as a pilot.  For example, our route took us across northern Greenland and, as a result, our course brought us into the US from the north. The icy mountains in Greenland were really something to see - and there wasn't any sign of civilization for miles in all directions. It was also interesting to look down to see Goose Bay (Labrador), the St. Lawrence River and some great terrain in Quebec and Maine (including Mount Katahdin).  The weather was awesome and we could see for miles in all directions.  Wade was a local of the Pine Tree State and he kept pointing out great places that he knew about for fishing and paddling.  I wish this flight could have lasted longer... We stopped for fuel at NAS Brunswick and then headed back to Atlanta.  This was definitely an unforgettable trip!

Tromso (Norway)

The first item of good news this morning was when we discovered that we could make Norway without stopping. After checking out of the Delta Hotel, we left St. Johns (Newfoundland) and flew east. During this leg, I slept while Wade flew for me. During all my years of traveling, I have never gotten to visit a place north of the Arctic Circle but that changed today as we were heading for the city of Tromso.  The weather wasn't great when we arrived, so I couldn't see what was around us as we were flying in. We checked into the Scandic Tromso, a hotel near the airport.  However, with all the time-zone changes, it made finding a place to eat dinner difficult.  There was absolutely nothing to eat near the hotel or the airport. Luckily, we got a cab that took us into the town where the University was. As we drove, I started to notice some amazing things.  For one, the locals dug a tunnel clear through a HUGE mountain and the tunnel had stop signs and round-a-bouts! I have never seen anything like it. Once in the busier section of the city, we were able to find some drinks and get some food at Yonas Pizzeria (2320, right before the restaurant closed). Frank, Wade and I wandered around later and found some college pubs that were still open. It was very late when we went back to the Scandic, but it was really only about 2200 at home... What an interesting experience!

St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

[Mission to Norway - flying with Wade R and Frank C] We had lots of trouble getting out of the US today. First, we flew from NAS Atlanta to NAS Norfolk and landed right in the middle of a Weather Watch.  As a result, we couldn't take off for two hours. When we finally got going, it was clear that there would be problems with flying through Keflavik in the middle of the night. This required us to make major adjustments to our itinerary and we had to spend the night in St. Johns, Newfoundland. That was OK with me because I like that town. Our accommodations were at the Delta Hotel and Conference Center.  I had dinner at the Press and Bean (finished eating at 2010) and then explored the "downtown" area. Went to bed relatively late.  "Semper Gumby!"

Marietta, GA (USA)

[lunch at Slovakia Restaurant on Roswell Street]

Smyrna, GA (USA)

[I woke up in the morning in the Holiday Inn Express in Vinings/Smyrna - Nicky and I talked before I went to work and I was able to check out (with plans to return home in the evening)]

Smyrna, GA (USA)

[after I got home from work, Nicky and I had a big fight - in an effort to reduce the drama, I left the house and drove to the Holiday Inn Express in Vinings/Smyrna to spend the night]