Jamestown, VA (USA)

It was cold, but we headed up to Jamestown anyway. We first (1045) stopped at Historic Jamestowne (National Park) and watched artisans making glass. Starting at 1130, the kids completed a Junior Ranger program and, in the process, we saw some interesting historical artifacts. Later, we drove over to the Jamestowne Settlement (a recreation of the 1607 fort). We got some lunch there at about 0220.  The experience was great - definitely worth a repeat! Stopped for some souvenirs on the way out (1710).  On the way home, we stopped in Hampton to drive through a Christmas light display - it was pretty good!

Richmond, VA (USA)

[Took time off from work so I could drive to Richmond Airport to meet with an FAA Air Carrier Inspector. He helped me fill out all the paperwork for adding the DC-9 type rating to my commercial license.  On the way home, I stopped for a visit at York River State Park]

Guantanamo (Cuba)

It had been a great trip and visit to some tropical islands - very memorable, all around!  Kevin and I got up early so we could fly back to Norfolk for another crew swap. Before we could fly, though, we had to make a trip across Guantanamo Bay to the airport is fun - they've been using a speedboat to move us around. The weather was great and the flight back to Norfolk was easy.  A replacement crew was waiting to fly our aircraft [and the Globetrotters] back to the Azores. I was very happy to have gotten to have so much "liberty" time during this trip, meet some nice people and get a lot of great new experiences.  I've got a great job!

Bermuda (Bermuda)

Got up early and checked out of the Mid Atlantic Lodge.  The crew assembled quickly and we thought we'd be airborne on time.  However, when we got to the aircraft, we found it was broken. Unfortunately, this was right about the time that our other aircraft landed with the Globe Trotters and Karen onboard. After some consultation, we traded aircraft so that we could keep the Trotters going on their way to Cuba. Kevin and I were able to keep flying together and we planned a for fuel in Bermuda.  It was my second time on the island (see MAY 1999) and, overall, was an interesting experience (scenery wise and pushback & checklist wise).  The whole time, I was thinking about how great it would be if we could stay...  As usual, though, we were quickly on our way again. The flight to Cuba just before night fall. Karen invited us to attend a fancy shindig at one of the VIP houses. It has been awhile since I was on this island for the night (see Summer 1988). People treated us well, mostly (I think) because they remembered me from a previous trip (I set up transportation for a jazz festival in 2004). We got a nice house to sleep in and use of a van. Feeling like VIPs, we drove over to the Globetrotter Welcome Party and rubbed elbows with everyone for several hours.  There was lots of good food and nice view of the Bay. Went back to sleep relatively early.  Life is good!

Angra do Heroismo, Azores (Portugal)

After a nice sleep in the Mid Atlantic Lodge, I ate breakfast at the Base Exchange (0900).  I was then able to get a rental car from Lajes Lodging (1045) and, with the entire crew aboard, drove around the island to see places we normally don't have time to visit. First, we drove down towards Praia and then found a back road up to the top of a hill overlooking the harbor. When we fly in, we have always noticed the statue on the hill (you can also see it lit at night from the town). We discovered that it was a statue of Mary and that it was supposed to bring blessings to the sailors from Praia. It was very windy and we later went down to the seashore to see the five foot waves and huge breakers. It was misty and a little rainy (not cold, though). Finally got back on the road and headed over to the town of Angra (opposite side of the island). We walked around there - it is bigger and more urban than Praia. It was a nice experience and we had some good food for lunch. Lots of history over there, too. Later, the sun started to shine on the west side of the island and we had time to enjoy an area with no wind (the mountain really cuts it down, I guess). We bravely drove up to the top of this mountain - it was like driving in the clouds! Too bad we couldn't see anything (except for a lot of antennas - useful to pilots!). At the end of the day we drove down towards Praia, having made a complete circle of the island. We saw an nice golf course on the way - Kevin got excited... Dinner was at the Top of the Rock Club (ordered at 2050). We leave tomorrow.

Vila Praia da Vitoria, Azores (Portugal)

[flying with Kevin F - flight to Lajes] Kevin and I are pretty happy with ourselves, since we were able to get to the Azores in one leg!. Even though it was already late there, we still had the most time on the ground I have ever had (it will end up being around 30 hours!). We checked into the Mid Atlantic Lodge (Air Force Inns) and then headed into Praia to do some shopping. As I have before, I found lots of Christmas (called Natal here) stuff to bring home for Nicky and the kids. We wanted to eat at O Pescadors but it was closed. Instead, we found a Mexican place - it was the only restaurant available but the food was pretty good. During the meal, it was agreed that we should explore the rest of the island tomorrow...