Niagara Falls, NY (USA)

Didn't leave really early - enjoyed the cool, Fall breezes at the airport. After reluctantly departing the Niagara Lodge, we flew from the Buffalo area to Hampton Roads.  Rode all the way home today - this allowed me to get some more grad school work done. Arrived in Virginia at around 1600. Overall, this was a great trip - it makes me think I shouldn't mind the new 30 day trips instead of the old 17 day trips. As long as the weather is good and I have a chance to explore, I will be glad to go to Europe many more times!

Niagara Falls, NY (USA)

We were up early and, after checking out of the Navy Lodge, departed Rota.  We made our usual stop in Lajes and were headed west from the Azores quickly.  Dropping into St. John's for fuel, we found it was very cold!!! Glad I have my coat... From Newfoundland, we flew on towards Niagara Falls, NY, a place I've been here before, but never in an airplane. The itinerary made for a nice treat, since Charlie got us approved to fly the "Falls Tour" just before landing. This clearance allowed us to fly around at 4000 feet over the falls - everyone got good pictures. After landing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, we headed towards the Niagara Lodge, one of the nicest looking Air Force Inns (including inside) I've ever seen.  Wow!  Feeling very spoiled, I expected that we'd just relax in the luxury.  However, Mike had set up a dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe for our entire group (20 people). Everything was very fancy - Hard Rock had little place cards with our names and had a special menu for us. After a satisfying meal, we walked around the area near the falls for a few hours after dinner - it was fun. What a great way to end our Detachment!

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

After checking out of the NAS Sigonella CBQ today, we departed Sicily at around 1630 - on our way towards home. I'd thought we'd be going all the way to the Azores but we got to stop for the night in Rota instead. We landed early enough so that we can get on our way first thing in the morning. Charlie and I will be flying together again tomorrow... Our whole squadron stayed at the Navy Lodge this time - very nice!  

Hyeres (France)

Charlie and I had to fly early this morning - despite the fact that it was our day to leave for home. The trip wasn't too complicated - just a run to Naples and then over to Le Palyvestre on the coast. Weather was great - no delays (not even a slot time in Naples)! Had some trouble with language (no one wants to speak English in that part of France) and flight clearance leaving Hyeres, but it all worked out in the end. Back to Sicily around 1430 - the other crew was waiting with our (already packed) bags and the plane was ready to fly again in an hour...

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Gambino Winery, Sicily (Italy)

Gary has been telling me for years that we needed to go over to this winery (near Taormina). We filled up both vans with everyone we could fit (20 guys). When we arrived at the winery, it was hard to get the fully-loaded vans up the hill, but we finally did. The winery staff was waiting for us and seated us at a table for 20. I had a great time sampling the wines with local produce, meats and cheeses. We stayed for several hours and almost everyone bought a case of wine before we left. Had a little trouble finding our way home, but everyone made it eventually. This ranks as one of the awesome experiences of traveling. To be honest, I never really wanted to go to a winery before today. But I'm a believer now...

Patti, Sicily (Italy)

Drove up to Patti again today. I always end up taking orders from everyone for china - they never seem to want to come themselves... Took the long way (around the West side of Etna). Found a pretty view of the terrain - complete with statue of Jesus on a little hill - near Cesaro. Drove through a national forest and saw the Patti/Tindari coast line from the top of the ridge. Found some good seconds and was going to leave, but thought it would be nice to say "hi" to Mr. Caleca. Met him and thanked him for the good dishes for our family! Then drove back towards Catania through the mountains. Stopped at the Gole Alcantara (Alacantara Gorge). Pretty. Back to the coast for a quick drive home. No problem on the autostrada - good views of Taormina.

Souda Bay, Crete (Greece)

Spent a relaxing morning in the hotel - unwinding from last night... Met Charlie and John for a late breakfast. Great view of Chania again from the balcony. Took off just after 1400 on the way back to Sicily - no problems on the flight. Had a good dinner with the rest of the group tonight at Bon Gustaio.

Platanias, Crete (Greece)

I've been hoping to come here for the night for awhile... Many times when I have landed in Souda Bay, the handler (Nick) has told me I need to stay and enjoy the food and culture. So I finally took him up on the offer! After we landed, Nick told us where we should go for a great time. We stayed in the Royal Sun hotel - overlooking Chania. Had a few drinks with John and Charlie at the bar and then got a cab to the town of Platanias. I had never thought of coming down this way before - it was worth the trip. It is a resort for Scandanavian and English tourists and they were still out on the beaches (most everyone else would think it was too cold...). We spent most of the day there and then walked back to Agia Marina for dinner at a restaurant that Nick had recommended. It was called "Italiana" (Italian Restaurant). When we walked in, I asked for Mr. Costas and he came out - the manager! It turns out, he is Nick's (at the airport) cousin - there are four Nick's in their family because they are all named for their paternal grandfather (a tradition here). We sat down at a table within 20 feet of the ocean (great view overlooking the Bay of Chania). "Restaurant Nick" told us that all the wine we wanted was on the house (a good start) and then asked us what kind of food we would like. We said we wanted something authentically Greek and he brought out little sample plates. All the while, he brought some delicious local wine, bread and olive oil (all, as it turns out, made at his father's vinyard). "Restaurant Nick" kept coming back to our table and sat with us a few times. We had one of the best meals I have eaten - certainly one of the most memorable! When dinner was done, Nick sat with us at the table (most of the tourists had left) and drank ouzo (also from his father's vinyard). After many toasts (with the call "Yamas"), we got ready to leave. Our bill was too small for such an experience (four hours!), but we made sure we let Nick know how much we appreciated his hosting us. "Airport Nick" never made it to see us - his grandmother died tonight... Later, we took a cab back to Platanias and enjoyed an evening of drinks and fun at some of the good pubs there. Home very late...

Sembach (Germany)

Had a chance to fly up to Germany this morning for a tour of the weather office in Sembach. I told the other guys to bring some Italian wine to trade with the locals. While I was in Sembach, they got a tour of a local local liquor store - they picked up some good stuff (including Kolsch - see JUL 1986). Meanwhile, I was treated like a VIP and given the five star tour of operations at the weather office. It was really something and I'll have a lot of good things to write about when I get home (boss wants a good explanation of how things work). Flight home was good - we got approved to go to Souda tomorrow. No takers in the group, though - Charlie is mad that people won't take advantage of these situations... I guess everyone wants to hang around in Sigonella (????). Tonight we had a late cook-out and tried out the beer we had bought. I think I like the Kolsch now (I guess it takes 20 years to acquire a taste for it...).

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Erice, Sicily (Italy)

I have never known anyone to go here, but I recently learned that there was a "Norman City on a hill near Trapani." Some photos showed it like a city in the clouds. In the end, I can truly say I agree. Mike and I walked around the city for several hours - in sunshine and clouds. There were amazing churches with spectacular sculptures and artwork. There were cobblestone streets and castle ramparts. We had a nice lunch and had some drinks on a bluff overlooking Trapani. I would definitely return here!

Segesta, Sicily (Italy)

I had seen this Greek Temple on many TV shows and heard about its beauty, but visiting it made me even more impressed. While Agrigento has lots of well preserved temples along a high ridge, this temple was spectacular in its silent solitude in a deep valley. From all angles, this was very picturesque.

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

[itinerary uncertain - confirmed Rota to Sigonella (times uncertain)]

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

Charlie made it into town early yesterday (while we were still gone), so he was raring to fly around noon today. We had a good flight - Sicily to Crete to Rota. Along the way, we saw some good scenery: Etna, Chania, Las Palmas and Ibiza.  Our mission ended for the night in Spain and we got rooms at the Naval Station CBQ for the night.  Luckily, we had some time to go into town for a late dinner.  Great to be in Spain!

Frankfurt (Germany)

Woke at 0400, checked out of the Hodja Inn (Air Force Inns) and left Incirlik at 0500. Still dark almost all the way to Frankfurt. Landed early in the morning - and promptly set off all the noise alarms. I guess this wouldn't be a big deal around here on a weekday, but we had the misfortune of making a lot of noise with our engines on a Saturday before 0700L. Still, after lots of threats (directed at us) in German, we got on our way home. Intercepted again by the Swiss over the Alps - got pictures this time. Home (at Signonella) by 1000. Took a nap for several hours and then found some more of the guys. Eventually, went out to dinner with everyone at Valentino's. John and some of the others leave in the morning.

Incirlik (Turkey)

Worked very hard on my graduate school paper today. I really didn't expect to have this much time on the ground, so I'm glad I brought my laptop at all. Got a lot of good writing done and used the wireless internet to finish up some class discussion. Susan also has lots of class work, so it was good to have someone around to keep me from wanting to go across the street to the water park again... John and Julius came back from shopping late in the day and we all went out to dinner. I also found some good shops for souvenirs. One more night in the Hodja Inn!  We'll be leaving very early...

Incirlik (Turkey)

We were supposed to leave today, but we learned we'll be held here while our passengers complete some important work.  That's OK with me because I like the Hodja Inn!  We actually won't leave until the 16th. I found out that there is a water park across the street from my hotel and spent a lot of the afternoon there. Hardly anyone else was around - their loss...

Incirlik (Turkey)

After checking out of the Swisshotel this afternoon, we left Ankara at around 1800 - bound for Incirlik.  We landed at 1900 and checked into the Hodja Inn (Air Force Inns). This was my first chance to stay the night in this interesting place: usually, I just pass through here. The area near our lodging was pleasant - with a water park across the street. This place has lots of great shopping and restaurants - all within a few miles from where we are staying. I look forward to exploring tomorrow morning...

Ankara (Turkey)

Today, I took one of the more memorable trips I have taken. Flew up from Sicily in the morning and, when we were flying over Switzerland, got intercepted by Swiss F-18s. That was cool. We landed in Frankfurt and picked up our passengers on time. John and Julius flew the flight down to Ankara while I worked on my grad school homework. When we arrived at our lodging, a Swisshotel, it was clear that we would be the only ones here for the night. I took a tour of all of the facilities and learned that they had a Turkish Bath (called a Hamam) available for only 50 Euros. While everyone else went out for Mexican food (?), I got the best sauna, steam bath, massage and hard rub down that I could ever have imagined. The whole experience was kind of mind-numbing, and I nearly fell asleep a few times. When it was over, they put me in a cool room where I could relax. It was quiet and cool. I went to dinner (at Cafe Swiss, the hotel restaurant) and met the manager, who told me she was just wrapping up the construction and evaluation stages (I guess it was new). What an interesting career - build the hotel, develop the amenities and then move to another new hotel! Sounds like a good business...

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Ramstein (Germany)

Only had to fly up to Germany and back today, so we took advantage of our stop and got some good stuff at the store. Met some nice guys when we landed who told us about some good shopping opportunities... Weather was great in both directions - saw the Alps and Cote d'Azur.

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Warsaw (Poland)

Woke up early and, after checking out of the Scandic Copenhagen, headed back to the airport. Had some problems in Copenhagen with our plane, but eventually got out of there. Flight down to Poland was interesting - I've never been in this part of Eastern Europe. When we landed, I had some time at the airport - enough to run to the Duty Free shop. They had great souvenirs - chocolate, beautifully colored eggs and boxes and more. It was difficult to understand any of the words or money here - I needed some more time in this interesting country! We flew from Warsaw over to Germany for one last passenger drop. No time for a visit to the beer store, but I hope to get that chance later... Home in Sicily by 2000.

Copenhagen (Denmark)

Had a good flight up to Copenhagen. When we were trying to clear security to get to our hotel, one of the guys ended up getting caught with a knife! What an idiot! I was surprised that anyone would think they could have a knife in an airport, but the security folks simply took it away. Serves him right, but I missed my tour of the beer factory in the process. Still, it is a real treat to be able to spend the night in this amazing city! After checking into our hotel (the Scandic Copenhagen), I walked along the streets and gardens with Doc. The famous statue of the Little Mermaid was not as impressive as I had thought (lots of industrial buildings in the photos), but the parks and interesting architecture made up for it. We saw lots of evidence of Hans Christian Anderson, a huge park called Tivoli Gardens, and spent some time roaming around the shopping and restaurant districts along the canals. Had some coffee and snacks later with Karl - he's been off exploring on his own. Walked back to the hotel via some souvenir shops - interesting visit!

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

[Worked all day...  During my lunch break, I bought a Vodafone sim card for my Motorola flip phone.  This has worked for me before and I was hoping to make some calls to the family without needing a pay phone]

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Souda Bay, Crete (Greece)

Another routine flight to Crete and back. Saw my friend, Nick, at the airport. He actually asked me if I was Greek. When I said no - but that my Grandmother was Italian - he made the comment "Same blood, same family." I told him we'd try to return for an overnight in Souda this month - he promised to show us around...

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all day...

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

Beautiful morning - wish we could have stayed... After checking out of the Mid-Atlantic Lodge (Air Force Inns), we flew over from Terceira to Rota.  Once fueled up, we continued to Sicily with no problems. (arrived in early afternoon). Peter and Max met us and told us they wanted to have dinner in Siracusa. It was great to go down to the waterfront and relax with such nice weather. Usually, our groups are like ships passing in the night - we never do this kind of thing. We had around 10 guys at dinner and stayed well into the evening. The other guys leave tomorrow - and they said there won't be much flying for us this month...