Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

Took off late this afternoon - bound for Europe. We almost didn't get out of Norfolk because all the airspace north of us (on the DELMARVA peninsula) was closed (really bad weather). Finally got a re-route around the storms and made it to Newfoundland around midnight. This was my first time stopping in Gander (we usually use St. John's). The runway is longer - that's good, I guess... Weather was awesome - wish we could have stayed. We had planned to fly on the North Atlantic Tracks (first time for that, too), but we had trouble getting our route and altitude. Luckily, we were empty and had some flexibility. Finally got on our way for the all night flight after about an hour on the ground.

Mackey Island, NC (USA)

We drove down to Pungo this morning - to enjoy a few hours of the annual Strawberry Festival. It was fun for the kids to see all of the livestock (cows, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, rabbits, ducks, bees) and produce. There was a carnival, live bands, a mechanical bull (named Wild Willy) and pig races. We watched a pretty funny clown and a pie eating contest. Of course, we also tried some strawberries - the shortcake was really good. Afterwards, we drove south from Pungo and visited a wildlife refuge just across the border in North Carolina. Mackey Island was really pretty - and the gravel roads were all open today for public access to the wetlands. We saw lots of snowy egrets, great blue herons, loons, turtles and red-winged blackbirds. Spent most of the sunny, pleasant afternoon on the island before driving down to the (free) ferry back to Currituck Landing. While aboard, we saw the nests of ospreys (and their chicks). I met one of the commissioners of the County and he explained how the far flung, water crossed county gets school kids to the only high school (ferry) and how he travels around to visit with his constituency. Interesting guy. Back on "mainland" side, we stopped for dinner at our favorite Sonic. Wanted to get some procucts at the Farmers' Markets - but they were already closed (1900). Drive home was easy.

Mayport, FL (USA)

Woke early at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Lexington - hoping for another great day!  Flight over to Jacksonville, North Carolina, was OK until we got there and it was raining... Still made it through OK. Flew north to Norfolk and found there were no clouds at all. Quick flight after that down to Jacksonville - landed at Mayport. Birds everywhere! I'm really amazed that we never hit any on landing or the takeoff. Back in Virginia Beach by 1500. Weather is great - hope we have time this weekend to visit the beach...

Lexington, KY (USA)

I'm getting tired from all this travelling. I think I would give anything for just a few days of doing nothing... Woke up early again and left from Hampton Roads before 0930. Stopped into Jacksonville, NC, to pick up a group and flew them over to Lexington, KY. The good news was that the flying was over around 1300. After checking into the Radisson Plaza Hotel (downtown), I found that my room was located on the 13th floor!  I didn't think they had 13th floors anywhere but now I wonder if they have a room 1308 like the recent movie... Yikes!  After meeting up with everyone again, we drove through the University of Kentucky campus. We hoped to find a restaurant nearby, but it wasn't until we drove around on KY-4 (a circle around the city) that we stumbled across "Harry's" bar and grill. We tried some of the local beer - Kentucky Ale and its cousin, Kentucky Ale cured in Bourbon (good!). Sat with a new guy who told us stories about his tours in Iraq, including a helicopter crash that he nearly didn't survive. After a few more hours, we drove over to a liquor store on US-68 to pick up some of the the good beer... By the time we were back at the hotel (1700), I was feeling tired. We watched some movies in the room (it started raining about this point). Went to bed early.

Fort Worth, TX (USA)

One of the guys woke me up at 0600 to tell me the part had not arrived as scheduled last night. About half an hour later, they had tracked it down. I tried to go back to sleep again, but Work then started to call - asking if I could go on another flight on Friday! I told them this wasn't such a good idea, asking me to fly in Virginia while I was still broken in Texas (not to mention that I haven't really been home for more than one day in the last few weeks...). They wouldn't stop bothering me - eventually they told me I was going on the flight even if I didn't want to... In other news: my plane finally got fixed by 1100. Ken and I rushed around to get everything ready to leave (including returning my rental car to Enterprise at 1110 and checking out of my room at the CBQ) and we left NAS JRB Fort Worth by 1200. Flight back OK - very bumpy with lots of cloud cover until just before we arrived in Virginia Beach. Stayed at work for a little while to sort out tomorrow's "good deal."

Househunting Trip - Day 3

Woke up this morning with plans to leave Fort Worth - it's been a good few days but it's time to go home.  I checked out of the La Quinta, filled up my rental car gas tank at Conoco in White Settlement.  After that, I headed to the base.  Soon after I arrived, I learned that my ride back to Hampton Roads had broken down upon arrival. I spent most of the morning trying to coordinate parts for the aircraft and driving my buddies from Atlanta (who planned to rescue our passengers) for food. Eventually, all but a handful of our maintenance guys (they came down for a memorial service for one of our guys who recently died) were left. We got rooms at the CBQ and I retrieved the rental car (Enterprise let me use the same one again) before beginning the long waiting process for the needed repair part (it was supposed to arrive at 2245)... For lunch, Ken and I drove over to the Railhead BBQ restaurant (see April 2007). Had some good food and hung out there for a few hours. Nicky called and told me that one of the houses I had found yesterday in Berkeley Place was open for a tour. Went over there at 1845 and looked inside - it was built around 1925 and had some unique charm to it. Kind of small, but neighborhood is nice. Afterwards, drove around the TCU campus. Ken wanted to go downtown to Sundance Square, so we went there next. It was my first time in that section of town - lots of great bars and restaurants. This place is barely a city: there are big buildings, but it feels like a town. Saw lots of people with Cowboy hats and boots... Back to the NAS JRB Fort Worth (CBQ) at around 2200. Waited all evening for news of the aircraft part (big surprise: it never showed up...). Bed at 2300.

Househunting Trip - Day 2

More job turnover this morning. After breakfast, I left the La Quinta and drove to the base.  I stopped at Sam's Club (0810) to get some gas and then met my outgoing counterpart, Sean, at my new office (0825).  He spent most of the morning showing me the paperwork side of my new position. Met lots of people and tried to get their input about where we should live. Lunch at a burger joint called Kinkaide's. More job training after lunch - laid a lot of groundwork for my arrival here in a few months. Left at 1500. Back at La Quinta for some map checks. Hot (37 degrees C). Drove up to Keller again to look around the city - checked out North Tarrant Parkway, US-377 and Heritage neighborhood again. Crossed I-35W to the West and found some good looking neighborhoods. Lots more places being built all the way back to I-820. Drove over to Aledo and back in to Benbrook. Pretty prairie and some nice homes, but this seems pretty far from work... Ended up in the TCU area of Fort Worth (University West and Berkeley Place areas). Very nice old homes with several rentals and lease to own homes. Might be worth a second look... Getting tired of driving (a lot in the last two weeks!). Back to hotel just before sunset - got some work emails done from the hotel. Bed early.

Househunting Trip - Day 1

Jump seated to Texas today for some more job training. Left around 1300 and had to stop at a few other places on the way. Stopped in St. Paul, MN, at the downtown airport on the way - cool views of the Mississippi River and downtown buildings (including some huge churches). Visibility was good enough to see all the way to Minneapolis, too. Arrived at Fort Worth by 1800L - my rental car (from Enterprise) was waiting and things were easy to find (because I have been here before - otherwise it would have been much harder!). After checking into my hotel (La Quinta Inn Fort Worth West Medical Center), I quickly changed (didn't need food because Nicky had packed me a big lunch) and headed out to look at potential home sites for our family's upcoming move. Took I-820 around the West side of Fort Worth and then drove north on I-35W. Got off at Heritage Trail and explored the amazing neighborhood that was recently built in that area. We've heard lots of good things about this place - and most of them turned out to be true. Drove back to the hotel via Downtown Fort Worth. The hour time-change helped with the exploring - hope I have a little more time to look around here before I have to go home.

Portland, ME (USA)

Was trying to sleep in this morning, but a little kid pulled the fire alarm at 0600... Couldn't get back to sleep, so played around on the internet for a little while. Was able to get some of the follow-up paperwork from the inspection visit completed and plan my next trip for next week. Checked out of my room at the NAS Brunswick CBQ and departed the base by around 1000.  I first drove up to Lewiston to check out their library (someone in my genealogy group has Coogan ancestors from there). It only took a little bit of time to find some good stuff and I got back on the road by around 1130. Next, I explored Freeport (LL Bean store and headquarters is there). Eventually, I worked my way down to Portland and checked out the waterfront and Old Port. Looks like a nice place to stay... Started to get worried about making my flight (weather not looking too good between Portland and Norfolk), so I filled up my gas tank at 1350 (Mobil station) and turned in my car at the Enterprise office (1415).  I was really early to the airport but it's important to note that my office had scheduled my departure on the last flight out.  Despite trying, though, I couldn't get a seat assignment earlier this morning and this made me nervous about not having a confirmed spot.  I thought I could fix that when I arrived but, unfortunately, United Airlines doesn't give seats out until 30 minutes before takeoff.  Another disappointing scenario: during my transit through TSA, I was forced to throw away several small containers I'd bought that had jam and maple syrup - dang...  After getting inside the gate area, I spent had a nice dinner at a Brew Pub. Also read a bit and time flew by. Made it on the full plane and we departed Maine just after 1900.  The trip to Dulles went OK (weather was not a factor) and we landed at around 2100. During the layover in Virginia, rain started and the flight filled up and I got nervous that I might get stranded (still no seat assignment).  Fortunately, I made it the aircraft and we left at 2215.  By the time we landed in Norfolk (a bit late, 2330), conditions were only misty. After getting my car out of the parking garage (0005),  I had a pretty easy drive home (arrived at 0030). Despite some hassles along the way (most in the commercial airline arena), this was a good trip.  I hope that the next few years of inspections (for my job) are like this!

Bath, ME (USA)

Power went out last night in the NAS Brunswick CBQ and I almost didn't get up in time for work... Spent all morning with the job training. Had lunch in Bath, on the Kennebec River. It was a very nice, bright day (a little windy) - needed sunglasses outside. Back to work for several hours after lunch. I went back into Bath for some shopping and sightseeing. Lots of good Maine products for sale there - people seem genuinely proud of the things that are locally produced. After this, started looking for Bowdoin college. There was such a huge traffic jam in the Brunswick area, I started looking for a way around. Found one after driving north along the Kennebec. I thought the college was in Bowdoin - wrong! It was actually in Brunswick - about two miles from my hotel... Oh well! I got to see some nice old farms, rolling hills, rivers and waterfalls. Ended up driving around the Bowdoin College campus for a little while. Saw a monument to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (hero of Gettysburg). Later met Sean for dinner and drinks at the Sea Dog Brewery. It got windy, so I had to move back inside after a few minutes outside on the river balcony (too bad). Tried the sampler of great beers (including a Maine Blueberry Ale - mmmm). Stayed for awhile and chatted - we both leave tomorrow. Back to room early (tired from last couple of days).  It's been a great visit to New England!

Gloucester, MA (USA)

Worked at NAS Brunswick today - learning my new job. A group of us had lunch at a little sandwich shop just outside of town. I had the "small" (no kidding!!!) lobster roll. After several more hours at work, everyone split and I had a chance to drive down to Massachusetts to see my sister, Katie. We decided to meet on the North Shore - probably about half-way for each of us. Katie graciously agreed to meet in Gloucester, a beautiful fishing town on the ocean. I got there around 1800 and explored the coast. On the harbor side, the water was really calm. But on the ocean side, there were big rocks and huge waves. Down by the calm water harbor, there is a monument to "those who go down to the sea in ships." Nearly 6000 Gloucestermen (fisherman) have died since the founding of the town in 1623. There is a memorial to over 5000 of them (their names written out on stone by the year they died). I have seen this place in movies and it was cool to be able to visit. Found the Gorton's Fish headquarters, too. Later, I met Katie at the Azorean (Portuguese) restaurant. Many of the people around this area come from the Azores (where I routinely visit). In fact, during my trip two weeks ago, our cab driver told me that many from Terceira have moved here. So, of course, the food was just like I expected from the Islands. It was a nice visit - Katie and I stayed until the restaurant closed. Afterwards, I still had to make the drive (a few hours) back to Maine.  I stopped for fuel in Kennebunkport at 0035 and arrived back to the NAS Brunswick CBQ by 0130. I'm glad I had an opportunity to see Katie - when our family moves, there won't be that many more chances...

Rangeley Lake, ME (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] My work thought I needed to make it to the airport extremely early (ouch). I parked in the long term garage at 0445 and was able to board my United Airlines flight on time.  We departed Hampton Roads by 0610. I had a layover at Dulles (Virginia) departed there at 0845.  As a result of all this early morning transportation, I ended up in Portland, ME by 1030. In hindsight, I feel quite lucky about this because I encountered dreadful weather, oversold flights and a huge number of business travelers...  Fortunately, Maine had beautiful skies - we could see the White Mountains during the arrival!  I had my rental car (from Enterprise) by 1050 and, after talking to a lady at the Information Desk at the Portland Jetport, decided to head north to see lakes and mountains.  I picked up some lunch on the way, drove through Lewiston and continued north on ME-4, ME-108 and ME-17. Saw lots of interesting farm scenery on the way. The roads followed the Androscoggin River part of the way and then the flat land gave way to rolling hills. Reached the peak of some 1000+ meter mountains. Best view of everything was at "Height of Land" (just south of Rangeley Lake). Spectacular visibility - very remote and quiet. Drove down to the lake afterwards and continued around the north side on ME-16. Between the town of Haines Landing and the NH border, saw two moose (each separated by a few miles) right next to the road (couldn't get camera out in time...). I doubled back and they seemed uninterested in me - still missed the photos (some blurry ones...). After crossing border, continued on NH-16 all the way to Gorham (on the so called "Moose Alley" - but didn't see any more). Decided to check out the Presidential Range (still great weather and could see them all the way down from the ME border). Got to Mount Washington about 30 minutes after the road closed - too bad. Still had some great views of the range. Drove back to Maine on US-2. Stopped near a stand of trees called the "Shelburne Birches." Nice man at visitor center explained that a World War I memorial for fallen local boys began with one tree per soldier. Now they cover a nearly five mile stretch of highway. Continued into Bethel and saw last remains of the World's largest Snowwoman (now just a pile of snow). Maine lobster at a restaurant in town (most of the town was closed). Uneventful drive back to the coast (2000). I'm staying in Brunswick at the Naval Air Station CBQ.  Looking forward to the week!

Key West, FL (USA)

Woke up early today (even without a lot of sleep...). Hung out for a while at the NAS Key West Navy Gateway Inn.  Later, I walked over (with Mike) to the Key West Visitors Center. I remembered that there were some good souvenirs there (see NOV 2004). Found some good Key Lime items for the kids and Nicky. Boy, it is really hot and humid here!!! I was sweating like crazy before we even went back to the plane. With an afternoon departure, the flight home was pretty easy - at least until we were on final approach and the weather decided to degrade significantly. Luckily, we made it on-deck in on the first try. Despite this experience, the weather in Hampton Roads felt much more pleasant (i.e., cool...).  Glad to be home!

Tocumen (Panama)

Day started off rainy, but by the time we were over Orlando, it was much nicer. It was hot, in fact, in Key West. Our trip down to Panama was nice - not much weather at all. Hazy, though, so we couldn't see much on the ground before reaching Tocumen airport. We saw the skyline of Ciudad de Balboa (Panama City) - some huge buildings! After completing our work, we took off into much nicer skies. I got to see the Panama Canal from the air today - north end. Could actually see the locks. Got back to Boca Chica around 2100L. After checking into my room at the NAS Key West Navy Gateway Inn, I got changed and then headed out for a little snack (2215).  After finding some food, I looked for a place called Kelly's in the old Pan Am building (a friend wanted me to pick up a t-shirt from there) - unfortunately, it closes at 2200... Despite the lateness, I continued walking around on Duval Street for awhile. When I finally found the rest of the group, they were at Sloppy Joes. It had been a good evening but I was tired - I ended up leaving before everyone else, although I got a drink at Fat Tuesdays for the walk back to the hotel.  Bedtime was well after midnight...