Whidbey Island, WA (USA)

Woke up at 0530 and packed - still feeling effects of bad cold... Checked out of the Navy Lodge and then met up with the rest of the Inspection Team.  When we arrived at the NAS Whidbey Island Flight Line to meet our aircraft, we found that it was broken. Got a Subway sub for the road and finally got in the air by 1000. Flew down to Tacoma and waited for the next flight. This time, I got a chance to fly with Jon and Andy. When we departed the Seattle area (at around 1130), we got a great departure: flew right by Mount Rainier - wow! We also were treated to views of the Snake River (ID) and Great Salt Lake (UT). I had trouble clearing ears during descent, but was OK by the time we reached the ground. Weather was warmer - but clear and dry - in Fort Worth. Home around 1800.  Nice trip!

Anacortes, WA (USA)

Went in to work late today (1000) because I was scheduled to fly. Ended up waiting all day to take off (plane was broken). In the end, flew for a few hours with an old college buddy (Bob H.). It was a great experience, since this was a different version of my aircraft type. Saw all of Whidbey Island and the Olympic Peninsula - sunset was great, too. Landed around 2000 and drove with Steve up to Anacortes (stopped for souvenirs on the way) to meet the rest of the gang. Missed them for dinner, but they were over at the Brown Lantern again when we arrived. Watched OSU beat USC. Drove back to NAS Whidbey Island in some rain (first we have seen).  At the Navy Lodge, I watched some TV and went to bed at 2300. Getting a bad cold...

Oak Harbor, WA (USA)

More Whidbey Coffee this morning (for John & Dave) and then worked for most of the morning. Lunch at the Club. Worked until 1530 again. Met up with huge group (for dinner) tonight at "Flyers." Menu was restricted to burgers and sandwiches (!!), but I sweet talked the waitress into giving me a side of Dungeness Crab (mmmm....). Stayed until around 2000 and then drove over to the airfield with Jeff to meet some friends of ours who flew in this evening - Ken and Andy. Took them for dinner at "Mi Pueblo" (and had myself a margarita...). Back to the Navy Lodge at NAS Whidbey Island at around 2230 - bed.

Anacortes, WA (USA)

Woke up at 0500... Eventually got the day started with a delicious cappuccino from Whidbey Coffee. Worked for about four hours before having Subway for lunch. After finishing work around 1530, went back to change. My friend Jeff lives here now and he invited us to visit him in Anacortes - a town about 15 miles north of Oak Harbor. We left around 1700 and drove up WA-20. Stopped to enjoy the view at Deception Pass - more great weather! Arrived at the Brown Lantern at 1800. Dinner was good - including local brew. Visited with Jeff and his friends until around 2100. Back to my room at the NAS Willow Grove Navy Lodge and did paperwork until 2200...

Oak Harbor, WA (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] Flew from Fort Worth up to Whidbey Island today (with my old squadron buddy, Herb). As we descended into the airfield, could see nice homes on the water. Lots of logs washed ashore on the beaches. Arrived to great weather! Got checked into my hotel (Navy Lodge Whidbey Island) in Oak Harbor and enjoyed a few hours of the pleasant Fall evening. Later, went with the guys to watch Monday Night Football at a nearby sports bar (restaurant attached - Hendersons). Stayed out until around 2100. Tried to stay awake in the room to get on the time zone - bed at 2230.

Beaufort, SC (USA)

Got an unexpected flight today. We didn't leave until around 1300, but I'm glad to go at all! Flew over to South Carolina - very uneventful until the last 20 minutes (thunderstorms). Flight up to Camp Springs, Maryland, was also OK. Leaving for our return trip to Fort Worth, however, was the most challenging work all day. Had to fly slow airspeeds and stay low for much longer than usual. The controllers sounded really busy - and ticked off - so we eased our way over towards West Virginia with great relief. Arrival into Fort Worth was also congested, but Fort Worth Center is much easier to talk to, sometimes...

Irving, TX (USA)

Chuck called last week and told me that Bonnie had some leftover seats for the Cowboys-Eagles game tonight. Asked at work - and everyone wanted to go! Ended up going with eight co-workers to the final Monday Night Football game at Texas Stadium. Took forever to get to the stadium (nearly two hours) and get home (also two hours), but the game in the middle was unforgettable! We saw a 98 yard kickoff return, a Terrell Owens 60+ yard catch, fumbles and sacks - a great time! The Cheerleaders were there and the crowd was LOUD... The only other game I had ever attended at Texas Stadium was in November 2000 - and the game wasn't sold-out - this was MUCH different. Had a great time...