Marietta, GA (USA)

After checking out of our hotel (Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest at Windy Hill), we finished up our visit to Atlanta this morning. It was a miserable day - glad we got nicer weather before this. Had breakfast at Chick-fil-a (didn't know they did breakfast...). Got to fly with an old friend, Ron, on the way back to Fort Worth. Weather was great! Glad to be back in Texas and its wide open spaces...

Marietta, GA (USA)

Up early again - had to finish all our work and write-ups before noon. Got everything done on time and then met up with a HUGE lunch crowd. We went to everyone's favorite: Williamson's Bar-B-Que. Hadn't been there in a few years - it was good. Saw around 20 guys I haven't seen in forever, including my old boss. He told me he thought I had retired years ago (that makes me old, doesn't it?). Networked pretty well - lots of good job prospects for someday in the future... On the way back, stopped to visit by friend Thom - who still works in the same office as he always had. We talked about the city, old friends and the Knights. Brought back how much I miss the guys from here... Walked over to see the ladies who coordinated my Master's Degree Program - they were glad to see me. Turns out, they are moving to another office next month - so I would have missed them if I came by later. Good visits all around all day! One more round of meetings and a wrap up for the group around 1630. In the hotel (Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest at Windy Hill) around 1700 - just planning to relax tonight. Got some good work done tonight - can probably go home right after we get back to Fort Worth (I hope)...

Marietta, GA (USA)

Started the day with my work colleagues at our hotel (Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest at Windy Hill) and then headed to NAS Atlanta.  My counterpart, Herb, was gone for the day, so I had most of the day to catch up on work from home. Got connection with files and phone lines - really helps to finish up important tasks. Sprang a drill on the guys after lunch (with a little warning, though...) and it went well. Also learning about contracts and other inspections from some of the "experts" with me. Finished around 1600 again - Brandon wanted to leave earlier, but we got hung up at a late meeting. He told me that our old friend, Nora, had invited us to dinner with her family. Drove over into Kennesaw around 1800 - Brandon took me on a tour of his old neighborhood. Saw lots of familiar places before arriving at Nora's (1900). Trip over reminded me that I am really glad to not have to deal with this kind of traffic any more!!! Nora and Eric have a great house! Talked business and family and had a great steak dinner. Stayed pretty late - and only left when we found out they are going on a trip in the morning (they never mentioned it earlier!). Back at the hotel around 2200. Brandon is sick (hope I don't get it!). Watched World Series until around midnight - then bed.

Marietta, GA (USA)

Woke up in my nice hotel (Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest at Windy Hill) at around 0600 and got all "dressed up" for our arrival at the place where I used to work. I just realized this morning that I haven't been around here for more than a few hours since I left in 2005... Lots of familiar faces when we showed up. An old buddy of mine is the boss of the place now - that was something to see. Everyone on their best behavior for us - lots of meetings in the morning. Eventually got to work looking over the safety programs around 0930. Talked with Herb, who I met here when I first arrived in 2002 - feel weird inspecting him. Got some good stuff done before lunch - we headed over to another old office of mine to check out some of the other aircraft. Lunch with Herb at Quizno's down the street - an old favorite. Back after lunch to do some more research and ask more questions... Finished around 1600 and went back to hotel to change. Ended up with everyone from work at the bar called Johnny McCracken's (on Marietta Square). Weather is great, so we were outside mostly. Chatted for several hours and then walked over to the Marietta Pizza joint for a Stromboli (good...). Back to the hotel around 2300 - bed...

Marietta, GA (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] Went in early to work today - bags packed - for a 0900 departure and learned that we weren't going anywhere until 1400. Had time to get some important work done, though. Even had a chance to eat lunch at a Thai place in White Settlement with a bunch of guys who normally aren't in town when I am. Later caught a ride with some old work friends on the flight over to Atlanta - we're working there this week. Outstanding scenery all the way - including Tennessee River and central Alabama. Saw North Georgia Mountains and Lost Mountain on the way in. Arrived at NAS Atlanta (Marietta) at around 1700 and got our rental car. My suitcase has had it - too much traveling, I think! Thought our hotel would be near the Galleria Mall but, instead, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest at Windy Hill (very nice). Brandon did all the driving... After a short time getting settled, an old friend (Frank) came by to pick us up for dinner. Didn't go far away - just down the road to Papadeaux's. It had Cajun / Naw'lins style food. Had a great plate of blackened Mahi smothered with Sherry sauce and seafood (lobster, scallops, shrimp). Brandon got the double-fudge chocolate cake after dinner (I tried a little...). Back to the hotel around 2200 - Monday Night Football on. Went to bed around 2300 - seemed early...

Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

Woke up early, checked out of my room at the NAS Oceana CBH and headed over to the airport for my flight home. I'd originally been scheduled on an American Airlines flight out of Norfolk at 1340L but was able to catch a different a squadron airlift that was already headed to Texas!  While waiting to depart, I ate breakfast at McDonalds and then visited with more former work friends. We departed NAS Oceana at around 0900 and we were in Fort Worth (Carswell) by 1100L (five hours earlier than if I'd gone commercial). Nicky picked me up - it was good to see her and the kids.  What a great trip!  Still trying to get back on the time zone...

Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

Left Travis AFB just after midnight (California time) - great flight all the way back to Virginia. Too bad the sun wasn't coming up when we flew right over the New River Gorge (see AUG 2007) because that would have looked awesome...  Unfortunately, the bright sunlight affected our arrival into Hampton Roads - this is always a tough way to finish a mission (all night flight ends with day landing... One lucky break was that there was no one else flying at NAS Oceana when we got there. After we tied up all the loose ends from the flight, I visited some of my old friends from work. Tried to stay up to get back on East Coast time, but eventually felt SOOO sleepy. Checked into my hotel (NAS Oceana CBH) and managed to get around four hours of good rest. Later, I did laundry and started packing for tomorrow. Also did a little exploring (even without a car car) and shopping the CBH. Hope to get a good sleep tonight and wake up at a reasonable time in the morning - Fort Worth tomorrow night!

Honolulu, HI (USA)

Tried to sleep late (in my room at Hilton Waikik/Prince Kuhio) but was awake by 0900.  Nicky called right after that so I didn't bother trying to get more sleep. Instead, got some work done ("wireless working") and then headed down to the beach for "brunch." Explored the recently renovated Outrigger Reef (this used to be our usual overnight lodging). Got back to hotel and finished up the last of the paperwork before it was time to leave (1330).  When we got to the plane, everything went really smoothly and we took off right on time (1530). Thought we would have bad weather, but we lucked out - it was west of Oahu. Started having radio problems about half way through the flight but got a relay from someone - next radio communication off the coast of California. Arrived for a fuel stop (Travis AFB) around 2300. We were a little ahead of schedule - but that is a good thing...

Honolulu, HI (USA)

I was awake on time and hoped we could get going early again.  However, we had a lot of trouble getting ahold Majuro Operations and I started to wonder if we'd be unable to leave Guam.  It is always a hard one to coordinate... Fortunately, I reached them just before our ride arrived to pick us up from at the hotel (Guam Resort & Spa by Marriott).  Even with all the worry and work, we managed to take off about two hours early.  We were all hoping it would pay off with longer time on the ground in Hawaii. Encountered lots of weather on the way to Majuro. Finally got clear about 300 miles west of Kwajelein. Saw lots of atolls along the way and listened to some funny conversations on the radio. We've gotten to know one of the guys in Japan quite well - we talk to him each day to relay for us and he seems to enjoy the conversation (I guess he got stuck working on the holiday weekend...). As we were arriving in the Marshall Islands, we ended up in a conversation with an aircraft that had just taken off (VFR) from Majuro as we were approaching the island. First time I've ever gotten an urgent message about traffic from Oceanic... We tried to help him out (his radio was weak) so that he could continue his flight down to Australia. He started to make us mad after about 20 minutes, though - the more we helped him, the more bossy and annoying he got. We eventually landed and let another plane try to work things out for him. On the ground, we saw our friend Claus again (we always joke that he secretly tells himself "It's my island!"). Back on our way again after less than an hour. Immediately heard the annoying private pilot again - but we ignored him on the radio (we let Majuro try to sort it out). Boy, was he ticked off - he had to come back to land and refuel because he ended up getting denied clearance to continue (must be an expensive lesson to learn: don't take off without clearance...). Crossed the date line and got to relive yesterday... Flight was actually pretty easy to Hawaii - got our passengers there almost three hours early and got good service. This time we are staying at the Hilton Waikiki / Prince Kuhio. Arrived around 2300 and had just enough time to walk down to Duke's for some drinks and a late-night snack before they closed (0030). Everyone was in really good spirits - just have one more (long) day of flying to get the rest of the trip done. Later walked down to Kelley O'Neill's. Back to the hotel around 0200 and went to bed.

Tumon Bay (Guam)

Decided to leave about an hour early today - with the blessing of our passengers. After checking out of the CBH NAF Atsugi, we made good time getting the aircraft ready to go.  Our departure weather was really good and we got some nice views of Mount Fuji during the climb out.  We also had no problems on the way to Okinawa. Had hoped to get some yakisoba today but everything was closed (holiday?). Made good time getting back airborne again. There was a little weather on our trip down to Guam, but it was very nice when we landed. Got a ride over to the Marriott Guam Resort & Spa.  It was a nice place to stay but I still thought it was too bad we couldn't stay at the Pacific Island Club this time... Spent some time with the guys down by the pool and then went across the street to do some shopping. Getting a little tired from the many different time zones... Bed at 2000.

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

Woke up early and was checked out of the Hilton Hawaiian Village by around 0700.  We left Honolulu by 0930 - bound for Wake Island. I haven't been there for a few years because it got hit by a T-5 (typhoon) back in 2006. It was good to be back - the views of this historic island from the air were cool and they still had the "Thai Box Lunch" that I remembered (mmm...). We hit one bird (probably a White Tern) on the approach - but missed 29 others (whew!). Had to drag Rocky and Bruce back to the plane - they were having so much fun taking pictures and looking at all the World War II sights. On our way again soon after and arrived in Atsugi about two hours ahead of schedule. Met up with my friend who still works there - he got us a ride to the hotel. Weather was pleasant - but it gets dark here much earlier than back home. Went to Mass - made it just before it started. Later (at the CBH NAF Atsugi), did some laundry and then went over to the club to see what was going on. Hardly anyone was around when I got there, but about an hour after my first Asahi a huge group showed up to celebrate someone's birthday. They didn't kick me out (even though it was a private party) and I ended up having some great conversation for a few more hours. Met up with Mike later to get everything ready for tomorrow. Bed around 2300.

Honolulu, HI (USA)

Got a call yesterday that my old buddies needed a hand with a week-long trip. They flew in to Fort Worth this morning and picked me up. Our flight over to Moffet Field (near San Jose) was uneventful - weather was great there. Took off for Hawaii around 1430. Turns out that this was the first time Mike had been out of the country in several years - everything for the trip is going to be a "first" for him. Same goes for a few of the other guys... Flight to Honolulu was pretty easy, too. Arrived to awesome view of Pearl Harbor and the mountains on the North Shore of Oahu. After a short delay, arrived at our hotel - the Hilton Vacation Village. Stopped for a Mai Tai at the hotel lounge and then went next door to one of our favorite haunts for a couple more. Found some more Kona coffee for Nicky... Bed around 2100.

Richardson, TX (USA)

Went to a funeral this morning on the Northeast side of Dallas. I was asked by my Boss to participate in the service honoring a veteran. Several other people from work went too. It was a very moving experience - and hard to do, since everyone was very distraught. The service was outdoors - luckily, it stopped raining just long enough to get the service done. Afterwards, the family graciously asked us to join them for a family lunch, held at a Japanese restaurant called Ajisen. Food was good, reminded me of Yokohama...