Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

After checking out of the Colony South Hotel & Conference Center in Clinton, MD (0610), our Inspection Team departed (with Andrews Air Force Base duty drivers) for the airfield.  We ended up departing the DC area very early - it was rainy, cold and miserable in Camp Springs and I'm glad we left... Our airlift crew crew decided to stop for fuel in Gander - the weather there was clear but crisp.  From the North American Mainland, we flew all the way to Sicily. Played video games all day and read a little. Unfortunately, we couldn't see much below the aircraft because there were too many clouds.  Still flying at midnight...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 6

We got a late start, but soon we were back on the road to Fort Worth! With the time zone change, the drive took longer... We stopped near Amarillo, TX, to see some cars that were buried [vertically] in the ground along the Interstate. We made it back home late...

Clinton, MD (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] Didn't have to get up early today, but did anyway - Nicky and the kids left to go shopping in Santa Fe. Said goodbye to my family since they were going home without me (see separate blog entry by Brenna for this date).  Since I was leaving from the airport just after lunch, Chuck took me over to have lunch at a pub called "The Library".  It was a relaxing (and cheeky) stop before my long day... Arrived at the terminal about 1.5 hours before takeoff and made it through to the gate with plenty of time to spare.  My connection was through Fort Worth, just in case I couldn't get all the way to the DC area for the night.  On the first flight (American Airlines, departed Albuquerque at 1410L), I was onboard a (familiar ) MD-80 and then got a B737-800 for the second leg (also American Airlines, departed DFW at 1905L).  Both flights and the service were great. Made it to Reagan National around 2245 - even got my bag! Hailed a taxi (from a local drive named "Downtown Brown") for a quick ride over to the hotel (Colony South Hotel & Conference Center), located next to Andrews Air Force Base.  After I checked in (2355), I found out that the rest of the group was already waiting for me (at the pub) - it was great to see them. Spent about an hour trying to fix something with my travel itinerary, but eventually got to bed very late.  Family Vacation time is over - bring on the work trip...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 5

We got to stay in Albuquerque for one more day - the cousins wanted to go shopping in Santa Fe! Everyone stopped on the way to make adobe bricks. Later, we got to check out the Georgia O'Keefe museum. Erin did a paper on the artist last year in school. Lots of fun times all day! The evening at Tamaya was sad, but we live close enough to be able to come to ABQ again soon!

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 4

So stuffed from yesterday... I didn't think I would be able to eat today, but I found room (I'll regret it, too...). Spent a lot of the morning around the hotel, but the girls all went over to Elizabeth's Baby Shower around noon. The guys all went out to watch football at a restaurant called Twin Peaks. Stayed there for several hours, then drove down to the ABQ Indoor Karts - go-carts. Got to race with 10 guys for around four hours (3 races) - it was really fun. I did OK, but Tim was the fastest driver in most of the races. Headed back to the hotel around 2000 and spent the rest of the evening with the family - and saying good-bye. Kids had lots of fun watching movies and visiting...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 3

Turkey Day! Got up early - but took our time getting ready. Over at Bonnie's for most of the morning - then changed. Lots of photos around 1200, then dinner at the Santa Ana Cafe (right down the hall). Had an awesome buffet-style turkey dinner. Everyone in good spirits - at two huge tables. It was very rainy, but we had a nice dinner under some plastic tarp (covering the open air seating). Big heaters kept us warm... After stuffing ourselves, went back to Bonnie's for some football and visiting. I made a CD with photos from previous gatherings - everyone liked that. We also watched Ellen's wedding video. Snacked on crackers, cheese and other goodies until around 1900. It was fun! The kids made paper-bag puppets and gingerbread houses. Ended up going with most of the adults to see "Quantum of Solace" (James Bond) tonight - until late. It was OK - definitely not your dad's Bond, though...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 2

Woke up pretty early, actually, and went over to Bonnie's room - it is big like the last time we stayed here (2001). There is a big yard in the back and a gas fire pit. About half of the people were in town already, but most were not in the mood to go out. Kathy joined us for the day and we went to the Petroglyph National Monument. It was really interesting - symbols made on the volcanic rock by Native Americans many years ago. The kids enjoyed the sunny weather - and the hike to the highest point in the park (over 5500 feet). Could see everything from the top of the hill - downtown ABQ, Sandia Mountains, old volcanos. Went to lunch at a nearby hot dog restaurant. Back at the Tamaya Resort, met up with everyone else. The place was hopping by 1800. Saw all the cousins and other friends - this time around 40 people were there at one time or another. Had burgers for dinner - Burke's. Having so much fun, fell asleep early...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 1

Had to work this morning, but computers went out early and ended up getting home around noon. Kids had time for a field trip at school this morning - that worked out great! We picked them up and left Fort Worth around 1400. The girls watched movies and tried to get the trains to blow their whistles (they did). Had dinner at the world's slowest Dairy Queen (Childress, TX - avoid it!). Back on the road as the sun was setting. Took US-287 all the way to Amarillo - it's four lane all the way now - and then on I-40 Played trivia games in the dark. Glad speed limit was 75 in New Mexico - it made the last few miles go faster... Arrived in ABQ around 2200 and got in a traffic jam at the I-40/I-25 merge. Finally made it to Hyatt Tamaya around 2300. Got into our room and went right to sleep...

Tacoma, WA (USA)

Had a good trip today - all over the country. Flying with my old buddy, Phil - haven't seen him in three years. First flew over from Fort Worth to Gulfport, MS. Weather was great and I met some other pilots during the stop - they took me on a tour of their airplane. On our way again - this time to Tacoma, WA. Weather was OK all the way into Utah - then we didn't see the ground again until we landed. Actually, the view of the Puget Sound was the best I have ever seen - saw the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (replaced the one that fell after the wind blew it over). Could see Seattle and all of the harbors nearby. Very windy... It was cool, but had my jacket. On our way again soon after - made it back to Fort Worth around 2000 (dark).