New Orleans, LA (USA)

Woke up early at my hotel (Crowne Plaza on Canal Street) - I'd hoped to sleep later because our departure was at 1300.  Oh well... Ate breakfast at a Krystal's I saw last night and explored on Canal Street. Not much happening, but got bothered by lots of people wanting me to buy things... Did a bit of reading before meeting up with the other guys around 1100.  We checked out of the hotel and then left the center of New Orleans.  We made one stop at Salvo's Restaurant - an old favorite from my NAS Meridian days - and I bought po-boys for Nicky.  After returning to Belle Chase, we got airborne on time and had a good flight (lots of cloud cover) back to Fort Worth. Landed before 1500 and went straight home. Unfortunately, I've got a cold coming on...

Manta (Ecuador)

Had a chance to visit Ecuador today - first time! Flew (with Greg S.) from Fort Worth to a place called Manta, a coastal city in the north of the country.  It was a six hour flight but we had good weather and saw lots of the Yucatan and Panama. Didn't get to stay on the ground too long, but I had time to scout out some opportunities for the next visit. The difficult thing about Ecuador is that they don't have a good radar for flight following - this means you are mostly on your own! Still, made it out of there OK before the sun set. The return flight was pretty dull (clouds had rolled in) except for the beautiful night view of Cancun and Cozumel.  We arrived in New Orleans (Belle Chase) at around 2130L. Had some trouble getting the aircraft "put to bed" but eventually drove to our hotel, the Crowne Plaza located on Canal Street (in the French Quarter). It has been nearly 10 years since the last time I was here - and even longer since I walked down Bourbon Street. It has really changed and not for the better, unfortunately. I walked most of the street and only recognized a few places from the mid-1990s - I guess the rest closed up... Still found a place that made a good Hurricane... Went to bed relatively early - exhausted.

Grapevine, TX (USA)

Nicky had some things to do today, so the girls and I went exploring around Fort Worth. We started the afternoon off with a visit to Cabela's - one of the most interesting stores around here. The kids always like seeing the life-size animals and playing in the shooting gallery. We then drove over to Grapevine, where a co-worker told me there was a really interesting hotel called the Gaylord Texan. He was right - it was a great visit. Inside the hotel, there is lots of interactive scenery that reminds you of the Texas countryside: canyons, a Spanish mission, oil rig and ranch windmill. To top it all off, Santa was there with live reindeer and there was a gingerbread house and huge train display. We had fun walking around, but it was very crowded. I guess that was mostly due to the National Championship Cheerleading competition that was being held in the hotel... We watched some of that - the kids enjoyed that part - and then checked out some of the other things to do: fancy, dress-up dinners and world-renowned ice sculptures. We didn't have time to wait in the huge line to see everything - we'll have to go back! Later, we drove by the Great Wolf Lodge (it was across the street) and saw that they have an outdoor waterpark in addition to the indoor one - we'll definitely have to go back (see DEC 2007)... Topped the day off with dinner at Pulidos #1 (Mexican Restaurant - see JUL 2008) - everyone enjoyed themselves. What a fun day!!

Willow Grove, PA (USA)

After a restful sleep at the Delta St. John's Hotel and Conference Centre, I met up with the crew for an early start this morning.  When we reached Torbay (Esso Woodward Aviation), we were glad that we had put the plane in the hangar last night (temps were below freezing with ice all over the ramp). After a lot of logistics to get the aircraft ready, we departed for Willow Grove, PA. Along the way, we got some awesome views of Nova Scotia and could see all of Cape Cod and the Boston Area. It was a beautiful day for flying! Ended up getting descended really early (before coastline of New Jersey) but this allowed us to fly very close to Lakehurst - we saw the blimp hangar!. Also saw the Philly skyline - cool. Passed a formation of A-10s - were they going to the Army-Navy game? On the ground at Willow Grove for a short time and, in the meantime, I surrendered the flight controls to the other guys.  This meant I was in the back for the last flight. No matter - I read and rested.  We arrived in Fort Worth with great weather at around 1630. Nicky was waiting to pick me up, but I had to help the guys get airborne again (they were having problems with air traffic control). Eventually made it home to see the kids - whew!

St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

Day started early - it was time to go home.  After checking out of the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn, I headed to the flight line.  Despite being early, we didn't get going for several more hours. I got to fly with some guys I met a few months ago - lucky me! Trip over to Rota was great - views of Etna (snow), Ibiza and lots of Spanish Coast (Valencia). After a quick stop, on our way to the Azores. Landed in the late afternoon - not too windy, but we had JUST missed a huge thunderstorm (wet runway...). Got airborne again after a short delay - started to get dark soon after. Not too many problems during the flight to St. John's, Newfoundland.  It was supposed to be a fuel stop but we had to quit for the day when we arrived because the crew had reached crew rest limits.  After several more hours of moving the plane around and arranging transportation & lodging, I finally made it to my room at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre. It has been so long since I got to spend the night here and I always enjoy it! The weather was cold, rainy and windy - around freezing - but Keith and I walked around to see what had changed (nothing had...). Wanted to eat at my favorite "Press and Bean" restaurant, but there was a 1.5 hour wait for a table - ended up eating at a nearby Irish Pub. Back at the room around 2200 (very tired with time zone changes) - fell right to sleep...

Caltagirone, Sicily (Italy)

At work early again - although I was mostly done with my job yesterday... Had time to meet up with another guy who works with me ("virtually") - we had a good talk and will be able to keep in touch in the future. Did a little shopping before meeting up with Steve and Keith around 1300. Did some more shopping with the help of a wine expert named Pippo. Took the car over towards Caltagirone - with a detour towards Piazza Armerina. Took a VERY hilly road to drive up there - but had trouble finding the mosaics... Got to the Villa de Casale about 10 minutes after it closed (too bad...). Took a better road back towards Caltagirone - parked near the ceramic stairs. Steve had never been there - and the timing was good (Christmas festivities). Saw tons of kids who ran up the (approximately) 141 steps. Did some shopping and went in to see a huge Nativity Scene ("the largest in Italy"). Left for Sigonella around 1830. Decided to have dinner at "Il Caviliere" (AKA "the Ass Master" / "Farmhouse") - always good. Great way to finish the trip! Back at the Navy Gateway Inn by around 2130. Did lots of laundry and got packed - bed very late...

Motta Santa Anastasia, Sicily (Italy)

Worked all morning again - and visited some other friends of mine nearby. After lunch, did a few more hours of work and had some meetings. By 1600, went over to the sports bar and watched a movie ("I Am Legend"). Ended up leaving with Steve and Keith for Motta around 1900. Tried out a new place called Donna Fortunata - where we met Grant. Kids were having a birthday party in the next room (loud!). Dinner was great (had a calzone)... Later walked down the street to a place Keith recommended, Bar Centrale - where Carmelo the Baker gave us free samples and the other guys got canolies. Got some great cookies for the kids! Back to the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn by around 2100, decided to go to bed early.

Taormina, Sicily (Italy)

At work around 0730 - after a good breakfast... Spent all morning and part of the afternoon working - got a lot done. Around 1530, drove up to Taormina so Steve could do some shopping - he wanted to pick up a certain bottle of wine. Couldn't find it, but we had a nice dinner at a place called "Ulisse" in town. Sat inside - it is getting chilly. Had wine, eggplant, pasta, salad and pizza. Shoppers were out in force and the town was getting decorated for Christmas. Drive back was tough - really feeling effects of less sleep than normal... Had enough time to try to call Nicky - she wasn't there, though. Back in my room at the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn by 2200, I had time to do some work on the computer before turning in for the night.

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Arrived in Sicily by around 0200L - exhausted.  We went to check in at the NAS Sigonella Bachelor Housing (Navy Gateway Inn) and I finally was in my room by 0300. Tired...  My internal clock is all messed up. Watched some TV and fell asleep around 0400. Awoke to hammering outside my door - still got enough sleep to operate OK... Had to go over for work around 1300 - saw some old friends. Around 1400, drove over to the Days Inn Pub for drinks and late lunch (dinner). Spent several hours there and saw even more old friends. Eventually went to a nearby grocery store to do a little shopping. On the way back to our hotel, we saw an amazing sight in the sky: the crescent moon with Venus and Jupiter close-by. Read about it on the internet later - it was a rare conjunction. Met some friends later for drinks at the sports bar. They had wireless and we stayed there drinking German beer until around midnight. Very enjoyable evening - it is great to be back in Sicily!