Salt Lake City, UT (USA)

Finally got another flight today... Got started early with great weather all the way to El Paso. First stop was Yuma, Arizona - didn't go well (passengers late), but we finally got on our way again. Our next leg, up to Salt Lake City, gave us a chance to fly over the Grand Canyon (excellent view - even better than our recent visit!). Weather in Utah was brisk with snow, although we missed the bulk of the precipitation. First time I've been in SLC since 1984... Mountains were very inviting - wish we could have stayed overnight! After a quick turn and a scenic departure over the Great Salt Lake, we were on our way home. Visibility improved over Oklahoma - in time for us to see the Red River and enjoy a panoramic view of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Probably the nicest flying weather I've seen in the area for a long time... Got home relatively early.

Muenster, TX (USA)

Today the family got to experience the annual Germanfest in Muenster. We learned about this when we were moving to Fort Worth (see AUG 2008) but we missed out last year. We left just after lunch and, after a 45 minute drive north on I-35, we took US-82 West to the little town. The population can't be more that a few thousand - and there were probably twice the number at the festival. We listened (and participated!) while several polka bands played the old favorites. We had root-beer floats, sausage and Texas Twisters (looked like garlands of potatoes). The kids were captivated by the band that played the Alp Horn, cowbells, a saw (using a violin bow) and xylophone - they didn't want to leave. But, soon it was time. Mollie insisted that we buys some strudel (peach, this time) and roasted pecans like we did at Oktoberfest (see SEP 2009). Afterwards (1700L), we drove out of town to the North and explored the fields just south of the Red River. Most of the farm roads (especially FM-1201) turned into gravel roads that end at ranch properties. We did see sheep, goats, cows (including longhorns) and llamas. Best image was when we saw a huge herd of cattle being driven back to the barn by a young boy riding a four-wheeler. Our trip dead-ended near the little village of Sivells Bend - it really was just a crossroads with a school for the local farm-kids. After looking around at nearby Moss Lake, we took FM-1201 back to I-35 and drove home. Later, I consulted a better map and realized that we had been within a football field's length of a good view of the river - too bad we couldn't get all the way there!

Kane'ohe, HI (USA)

Got up really early so I could check out of the MCBH Transient Quarters.  The main reason for this was because I needed to look for the rental car keys that Pat lost... I found them, fortunately, sitting on a desk at the office where we'd done our inspection.  After this (0800), I had just enough time to get gas and breakfast (to go) before racing (via the H3) back to Honolulu. Surprisingly, I caught up to the other cars in our group and was able to get them all turned in by 0815. Feeling good about rejoining the team, I was ready to relax,  However, we then started to get calls from Keith (and others) about how we needed to hurry to meet with the Agriculture inspector.  The latter was quite mad and made us pay with a lot of scrutiny... Eventually, we all made our way back to K-Bay and we took off at 0915. Good flight back to the Mainland - read and chatted all the way. I'd never gotten a flight all the way from Hawaii to Texas, but we were able to make it tonight. Arrived to rain in the DFW area. We landed at Meacham Field - Nicky picked me up. Kids liked the macadamia nuts and other souvenirs.  Even though I enjoyed Hawaii, I am glad to be finished with this trip...

Kane'ohe, HI (USA)

The morning routine was the same (breakfast, drive and paperwork). Eventually finished with our inspection (around 1130). Had lunch nearby (Papa John's) and then went back to my room, planning to drive out to explore. However, I got a lot of phone calls from one of our East Coast units and it used up most of the afternoon. Hobie had invited us to his house for a party, so Pat, Keith and I drove over there around 1730. He lives on the water - close enough to enjoy the view of passing Humpback whales during their migrations. Everyone from work was there - relaxed since the inspection was over... Visited with lots of people in an informal setting before we had to leave. Picked up supplies for our return flight - and learned that Pat had lost the keys to my rental car (now I remember that there was a warning on the key ring "$200 for a lost set of keys")... Packed and then went to be early.

Kane'ohe, HI (USA)

Up early, but started work a little later. Our whole team had breakfast at Boots & Kimo's - famous for their pancakes with macadamia sauce. It was good to relax with everyone before we had to be at the office. Once there, I took my time with the inspection since I heard we would be finishing on Friday. Had lunch at the Club (pasta bar!). Back to work afterwards - finished around 1400. Had time to check email and answer a few questions from people back home... Finished my write-ups around 1600... Met Keith later and we went to buy a new digital camera (for me). Also had time to get a haircut before we got a quick bite at Burger King. I spent the rest of the evening playing a video game in my room.

Kane'ohe, HI (USA)

Started at the same time this morning, but we shifted gears - a new unit for inspection. Didn't have to drive across the island this time... Got a lot of work done before lunch - I guess doing two of these at once makes you more efficient! Had lunch at a local Chinese restaurant and visited with old friends. Worked until 1600 and then headed back to my room. Pat had arrived in the afternoon and wanted to meet at the Club for dinner. It was Mongolian BBQ night - what a spread! I also got my first taste of Kona Longboard Lager... After dinner, I was going to go to bed but a group of the Chiefs convinced me to hang-out until late. It was a good time, but much more subdued than last year (see MAY 2009). Went to bed a little earlier than usual.

Honolulu, HI (USA)

Up at 0630L, met up with group for light breakfast (hotel has one, luckily) and then drove back to Honolulu. It is always interesting driving through the mountains - rainbows every time! Today we saw one that seemed to blanket the foothills and trees - it was almost like we were driving right inside it! Got an earlier start on our work today. Nearly finished by 1300. Interrupted by a welcome lunch, provided by our hosts (they have executive chefs working for them) - it was very good and included even more local and Asian fare. That's one of the good things about Hawaii - the mixture of culture (Mainland and Pacific Rim). Spent a short time shopping for souvenirs after lunch and then went back to finish the inspection. Everything was done around 1600 and we drove home through the rainbows again. Tonight, John had to finish his taxes, so Keith and I drove out to Kailua Beach to look for a good local restaurant. We found one, right near the beach: Buzz's Steakhouse. It was a great place - rather high end - within walking distance from a day at the beach. I had a great fish dinner (walloo on mashed potatoes). Starting to feel like we belong in this time-zone... Spent the rest of the night working on some stuff I brought from home.

Honolulu, HI (USA)

I did get some sleep on the plane, amazingly. You know, the kind where you realize you were asleep because you wake up... Arrived in Honolulu at 0400L but had to wait to get transportation (so I could pick up my Hertz rental car) for quite awhile.  Finally left for Kaneohe around 0530. No traffic on the H3, but it was very difficult to stay awake on the drive... Luckily, our room keys were ready at the MCBH Transient Quarters and I was able to get right (back) to sleep when we arrived at our hotel. Unfortunately, someone else got a bright idea that we could get right to work after a two hour nap... So, around 0915, we left K-Bay and headed back to Honolulu, where we kicked off the inspection at 1000. I actually got a lot done before 1230 and was able to get some lunch at Wright Brothers Cafe (right on Pearl Harbor). Enjoyed the warm breezy weather. Put in about two more hours after lunch and then went back to K-Bay. Really feeling tired by that point... At around 1730, our group went to dinner at Pinky's Pupu Bar. It was a good place - we were able to get a variety of appetizers with local and Asian flavors. Spent a few hours there, watching kayakers in the canal behind the restaurant. Back at my hotel room, got to sleep relatively quickly.

Vacaville, CA (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] We were supposed to leave early this morning, but aircraft problems (maintenance) delayed us until late in the evening. This made for a really late start and a screwed up body-clock! Left from Meacham Field and stopped in California for fuel. Weather was bad there - very windy, rainy and cold. Took off, bound for Hawaii, just before midnight.