Dallas, TX (USA)

Today was the last day I had with Carolyn because of work. We decided to check out Dallas a little. Because we got a late start, however, plans changed. First, we went over to Louis Toussaud's Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not. It turned out to be a great deal - we saw both places and got to try a mirror maze. Everyone enjoyed the wax museum - famous faces and lots of photo opportunities. The mirror maze was the highlight of the day, though - we did it a few times (kids didn't want to leave). Afterwards, we had lunch at Burger King. Because of a previously scheduled party the girls had, we only had enough time to drive through Dallas - at least we got to see Dealey Plaza from the car... We also took Carolyn over to TCU to show her that nice area (homes). After the twins went to their party, I had to drive over to meet a guy from work. Carolyn and Mollie came too - and after I was finished we took the long way home via Cabela's. We fed fish, walked through the animal display and tried the shooting gallery. This was the first time Carolyn had ever tried anything like that, so she ended up having a competition with Mollie... We picked up fudge and roasted cashews and then drove over to see the Bison in a nearby field.

Whitney, TX (USA)

Tried to get an early start, but kids dragging... Eventually (0930), we got on our way to show Carolyn a little of the scenery. Drove down on I-35W to TX-174 and then US-67 to Glen Rose. Found Dinosaur Valley State Park and explored the dinosaur tracks (cool!). Also found a few places where we could swim in the creek around the park - very crowded. During one of our little hikes to find good tracks, Mollie fell in the creek (slippery rocks) and Brenna lost a flip flop... Cool stream water very enticing... Had lunch at Sonic and then drove down TX-144 to TX-22 and found Lake Whitney again (see NOV 2009). Thought we would be swimming at the State Park but found out that best place was actually at the Army Corps of Engineers sites near the dam. Spent several hours enjoying the cool water. Everyone really happy after a dip - refuge from the 35-40 C heat... Later checked out some other sites along the lake - including the State Park (our annual Texas State Parks Pass comes in handy). Kids swam a little while longer. Finally left for home around 1700 and took TX-22 to TX-81 to I-35W - home at 1815.

Alliance, TX (USA)

Very hot this morning!!! Got a late start, but made it to the Stockyards by 1100. Carolyn had never been to Texas, so the big longhorn cattle walking down mainstreet was a real treat for her (it always is for the kids, too). Spent about an hour and a half in the area (petting zoo, shopping) and then walked back to our car. Saw a great BBQ restaurant (Coopers) and went in for that experience. They cut off the slabs of meat and throw them on a tray. You pick up the rest of the fixin's after that. Carolyn thought it was funny... Food was good (kids ate everything!). It was so hot (nearly 40C), almost called it a day. Decided to stop at the Texas Motor Speedway and ended up taking a tour of the property. Got to drive on the race track (in a van) at 75 mph(+), visit victory lane and the pits. Even got to sit inside one of the sponsor suites (nice!). Had planned to go to Cabela's, but ended up heading back to the house instead. Everyone very HOT!

Fort Worth, TX (USA)

[gave Carolyn a tour of Fort Worth (lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings) - later got together with all the kids - fun at "Putt-Putt Golf and Games" (south of I-30)]

Grapevine, TX (USA)

[date uncertain - picked up Carolyn at DFW Airport]

Philadelphia, PA (USA)

Got up around 0530 and finished packing. Left the Navy Lodge (Willow Grove) at around 0615 and drove back to the airport - stopped for gas (Broomall, PA) on the way (0705). Traffic was OK, but the construction made everyone slow way down near the I-76 merge with I-476. After returning my rental car at the Enterprise office (0730), I navigated to shuttle system (it went better this time) and got through security with no problems.  This allowed me time to pick up some good souvenirs. Spent the next hour or so at the USO until a short time before my American Airlines flight was scheduled to board. Discovered I got one of those great seats with no place to put my carry-on under the seat in front of me - and I was in the waaaay back. Still, we took off on time (0910) and made it into the DFW area relatively quickly. It appeared we were holding over old NAS Dallas... Entertained myself all the way with crossword puzzles I saved through the trip. Landed on time (1155) but it took so long to get off the aircraft that my bag was waiting for me (unusual). Found my car in the DFW long term lot, exited at 1230 and made it home by around 1300.  Productive trip!

Bedford, MA (USA)

Tried to sleep in, but it was hard after getting up early the last few days... Ate some food in the room and caught up on some paperwork I brought with me. Went out to eat lunch at Lee's Hoagies (had another buffalo chicken cheesesteak!). Watched a little TV and then headed over to work. Flying with Matt again. We were able to take off early and made it up to Bedford (Hanscom) pretty quickly. Our lift was there on time and we took off without delay. Dropped them off in Camp Springs - much quieter there this time. Back at the Willow Grove Navy Lodge by around 2030L. Spent the evening packing and watching "Stranger Than Fiction".  Went to bed late.  It's been a great trip!

Boston, MA (USA)

Had an early brief, so I got up at 0600L. Matt had everything ready to go early but our plane ended up having lots of maintenance problems. Eventually got going (about an hour late) and made our way to Camp Springs. It was clear as we departed the Philadelphia area that the weather up the East Coast would be a big factor all day. Met our lift when we landed, so we took off for Boston. I haven't flown into Logan Airport in nearly 20 years - and this was my first flight there in the front. Weather was really bad - we had to hold for about half an hour near a thunderstorm (controllers very helpful). On approach, we broke out close to minimums and found lots of rain (cold & windy, too). FBO very accommodating and we made it out of there nearly back on our planned schedule. Flight back to Willow Grove took us out over the ocean and then down low over the Jersey Shore (very bumpy). Highest winds I've ever seen there! Even though it was only about 1400L when we landed, I spent the rest of the day indoors. The news kept talking about wind advisories and severe weather coming to the area (temperatures definitely much lower!). Ate leftovers in my room at the Willow Grove Navy Lodge and watched some TV.

Baltimore, MD (USA)

Woke up around 0630L - packed to leave. Had to wait a bit at the checkout counter of the Andrews Gateway Inn (Air Force Inns), but made it over to work around 0745L. Finished up the inspection around 1000L, leaving me time to go over to visit the rest of the folks who work nearby (as promised). Because it was a Friday, most were leaving the office around the time I made it there. Still, managed to get some good face-time with lots of people I know. Gassed up and left town around 1130L. Made good time to Baltimore, and I started to think about how good it would be to have a corned beef sandwich from Attman's Deli (see APR 2007). Made it there OK but found there was no parking available in the usual place. Took a gamble and parked in an apartment lot - ran across the street and got my order in quick. Thought everything would work out but someone in front of me had ordered 20 sandwiches - this really held me up. Luckily (depending on your point of view), I happened to look outside just as a tow truck driver was hooking up my car to take it away. I ran over and stopped him, but I ended up having to pay a hefty bribe to get my car out of his clutches. Because he drove me away from the area to unhook my car again, I never did get my sandwich... Drive back to Willow Grove was easy, compared to yesterday. Arrived back at my hotel (Navy Lodge Willow Grove) around 1600L. Picked up a light dinner at a nearby store and spent the evening catching up on work emails. Bed around 2300L.

Alexandria, VA (USA)

Got up at 0500L this morning - attempting to beat all the traffic during my drive to Camp Springs. I was able to check out of Navy Lodge Willow Grove but then encountered my first challenge of the day: I couldn't get out to the main road because the gate was closed! Eventually, I found someone who helped me find the way. On the PA Turnpike by 0600L - but then I took the wrong exit off the toll road. Fortunately, there was another one a few miles up, meaning I only had to double back a little bit. Finally on I-95 - found that toll prices have really gone up! No problems at all until about 20 miles out of Baltimore (big accident on the other side of the interstate). With construction, it took a long time to drive the roughly 45 miles down to the DC Beltway. Arrived at Camp Springs around 0900L - met up with Dave to begin the inspection. Spent several hours straight - made good progress - before lunch. Ate at Papi's Chicken (gyros - mmm). Spent the rest of the afternoon at work - almost finished by 1530L. Visited a friend down the ramp - used up a lot of time there. Finally went looking for a room at the Andrews Gateway Inn (Air Force Inns) at 1700L. Fortunately, I found one - it was very fancy - but had to locate the room without a good map. After finally getting settled inside, I called my friend, Bob, to see if he could get together.  Lucky break - it worked out and I drove over to Alexandria to meet him. We watched the Pittsburgh versus Montreal hockey game at Bungalow Billiards (a sports bar near his house). Visited until around 2300L. After that, I drove back to my hotel and got to sleep after midnight.

Omaha, NE (USA)

Up early (0600L) for my first flight of the trip. Met Chuck and finished up the planning. Was able to pick up Subway breakfast and lunch. Flight down to Camp Springs in good weather - turn OK (unexpected cargo complications). Trip today took us to Omaha. Windy out there! Saw lots of good scenery on the way - that is always one of the reasons I like to fly. Turn was good and we headed back to Camp Springs to drop off the gear we had. Flew back to Willow Grove in the late afternoon. Wrapped things up at work and then drove over to the Hong Kong International (Chinese food) restaurant for a good buffet dinner. Back in my room at the Navy Lodge, packed everything up so I could leave really early the next day. Watched a little TV - bed early.

Willow Grove, PA (USA)

Up at 0700 and over to work by 0800. Met some old friends - discussed business for several hours before lunch. Actually got a lot done. Had lunch with guys from work - at Brick House Tavern. Food was good - service was even better (see NOV 2008). Spent the afternoon doing flight planning and catching up on other work. Wrapped things up at 1600. Dinner was at Chick-Fil-A - not a place I can normally frequent, but good eating. At the Navy Lodge, watched movies all evening and went to bed early.

Philadelphia, PA (USA)

[Training Trip (flight time)] Left the house around 0830 so I could pick up Kathy and Bonnie - they were traveling home today while I was leaving for Philadelphia. Got them at the hotel and had no problems (just a little traffic) during the drive over to the airport. Dropped them off at the terminal and then parked in the long-term lot. Was able to meet up with Bonnie again and she took me (as her guest) to the Admiral's Club. I'd never been in a place like that! It looks like a hotel inside and there are people who come by to offer you drinks (etc.), just like on the airplane. Spent several hours there - even after Bonnie left - because my flight wasn't until 1405. We got on the plane on time (after some real fussing by the American Airlines gate staff). Once onboard, we got the normal lecture about carry-ons (when they started to charge for checked bags, boarding became a nightmare). Nobody was happy - and they let the flight attendants know it. We then had to sit on the ramp for about 30 minutes (ramp freeze ?). After takeoff, our pilot interrupted everyone's sleep nearly every 20 minutes to tell us about landmarks or explain that we were going to have to hold (twice) for weather. After we landed (1825L), everyone elbowed their way off the plane (sometimes I feel like passengers are cattle - with manners to boot). I was worn out from the experience, so I immediately went to the USO and had a light dinner. Ended up having to pick up my bag from the claim office - and I also hit a lull in Enterprise rental car shuttles (and nobody would answer their phone). After nearly 30 minutes, I finally got a ride - subsequent stops filled the bus to capacity with angry customers. Eventually (1905), I made it through Enterprise rental car office - by then, the traffic on the interstate was all gone, which made the ride to Willow Grove quicker than normal. Ran into one snag: no tickets at the PA Turnpike toll booth. Waited awhile and then got everyone behind me to back up so I could pick another lane. Glad to be in my room at the "usual" hotel (Navy Lodge Willow Grove). Took it easy tonight...

Grapevine, TX (USA)

We were very blessed today to have a visit from Bonnie and Kathy. The big event was Mollie's First Communion... I picked them up at DFW around 1300L and we drove over to the Gaylord Texan, where we had planned a late lunch/early dinner. Bonnie was impressed by the flowers and the impressive layout of the place. We met Nicky and the girls at the Riverwalk Cafe and had a delicious buffet-style meal in a setting much like the one in San Antonio. After the meal we walked around to see more of the property. With the enclosed environment, we were spared heat and wind - very relaxing. Next, we drove over to the Southlake Town Center mall to show Bonnie the shopping in our area. That place has been one of our favorites since I found the DMV there just over a year ago. Nicky and the girls, along with Bonnie and Kathy, found lots of stores that they liked. Before we knew it, it was 1730L... I drove Kathy over to her hotel to make sure everything was in order and then we met everyone else back at our house. Spent the rest of the evening relaxing with wine and hors d'ouvres. Suddenly realized it was 2200L! Took Bonnie and Kathy to their hotel - tomorrow is the big day for Mollie!