Anacortes, WA (USA)

Woke up at 0500 (no problem with the time change) and did some work (email) before meeting the rest of the team for our drive to the hangar at NAS Whidbey Island. We actually took a really scenic route along a glass-water cove (no waves). We also had great views of the mountains to the south... Arrived at work around 0730 - long before the squadron we were supposed to inspect. Had a couple of meet & greet meetings before really getting going but, by working through lunch, then finished a majority of my inspection before 1500.  Then worked on our write-ups and started a series of de-briefs that kept us going until around 1800. Afterwards, I called a few friends of mine (who live in the area) to coordinate dinner in Anacortes. During the quick trip back to the Navy Lodge, I saw Mount Rainier in the distance - very clear and pretty views.  I changed clothes, drove up to Anacortes and met with several former co-workers (from Norfolk, Willow Grove and the local area) - they were already at the Brown Lantern. I enjoyed socializing with them until my friend, Jeff, showed up (around 1930L). Dinner was a spicy fish taco - washed down by some beer. It was good to see Jeff - he will be retiring this month. Spent several hours watching football and baseball (until after 2200L). Afterwards, drove back to Oak Harbor and got to bed at around 2330L.

Vancouver, BC (Canada)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] It wasn't my choice but my Boss told me we needed to get out to Whidbey Island this week. I always like to travel - especially anywhere in the Northwest - but I was still adjusting to the Central Time Zone.  This made things interesting... After driving to DFW Airport, I met with our mini-Inspection Team (only five people - including me - this time). Our Alaska Airlines flight departed Texas at around 1400. This was the first time I've ever flown with this carrier and the experience was better than what I've been seeing with American Airlines.  There was more leg room, they offered rental of a mini-TV for $6, the choices for food seemed better and prices seemed more fair. They even gave us bags of pretzels (that sure is a blast from the past...) and served drinks twice. They only odd thing was watching the amount of effort they made for us to sign up for a credit card...  We landed at Seattle-Tacoma at around 1500L (early) and I said goodbye to the rest of the team. The reason for this was that our travel office thought it was a great idea for us to wait an hour, change to another airplane, fly to Bellingham and then get a rental car. None of that made any sense to me and seemed like a lot of wasted time.  Plus, that city isn't even that much closer to Whidbey Island.  So, before departing on this trip, I'd cancelled the flight and got a rental car from Alamo at SEA-TAC (picked up at 1605).  My original intention was to get together with my cousin (Courtenay) for dinner, but that didn't work out. As a result (and since I didn't have to ride any busses to get my rental car), I was on the road by 1615. Traffic on I-5 was immediately a factor (I knew it would be), but I still made it to Mount Vernon by 1715 (still ahead of my teammates, who'd just boarded their Bellingham-bound flight back at SEA-TAC). The weather was so great during my drive, it occurred to me that today would be a good day to Vancouver!  With that decision made, I continued north.  There were mountains and tall trees all the way - nice scenery. Traffic really thinned out north of Bellingham and I "virtually waved" to my Navy buddies as I passed the airport. I arrived at the US-Canada border by around 1830 and the crossing was pretty easy. The sun was going down over Vancouver Island as I drove up BC-99 into the city - it was all very pretty. I didn't realize the amount of time it would take to get from the border to downtown... By the time I arrived, it was clear that not having a map would make it difficult to find anything. I drove around for about an hour - checking out neighborhoods and attempting to get a feel for the city that just hosted the Winter Olympics. Different highlights included: flashing green traffic lights, "tweeting" crosswalk signals, busy night clubs and quaint restaurant areas, tons of college-age kids walking and biking everywhere. Off in the distance - from nearly every vantage-point - I could see mountains with lighted ski runs. As it got dark, I realized that I might have trouble getting back easily, so I gave up and headed back to the border. Before crossing back into the US, I checked out the Peace Arch and shopped in the Duty Free Shop. Crossed back into the US around 2100. The drive back towards Whidbey Island was OK - especially after I discovered that my rental car had Satellite Radio... Got on WA-20 near Mount Vernon and had no problems (just some slower traffic) getting to Oak Harbor. Fortunately, I remembered where we stayed with our team last time we came for an inspection (see SEP 2008). Checked into my room at the Navy Lodge just before the front desk staff was going to close for the night (2230). Spent the rest of the evening getting ready for work - bed around 2330.  What a day!

Lajes, Acores (Portugal)

This was definitely a LOOOONG day. I really don't know how I stayed awake the whole time (although the daylight probably helped). In the first place, I was wide awake by 0400 (loud neighbors returning from all night in town - wonder if they were in our group?). Checked out of the Hotel Playa de la Luz along with most of our team (0700). Stood out in front of the hotel restaurant for awhile, waiting for it to open for breakfast. Had time to check out the beach as the sun was coming up... Buffet was good, in the German style (meats and breads). Pat showed up very late and blamed the drinks/dinner on others in the group before he ever suspected Keith and me. That was funny! We were on our way back to Naval Station Rota by around 0815L. Stopped for supplies at the Shopette and then boarded our aircraft (1000). Our first leg was to Portugal (Azores). We landed to good weather (surprisingly) and waited in the grass while the aircraft fueled. Airborne again soon after. Next leg was much longer and I ran out of things to read. Chatted with Joe and Pat and ate some food I brought. Still, it was a long time before we were on the ground in Camp Springs. By this point, I was getting numb - that tired feeling when you really want to curl into bed but can't. While waiting to depart Andrews AFB, I found out I was scheduled to leave (from Fort Worth) on another trip on the 29th! This was a little unexpected and sort of annoying, since I had told them I didn't need to go. But, after talking with some other folks in our team who also needed to travel then, I realized this was a good opportunity to make up for my lost flight time on this trip... It made the last flight go better - I was working on lists and plans for how I would be ready. We arrived in Fort Worth at 1600L. After I made sure everyone else was on their way, I took Pat back to his nearby home. His wife gave me a Fresca (I don't think I've had one of those since the 1980s...). Despite the length of time I've been awake, I made it home OK. Visited with the family for awhile and stayed up for as long as possible - got to trick that Circadian clock again....

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

Last day in Italy...  Got up at 0600, checked out of the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn and loaded my stuff into the van (still had the keys). Had breakfast at the Galley and started hearing a series of cryptic questions about my travel plans. It appears that Keith told everyone yesterday that I was staying in Sicily for another week. Fair enough - that was my plan about a week ago. However, with no plane to fly, I hadn't told anyone I was actually staying. Anyway, it led to another strange conversation with Keith after I got back to my room: could I bring the keys to the folks who were leaving. I told him I was going home and then it turned out that they were counting on my room in Spain tonight. Isn't it nice that you can fail to say "I'm making changes to the plan" and then someone can still get that ball rolling anyway... During the confusion, I managed to get several people's things over to the hangar and I helped unload the vans and cars. There was further uncertainty about where all the suitcases should go (hangar or terminal).  As a result of the mix-up, my bag got "misplaced" (it was actually turned out that it was in a van that got turned in to the rental car office). Fortunately, our G-IV crew was a little delayed in getting going, so we were able to sort out where everyone was and find all the bags before our departure. Whew!!! We were airborne around 1000. Flight to Spain was OK - I finished more crossword puzzles... Landed around 1400L - the weather was awesome (like San Diego). Sadly, a new round of confusion then began: how to get to our hotel?  After about an hour of waiting, taxis (from Radiotaxi Rota) finally showed up and we headed to Hotel Playa de la Luz. In nearly nine years of this gig, I have NEVER stayed on the beach before - what a treat! Our check in was pretty easy - people were very nice. After getting settled in my room, changed into a swim suit and headed out to the beach-side boardwalk in front of the hotel. Met Don and Joe and enjoyed some solitude in the sand and heavy surf (high tide). Drank some straight Cuban rum and then switched to Bacardi and Coke as the afternoon wore on. The rest of the gang walked by our beach perch around 1800.  They were actually headed for a re-up ceremony on the beach - that was cool to see. Don and I went over to a nice spot by the hotel pool and rested for the rest of the evening. It was a great location - everyone stopped by on their way to other places. I ended up eating a light dinner (chicken sandwich) there. Watched Pat and Keith miss each other a few times - eventually, Pat left for town in his rental car. As a result, Keith was stranded (temporarily). We took out our displeasure on Pat by charging our evening to his room. We'll see how long it takes for him to notice... It was 2130 by the time the evening was over. Others wanted to go out - to extend the night - but I was tired by this point. Headed back to my room to get some sleep - ended up watching TV in German, Italian and Spanish (no English at all)... Bed around 2245.  Enjoyed my rare Spanish respite - we're headed home tomorrow!

Sigonella, Sicilia (Italy)

Getting home so late last night wasn't nearly as bad as I expected - I actually got some sleep.  However, I am very glad I didn't have to go in to work early (other people told me how bad it was for them later). If it wasn't for Keith calling me every two hours (to let me know that people were going to Taormina), I would have got more sleep and felt even better. He finally let me know that everyone was finished with the inspection and that I didn't need to come in to the office.  After that, though, he mentioned that if I wasn't there at 1400 they would leave without me. [Turns out: I'm glad I didn't go - one group got lost for nearly four hours and the other didn't get home until 2330L]. Since I didn't want to go with them, I didn't answer any more calls for the rest of the morning & early afternoon... Another thought occurred to me: it has been nice not to be carrying a cell phone. Later in the day, I walked around for awhile - visiting with Whidbey friends and checking email. I picked up some supplies for our flight home and played some video games until around 1730L. Had dinner at the Galley and then snagged a rental car to drive to Auchan. Found some great things and even some stuff for Steve. On the way back to the hotel, I stopped at the hangar to get email work done. Spent a few hours there and ended up seeing Pat after he returned from his flight. It wasn't like I planned it, but I was lucky enough to be able to give the Boss a ride to the hotel - he was convinced I was there for his benefit (ha!)... In my room at the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn by around 2100L, I finished packing for our return trip tomorrow and then went to bed early.  What a strange trip to Sicily!

Motta Santa Anastasia, Sicilia (Italy)

The day started early (0730) to make up for the slow start yesterday. Jim wasn't around again, but I was able to complete my write-ups for two of my inspection areas. Pat, Andy, Keith and Gabe all headed to Naples for the day, leaving me as the only "supervision." In the meantime, I tried to coordinate a flight with my friends from Whidbey Island - but it turns out that the plane will be broken until the 28th... Oh well - another flying opportunity lost! When Jim finally arrived (0930L), we spent the next two hours on his section. Had lunch at a place I'd never visited, the Alghese (Italian ground services) cafeteria - it was located down the ramp. They had true fare that Italians eat - the meal turned out to be a nice treat. Yes, there was pasta, but it wasn't prepared the same way. Plus, they had other things (something like a cold stromboli" and great salad). Jim and I chatted for about an hour before we walked back to the hangar and got caught by rain on the way. Fortunately, made it back before I was totally soaked... Spent the next several hours finishing up the inspection. It was a good feeling to be done!  But then I had to wait until around 1700L to brief Pat and Keith (who had just landed from Naples) on our status. Fortunately, almost everyone was done and we were able to wrap up the inspection. Due to his flight, Keith still had some work for Thursday but the rest of us were "free". Had dinner with Terry (at the Galley) and then went back to my room to get ready for the evening. At first, we had planned to go out for dinner - but then a HUGE thunderstorm began. Keith called me several times asking me to meet him at Jox - but I didn't want to walk over in the downpour. Watched some TV and waited for a lull. It finally happened around 2200L - so I headed over (checked email at Take5 on the way). Ended up seeing most everyone (except Keith) and had a few rounds of beer. We spilled out into the street as the bar closed and some people scattered back to their rooms. A significant group remained, though, and they pressed me to go with them to a bar in Motta. Remembering my last experience with this same group (see MAY 2009), I was hesitant. Still, they reminded me that I wouldn't have to be at work early tomorrow and that sold me. Coordinating a taxi was a little difficult, but we finally all got to the bar. As with most European establishments, there don't seem to be any closing hours... The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of images - most were pretty funny. I managed to keep my wits - even while Black Russians and White Russians continued to appear in front of me. Fortunately, we had Ginny along - she acted as sort of a big sister to keep us from spending all our money or getting too wild. In the end, I guess she and I were the only ones able to comprehend the taxi driver's demands after he dropped us off. Fortunately, I had EURO - but it sure was expensive. I ended up with a coin from the Mess (nearly impossible to get) - they were glad I went with them. When I looked at the clock in my room at the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn, I was startled to find it was already after 0400L...

Catania, Sicilia (Italy)

This was probably the most restless night of sleep I've had in a long time. I must have been wide awake three different times - but I managed to get back to sleep each time. Circadian clocks aren't always cooperative... Had breakfast at the Galley and then walked over to the hangar (0730). Our inspection started soon after - but none of my "inspectees" were available. I managed to cobble together some work (one inspection element & stuff I brought from home). Skipped lunch when Jim showed up (landed from a flight). Around 1400L, Pat and Keith decided to head up to Caleca (kind of surprising, since it is pretty far away). It became obvious that I wouldn't accomplish much more, so I went back to my room at the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn. Attempted to access the Business Center but found they had really changed things (so bad, in fact, that DSL doesn't work at all). Gave up and went to the gym for about an hour. Afterwards, played some video games. Started to get calls from everyone around 1700L - "we'll be going to dinner at ___" (time kept moving to the right). Eventually, Jim and Joe were the only ones who showed up at the car for our drive into Catania - everyone else was scattered around the island. Fortunately, we all were able to meet most of them at the Medusa Pub around 2030L. Andy drove our 10 passenger rental van into the heart of Catania - something, I confess, I have never done (nor wanted to). Still, we found an area of town that was much higher end than I remember. Jim and his family/neighbors had been talking about the restaurant (Yoghi and Booboo) when I was here last month - but I didn't think I would end up going. It was very American - more like a steakhouse than anything I've ever seen in Sicily. We were treated very rudely by the staff (also unusual) and didn't even get our order in until 2200L. As a result, we were still eating by 2330... I had a pizza and it wasn't too bad (cost about three times as much as the Farmhouse, Paradiso, Donna Fortunata). We made it back to our hotel after midnight and I fell right to sleep.

Shannon (Ireland)

We landed in Ireland around 0830L. Even though I hardly slept, I felt strangely refreshed as we got out of the aircraft. During this visit, we were able to get through to the Duty Free Shop at Shannon quickly (no other passengers). I bought a few souvenirs and would probably had gotten more but our crew was in a hurry (don't blame them - it's a long day). On our way again by around 1000L. Flight down to Sicily didn't take too long - with time change, we got there at 1400L. From my previous experiences, I knew that the key to success was to get to the hotel (NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn) as quickly as possible to get the check-in process going. Fortunately, I was well ahead of the crowd and had already coordinated the rooms as they arrived - everyone else was also happy to get their rooms quickly. After the 16 of us were settled, I grabbed a quick shower and took our newest co-worker on a tour of the area. The walk culminated with a haircut (it's never been a bad experience to get a cut from an Italian barber). I also had time to pick up some supplies at the Shopette. Ate dinner at the Galley and then went back to my room to unpack. Tried to stay up late to get adjusted to the time-zone but only made it to 2100L...

Camp Springs, MD (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] Drove over to work around 1530 to meet our aircraft. We took off around 1700, headed towards the East Coast. I've never enjoyed the configuration of the G-IV (too crowded) and this time was no exception. However, I always enjoy reaching our destinations so it ends up being worth the lack of comfort... I'd brought several crossword puzzles with me to pass the time and it worked well. Our trip to Camp Springs was uneventful. One highlight was that we flew right over the NFL game between the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans (found out later "our" team won in overtime). Had over an hour of delay at Andrews AFB (getting fuel), but we took off around 2100L (new 0300L for Europe). Tried to sleep but really only dozed as we cross the ocean.  Airborne at midnight...

Waco, TX (USA)

Got a chance to fly again this evening. Trip was with Kirk and Steve. Sat in the back for the first part of the flight, including simulated engine failure (kind of unsettling) and touch and go at Waco TSTC. Flew for a few more hours around Texas (San Antonio, Houston) and then back to Fort Worth. Got a few approaches and a bunch of night time. Felt pretty jazzed afterwards - I really wish I could fly more often...

Denison, TX (USA)

We've had such beautiful weather lately, I decided to check out an area to the north of DFW that I've always wanted to see: Lake Texhoma. I had actually wanted to go camping there this weekend, but the kids weren't in the mood. So, I left home around 1100 and headed north on I-35W. Got off at Denton to explore the campus of the University of North Texas. It is big! Took my time getting back on the road, but ended up continuing north on the Interstate (LOTS of cops) to Gainesville. Used US-82 to drive east. Started to see lots of rolling hills... Took US-377 north towards the Red River and stumbled across some pretty homes (e.g., Texoma Bluffs). Also discovered the Sheppard Annex (had some pretty cabins...) - got out for a short walk. After some additional exploring along the river, got back on I-377 and drove across Lake Texoma into Oklahoma. It was pretty narrow at that point, but still very pretty. Lots of boats on the lake today. Switched to OK-70E south of Madill and then got on US-70 in Kingston. Found US-75 soon after that and then drove south towards Denison. Got some visitor information from a highway rest area just after getting into Texas. Decided to get off at the Denison Dam. Very pretty area - on the south side of Lake Texoma. Followed the signs to Eisenhower State Park. It turned out to be just what I'd been hoping for - a quiet, pleasant lakeside area for swimming, biking and camping. Spent about 45 minutes checking out the screened cabins, marina and hiking/biking trails. I'd really like to camp at the park with the girls! It was now about 1700L, so I decided to head back to Fort Worth. Used US-77 all the way to just outside McKinney. Saw Texas Instruments Corporate Headquarters... After that, took TX-121 (toll road) toward the DFW Airport. Very pretty drive - lots of nice homes and good infrastructure. Only had a little traffic - where TX-183 and I-820 met. Home around 1900L.