Washington, DC (USA)

Up at 0645L - Starbucks breakfast. Worked from 0800L to 1430L and skipped lunch. As a result, completed write-ups early (1500L). Since there would be no "debrief" today, I wanted to get into DC to enjoy the free time and nice weather. However, Mike and Raul didn't want to leave early... This time, though, Sean borrowed a car and we drove into the City. We found a parking meter near the National Archives and we got a snack (caprese sandwich) at Au Bon Pain. Edned up walking around for about two hours. We tried to take FBI tour but learned it has been discontinued until after 9/11/2011. Visited Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, National Gallery and some pretty parks off the Mall. Weather was excellent and there were lots of people everywhere. Got back to the car just as the meter was expiring and drove out of town (towards Georgetown). Sean indicated he wouldn't mind driving down to Mount Vernon to see the improved museum. As we headed in that direction, Mike and Raul called us - they were right where we had just been a few minutes before. Decided not to go back to meet up with them [good thing, too - they spent nearly eight hours walking!]. Arrived at Mount Vernon just as they closed for the day (1700L). Too bad... Still, managed to get some quality walking in the pleasant weather and then bought souvenirs at the gift shop. Since I've been borrowing cars all week, I couldn't count on where/when people would need to be. It's been fine for me, but it meant that I couldn't get together with Pat and Mike in Rockville after all. Called them to let them know - hope we can get together again soon. Took the George Washington Parkway back to Old Town for dinner. Used the car's "back-up" camera for a precision parallel parking job! Had some beers and a great dinner (Irish Breakfast) at Murphy's Irish Pub. Walked around a bit after that. Started to get texts from Raul that he was tired from walking in DC and wanted to meet up with us. By this point, however, both Sean and I were ready to call it a night. On the way back to the hotel, we ended up sitting on I-495 when the drawbridge opened... In my room around 2130L. Bed early again...

Lexington Park, MD (USA)

Big day today: first interview! Found out this morning that Mike and John wanted to go over to [five sided] and would need the car. Fortunately, Ron didn't need his car and let me borrow it. I headed out of town on some side roads until I found (at Eddie's suggestion) MD-4. It was a very scenic drive all the way down to Lexington Park. There were several nice towns in Calvert County - wanted to stop but didn't have time. Bridge over Patuxent River was a little disconcerting (barely a guard rail and only two lanes). Found the office where I would interview (off MD-235) and then drove over to the Wildewood neighborhood. It looked like a nice place to visit... Drove back for interview at 1015L - Drew ended up being late and then only had a short time to visit. Done around 1200L and got lunch at Sbarro. Moved up my visit with Mike and Jim to 1230L. I've talked to those folks at the PMA many times but never knew what the building looked like... Mike took me on a tour of the facility - very interesting! Some good things to think about if my next job ends up being at Pax... Running short on time - drove out of town around 1445L and hurried back to Camp Springs. Took MD-4 back again and made it to the hangar just as everyone was coming out (great timing!!!). Drove everyone back to the hotel and then realized I wouldn't have a car to meet up with Tim. Hitched a ride to the gate and ended up waiting about two hours there (complete with a visit from security). Tim got me around 1930L (dogs to vet, baby in bad mood, etc. - I've been there...) and we drove over to National Harbor for dinner. He had a place picked out, Hannigan's Irish Pub. It was a great choice! We enjoyed some beer, appetizers and I had a great Rueben. Before we knew it, the clock said it was 2200L. Back to my room - watched TV until around midnight, then bed.

Alexandria, VA (USA)

Wanted an early start today, so woke up at 0630L. Raul and I ended up getting a head start on the next unit's inspection (the rest of crowd was moving like tree sap...). Made good progress in the first few hours but had to go back to the previous unit for their debrief. Of course, it ran long... Finally got back to "second" unit for their "kick-off" and found I was "in charge" (introduced the group before Boss arrived). Everything turned out OK and the rest of our Team was happy not to be delayed further... After making sure Raul was doing alright with his first inspection, I used the free time to call the company in Patuxent River I've been talking to about conducting an interview (tomorrow). Also visited Cori and friends next door (missed Bobby again!). Met up with an old friend, Eddie, and picked his brain about Patuxent River. Met up with Raul and Dave for lunch at Jiffy's (can't get enough good gyros!). Helped Raul after lunch and made sure he was still on track for finishing on time. At our regular debrief, Mike not ready to depart (again!), so I drove back with Randy (again) and then began looking for transportation. Managed to find a car (had to go with them to the exchange first to be able to get it). Later, found Raul and we drove over to Alexandria for dinner (did I mention this was his first trip to the DC area?). We found a convenient parking lot and then walked over to King Street to explore - lots of good choices and atmosphere. Dinner at Las Tapas (Spanish cuisine - with flamenco dancers!). After a good meal, we walked around some more and got hitched up (for a short time) with an Old Town tour guide - he was telling kids about the history of the row houses... Found our car and then I drove Raul into DC to see the city by night - everything was lit up nicely and he was impressed. It turned out to be difficult to get out of the city (traffic and construction). Actually had to use our GPS, but it took us down Pennsylvania Avenue and MD-4 - kind of scary, actually... Of course, we made it home in one piece (2230L). Decided to go to bed early for a change...

Clinton, MD (USA)

Woke up at 0645 again and started inspection around 0745 (drill and follow-up). Made great progress - enough to have a leisurely lunch at Jiffy's (they have great gyros!!!). Back to work after the meal and actually finished everything (hoping for debrief, but other people didn't end up being ready in time...). At 1600L, started to get the idea that Mike would be late again, so I sent back to the hotel with Randy. After the last few experiences waiting on Mike, decided not to wait to get dinner (Raul was going out with friends) and borrowed Randy's car. Just as I was leaving the hotel the weather began to degrade rapidly (huge rainstorm with wind and lightning. Made it to MD-5 (and into the clear weather) and found a little Chinese take-out place called "Number 1 China." They made great noodles! While I was eating, all the Chinese cooks and servers ran out into the parking lot and were pointing frantically at the sky and speaking in excited Chinese. I went outside and saw the beginning (or remains) of a funnel cloud. Raul started texting me and asking if I was OK - I assumed he meant the weather, but then he mentioned sirens were going off all over town (I hadn't heard them). Finished my meal and waited for the ominous weather to clear. Around 2030, went back to the hotel (after stopping at the exchange) and found everyone in the lobby - the power was out. Apparently, I missed the storm by just a few minutes (again! - see DEC 2000). There was talk of a tornado... I was able to get in touch with my cousin, Tim (we'll get together later in the week). Back in the lobby, people were bored - and more had arrived for our next inspection - so I went out with Ginny to get beer. We drove around for a while and tried a few convenience stores and grocery stores before we figured out that you can't buy any kind of alcohol in this area without visiting an actual liquor store. We eventually found Allentown Liquors and headed back to our hotel. Our arrival improved the mood - and we all went outside to wait for power to return (it finally did at 2300). It turned out to be a good evening, even with the weather, since it forced a social event (just like the old days!). I'll miss this kind of day...

Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

Got up at 0645 - ready to go by 0730. Drove over to hangar for inspection soon after. I spent the morning teaching Raul the ropes (made good progress before noon). Ate lunch with everyone at Papi's Chicken in Clinton (had the "1/2 chicken" - pretty tasty). Made it back to work around 1300L and pressed on until 1545L (debrief moved up earlier because unit wanted us to attend a "Subway mixer"). Visited for a while and then Raul and I waited for Mike in the parking lot until nearly 1730L (aaghhh!). Finally back at room and ready to go eat - but we ended up with another late dinner departure (Mike). He actually said he didn't want to go out and that we could use the car - but then he changed his mind and came with Raul and me. This time, I maanaged to convince everyone to go to National Harbor. I've driven by the place countless times and always wondered how it was. We explored the area and found some good things (restaurants, bars, shopping, ferry landing, etc.). Mike spent most of the evening on his BlackBerry and made it hard to pick a restaurant. Eventually sat outside at the Public House. Unfortunately, they had really bad service (we actually almost left). Ended up getting a uncooked burger, too (not sure what the deal was with the place, but it was probably the worst meal I've had on a trip in recent memory). Headed back to hotel by 2300 - TV and work email before bed.

Clinton, MD (USA)

Last CFLSW Inspection trip! We had a flight from Fort Worth to Camp Springs (via Dayton, OH) today and I got to fly a little bit. Arrived at around 1330L and got our cars (took some extra time, since we landed on the "wrong" side). Eventually went over to the unit for the "kickoff" meeting. After visiting for a bit, we all drove over to the Presidential Inn (Air Force Inns) - fortunately, we found out that others had already registered us. Delayed for dinner (Mike) - finally left at around 2000 (!). I wanted to go over to the National Harbor - but he didn't. Instead, we drove over to Clinton and checked out a few places before settling on Mama Stella's (pretty good Italian food - ended up being "Italian service"). Made it back to the room around 2230. Spent the rest of the night unpacking...

Decatur, TX (USA)

[Wise County Offices - petrified wood gas station]

Alliance, TX (USA)

The first night NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held at the Texas Motor Speedway tonight. As I was watching the race on TV, it occurred to me that I'd never been near the track during a race. Mollie and I drove up to Alliance and we drove around in the area near the speedway. The whole area was packed with cars but all (nearly) 150,000 fans were in the stands. We were able to get within about 200 meters and I could hear the sounds of the cars (a little faint with the 45 MPH wind). Drove around a bit nearby - very festive RVs and lots of pickup trucks... On the way home, we stopped at Cabella's for a stroll through the aquarium and the animal displays.

Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

[CFLSW Inspection Trip] Today was a big day, since I began it with 4997 hours of flight time and ended it with over 5000! It took a long time to make it to that milestone, but I'm glad I did... After checking out of the NAS Oceana CBH, I ate breakfast at the Golf Club.  It then took a few hours for Pete and John to finish their review of our inspection results. The crew flying us home got impatient when our departure was delayed but we eventually got going before noon. Weather was OK and I was in the cockpit again after a long layoff. Our flight from Hampton Roads to Texas went very well.  I'll miss the flying after my Navy career is over (if it comes to that). In Fort Worth (1400L), we found balmy weather - I didn't miss this...  After thanking the crew of letting me fly the leg, I took care of a few items at the office before departing NAS JRB Fort Worth (Carswell).  Glad to be home!