By Colin, on August 25th, 2009%
Sunday, August 23
 Through the Desert KSPI – KRVS – KBGD – KABQ
Part of the lost trip report.
 Lincoln Stood Here, But Taller Nell is great at finding us something interesting where we are. Bob and I flew in and out of Springfield, Illinois and, other than debating a visit to the Lincoln museum, saw nothing but the Outback Steakhouse. I know, typical American tourism. Terrible. But, fortunately, the boys and I have Nell. After breakfast we wandered outside, crossed one long parking lot and then we were traipsing about the capital of Illinois. Somehow there was a lot of information just on the plaques and various tour spot points. We learned how Illinois was (and still is) a farming state, that the revenue is really from the agriculture and animal husbandry across the state. We learned about the capital and it’s dome, which we peered up into. It was a little nippy, since it was early morning, but so clear and beautiful. Continue reading Springfield, Illinois to Albuquerque, New Mexico
By Colin, on August 25th, 2009%
Monday, August 24
 The last two legs KABQ – KDVT – KSMO
Part of the lost trip report.
The last day was easy flying. I think we all slept well, but I don’t know because I stumbled into dreamland, tripped over something, and came to eight hours later. The breakfast at the hotel was not horrific and we headed to the airport.
I really like Cutter in Albuquerque. It’s not the fanciest or most modern FBO we have been to, but the people are really good at their jobs and they don’t treat the little planes as second class citizens. We were tied down around the corner from the main ramp, fully fueled, and the tie down job was really secure. That’s important when you are in for a night of fast moving storms. Continue reading Albuquerque, New Mexico to Santa Monica, CA
By Colin, on August 24th, 2009%
Saturday, August 22 2009
 Westward ho! KMMU – KCAK – KCMI – KSPI
(Part of the lost trip report.)
MORRISTOWN
Our departure out of Morristown was our first return-to-field event as a family. (I had done this once with Art in the plane taking off out of Long Beach after service.) The truth is, I expected the plane to misbehave a little since it had been sitting for a week. Well, that and I always expect the engine to quit at any moment. That’s what I am planning for. Continue reading Morristown, NJ to Springfield, IL
By Colin, on August 15th, 2009%
Friday, August 13
 South to Civilization KTVC – KACB – KGKJ – KMMU
(Part of the lost trip report.)
After our incredibly, almost-theme-park-like stay in Traverse City, we needed to return to New York City, where Nell would meet us. We had a small cooler of salmon to drop off at TW’s, definitely worth driving to the airport for (plus, I had left my computer bag at his cabin and he offered to bring it up). I spent a lot of time in the FBO’s hangar with their roll of speed tape (aviation’s version of duct tape), sealing the two coolers so that they couldn’t possibly open. It still made me nervous to stow a couple containers of fishy ice water in the luggage compartment. Continue reading Traverse City, MI to Morristown, NJ
By Colin, on August 13th, 2009%
Wednesday, August 12
 Not Even Enough Time to Switch Tanks KACB – KTVC
Part of the lost trip report.
Continue reading Antrim County, MI to Traverse City, MI
By Colin, on August 12th, 2009%
Tuesday, August 11
 North of Canada... the United States? CNK4 – KANJ – KACB
Part of the lost trip report.
The time at the Lake was superb. Dexter got very into fishing and, even though he didn’t catch very much, it gave him motivation to see more of the shoreline, other little lakes nearby, and one of the creeks that feeds the Lake. As great as it was, my friend TW kept telling me that his place on Torch Lake would give any lake in Ontario a run for its money, so I started planning our next flight. Continue reading Parry Sound, ON to Antrim County, MI
By Colin, on August 5th, 2009%
Thursday, August 6
 Escaping to the North KLEB – CYTZ – CNK4
Part of the lost trip report.
The summer is all about the boys seeing some places other than home. The airplane is great for that. So far they have seen nearly every state (we’re missing Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Iowa, and a couple southern ones; I don’t think we’re going to ever have a reason to fly through North Dakota, so we might have to just call that one Canada and let it go). More importantly, they have seen a real variety of places, from college towns to Washington, D.C., the town of Marfa, Texas out in the middle of the high desert, and the non-town of Pontiac, Illinois set amongst infinite cornfields. Next winter vacation is meant to be a flight down to the Keys. I would like to stop in Marfa again on our way there. Continue reading Lebanon, NH to Parry Sound, ON
By Colin, on August 3rd, 2009%
Sunday, August 1
 East over the Lakes KMSN – KIAG – KLEB
Part of the lost trip report.
The thunderstorm line swept over us in the night and dissipated out over Lake Michigan. The breakfast at the hotel was surprisingly good (I have gotten used to trying to find anything edible in an “included” breakfast sort of buffet, not much effort was required that morning). Once we are packed up, the hotel shuttle van took us back to our FBO for departure. Along the way, Nell lamented that we didn’t get anything Wisconsin-specific during our stay and ventured that maybe the cheese is something to write home about. The van driver, a college-aged woman, say that it’s cheap, and that’s good, but that it’s nothing special, just fresh cheese. She then proceeded to give a running commentary about what the party scene was like around the university and how we are lucky to be there when school is not in session. Continue reading Madison, WI to Lebanon, NH
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