twin comanche flying with my men

Zack and I made a little hop to LHZ for gas a couple of days after he came home. We visited with his/dad's mechanic friends and just relaxed for a bit. 

One of my favorite things about flying is that it takes my mind off of everything else. Flying an airplane uses up about 99% of my concentration, so I can't think about the wedding/moving/work etc. one bit. I used to love it because it took my mind off of boys. Then I fell in love with my flight instructor. Ha! 

Dad did some instrument practice at CTZ and EYF. We were going to have lunch in Elizabethtown, but the car was gone. 

That time I realized I'm marrying my dad . . . 

I outfitted him in Randolph Engineering sunglasses and Collared Greens croakies and shirt. 

We went to LBT for lunch instead and got a tour of my dad's old stomping grounds. 

Remember that time I wore chino shorts every day? That time is also now. 

Usually with my dad and Zack, I have to sit in the back, but this time they let me fly! 

He even let me use his fancy headset! That one little leg wore me out. These guys are so much better at flying than I am. 

I had a great time escaping it all and getting up in the air! I'm hoping we have more time to do this after the wedding! 

thankful Thursday: flying

I got to fly again! 

Zack and I went flying together for the first time since our engagement! It's been way too long. 

Then we went flying with dad. 

I'm so thankful that I get to fly airplanes! And I have wonderful people in my life who teach me so much about them. 

J. Crew chino shorts: bringing back the fanny pack

I spent a whole week in chino shorts. This is real.  

I told my dad that Dan's manners instructor said I needed to bring a fanny pack or tool apron to put his treats in and NOT to keep them in a purse or my pocket. So Dad hooked me up with this fanny pack he had in his closet. I mean, I have a long fanny pack tail and all. That's hand me down style. 

During the making of these photos, Dan sat for a whole minute, so something is working. I'm not embarrassed. 

Father's Day gifts: khakis

I bought my dad's Father's Day gift months ago, but it's obvious by now that I'm not so good at keeping on a blog schedule that looks forward. I live life and then post it on here later. 

About Father's Day: dads like khakis. 

I gave my dad a pair of Jack Donnelly khakis for Christmas, and he LOVES them. He was on a search--he had tried on pair after pair, unsatisfied, until I struck gold with the pleated Daltons (pleated no longer for sale). They look nice, are great quality, feel comfortable, and are made in the USA! 

In case you haven't heard, Duck Head is back! They are beginning to sell clothes again, including khakis made nearby in Greensboro. My dad used to stock up on Duck Head shorts especially, but they've all worn out. I am looking forward to getting him a new pair; if they stick to their old fit, they'll be another solid made in USA option. 

That's all the suggestions I've got for now. What are y'all giving your dads???

weekend fly in May 2014

My uncle, grandfather, and dad hosted another fly in at our home airport this weekend. Several airplanes flew in, and people came from all around to enjoy aviation and great food. They cooked barbecue chicken, boiled potatoes, and corn. We all brought desserts -- my mom made chocolate pound cake and chocolate chess pies, and I made banana pudding again. 

This Piper Legend Cub is a light sport aircraft. 

I took my first formal lessons in the Cessna 152 above. It was tiny and hot and a nice introduction to flying (without my dad). 

This 1931 Buick drove in and the Stearman flew in to join us Saturday. It is rare to see a car and an airplane from the same era side by side. 

As always, I enjoyed the fly in!

sunset flights and fall foliage

My dad and I took these photos on a Sunday afternoon a month or so ago, and I can't believe I forgot to post them! I thought it was prime time for viewing fall foliage, but surprisingly, most everything looked green from up in the air. Maybe that was the collards. 

We hopped over to Wayne Executive Jetport in Goldsboro and got fuel. The airport manager is absolutely the nicest man in aviation, and I recommend stopping by if you fly. 

I hate that these photos are on a delay, but what better time to post them than the 110th anniversary of the first flight? 

Sunday afternoon aviation

One recent Sunday afternoon, my dad and I went flying in my uncle's airplane.

Besides this Piper Cherokee, I have also logged hours in a Piper Twin Comanche (my dad's), Cessna 152 and 172, and Diamond 20 and 40.  I have soloed in the 172 and Diamond 20.  

I feel comfortable taking off and landing in the Cherokee, but I have to practice emergency procedures and stalls in it before I can solo in it.

I have plenty of materials to study to take my written test (again) and I'm working on a current flight instructor.  I'm keeping on . . .

let's talk radio

If you live where I do, you may have noticed that our radio stations aren't as plentiful and wonderful as you may expect from a city of our size.  Or you may be laughing at me for even talking about radio.  I mean, we all listen to our iPods in the car, right?  

Well.  I drive a hand me down car without a USB port, and I can't even put new music on my iPhone because I can't get the new iTunes because I don't have Snow Leopard because my MacBook is old and my "applications store" icon disappeared.  I'm not even sure what all of that means, and by the way it's a miracle that I write a blog because I am 875 years old when it comes to using technology.

But back to the radio.  I spend a bit of time listening to the radio on my commutes around the county, and doing so has solidified my belief that I am completely out of touch with pop culture.  "Pop" music is disgusting cacophony.  Even the country station -- why is there only one?! -- sometimes plays rap.  Once in a while, they play the Luke Bryan winner winner catfish dinner song sandwiched between Taylor Swift and some old Tim McGraw, but then comes someone singing about a chrome piece tucked in the console, and I've already changed the station.  Sometimes I want to call the DJ and request the Alan Jackson Pandora station.  For a couple of weeks, I stuck with the local college radio station; now that's desperate.

Eventually the terrible music lead me to my very last option (probably even after silence): talk radio.  My new favorite companion on a road trip is some preaching on the radio.  I shake my head at the stupid financial decisions people have made when they call in to Dave Ramsey.  I catch up on the news and hear about new books coming out that I suddenly want to read.  Y'all.  I nod my head to the preachers on the radio, even "mmhmm"ing along with them, and (!!!) sometimes even "praise God!"  I actually TELL people about books I think we should read or what I learned from the sermon.  I asked my dad what his favorite station is the other day, and now I've picked up a new one to fill me in on politics.

I am old, and I am not embarrassed.

What do you listen to in the car?  What's your take on talk radio?

weekend family fly-in

This weekend, my uncle and grandfather hosted a fly-in at our airport.  They cooked a ton of food, including my favorites, barbecue chicken and boiled potatoes.  I got to meet new people and re-meet old family and flying friends.  I heard way too many times that I need to go ahead and finish my license . . .

Everyone gathered around, and my dad said the blessing.

This guy was coming in after doing the wildest aerobatics I've ever seen in person.

Here's my uncle's airplane, a Piper Cherokee, in flight.

Time to get in the air!