Yesterday I arrived home from my last work trip before the "BIG" air race.....EXHAUSTED! I had just enough time for a quick layover at home, un-pack and re-pack for my flight to Kansas City. Well, I made both flights (Dallas, TX change over) and to my surprise, I actually got assigned seats that were NOT the jumpseat....YIPPEE!!!
Joyce picked me up and we hit the ground running! So much to do...put race numbers on the plane, maintenence sign-off regarding the plane (maintenence....WHAT?!), wash the plane...etc. etc. etc....! I watched her hurried pace and smiled when she talked about her excited yet nervous stomach. I smiled because I know exactly how she feels. Her adreneline is starting to kick in but she hasn't seen anything yet! When we get that departing time slot and cue to take flight.....WOW that's when her stomach is really gonna rumble but Joyce is such a trooper, I know she's up for the challenge.
While enroute to pick up a few items for the flight to Iowa City, Joyce asked me if I'm nervous, I replied...No. I'm so relaxed (wink, wink for the moment) because I simply feel blessed and highly favored to participate in such an event that may forever be a valued part of aviation history. It was NOT by accident that we were brought together as a team. We're bringing home first place medals Bessie Bloggers....I can feel it! Catch that jet stream winning Spirit and feel it too!
Well bloggers, it is getting late and the day has been quite long. That said, It is time to close for the moment so that I might get a good nights rest. I want to be refreshed for the flight to "The Heartland" but the excitement is starting to build and I think my tummy's starting to RUMBLE....! Good Nite BLOG HEADS; see ya in Iowa...Athina
I hardly slept Wednesday evening (didn't get home from church until 12:25 a.m. Thursday morning, but, that's a story for another time:-)) in anticipation of all the last minute things I needed to take care of Thursday. At 0530, Athina text'd me to say she was on the 0600 flight from Miami and would be in KC by 1045. It was a gray, overcast morning, but I had a plan and timeline for getting things accomplished. I visited with some friends until it was time to pick up Athina, and by 1030 it was raining. After collecting Athina, we headed back to Topeka, ordered takeout from Olive Garden, and reviewed our game plan for the remainder of the day. While Athina was home unpacking, repacking, and making pre-departure contacts, I made a bank run, post office run, and church run (had to brief my substitute on managing those 4 & 5 yr-olds for the next two weeks:-)). I also needed to make sure that "The Joybird" was ready; Keith, my mechanic, discovered last Friday that she needed a new muffler. I contacted Keith and true to form, "The Joybird" was ready. Athina and I headed to the airport to 'christen' "The Joybird" by gracing her beautiful empennage with the official 2011 Air Race Classic (Winning) No. 37 ~ YAY!!!! :-).
We cleaned the area where the numbers were to be affixed and very meticulously measured and applied the '3' and the '7' on each side. Although some air bubbles snuck in here and there, "Team Bessie" and "The Joybird" were now officially ready to take flight as Classic Racer 37!!! Iowa City, here we come!!! :-)...Joyce
Joyce picked me up and we hit the ground running! So much to do...put race numbers on the plane, maintenence sign-off regarding the plane (maintenence....WHAT?!), wash the plane...etc. etc. etc....! I watched her hurried pace and smiled when she talked about her excited yet nervous stomach. I smiled because I know exactly how she feels. Her adreneline is starting to kick in but she hasn't seen anything yet! When we get that departing time slot and cue to take flight.....WOW that's when her stomach is really gonna rumble but Joyce is such a trooper, I know she's up for the challenge.
While enroute to pick up a few items for the flight to Iowa City, Joyce asked me if I'm nervous, I replied...No. I'm so relaxed (wink, wink for the moment) because I simply feel blessed and highly favored to participate in such an event that may forever be a valued part of aviation history. It was NOT by accident that we were brought together as a team. We're bringing home first place medals Bessie Bloggers....I can feel it! Catch that jet stream winning Spirit and feel it too!
Well bloggers, it is getting late and the day has been quite long. That said, It is time to close for the moment so that I might get a good nights rest. I want to be refreshed for the flight to "The Heartland" but the excitement is starting to build and I think my tummy's starting to RUMBLE....! Good Nite BLOG HEADS; see ya in Iowa...Athina
I hardly slept Wednesday evening (didn't get home from church until 12:25 a.m. Thursday morning, but, that's a story for another time:-)) in anticipation of all the last minute things I needed to take care of Thursday. At 0530, Athina text'd me to say she was on the 0600 flight from Miami and would be in KC by 1045. It was a gray, overcast morning, but I had a plan and timeline for getting things accomplished. I visited with some friends until it was time to pick up Athina, and by 1030 it was raining. After collecting Athina, we headed back to Topeka, ordered takeout from Olive Garden, and reviewed our game plan for the remainder of the day. While Athina was home unpacking, repacking, and making pre-departure contacts, I made a bank run, post office run, and church run (had to brief my substitute on managing those 4 & 5 yr-olds for the next two weeks:-)). I also needed to make sure that "The Joybird" was ready; Keith, my mechanic, discovered last Friday that she needed a new muffler. I contacted Keith and true to form, "The Joybird" was ready. Athina and I headed to the airport to 'christen' "The Joybird" by gracing her beautiful empennage with the official 2011 Air Race Classic (Winning) No. 37 ~ YAY!!!! :-).
We cleaned the area where the numbers were to be affixed and very meticulously measured and applied the '3' and the '7' on each side. Although some air bubbles snuck in here and there, "Team Bessie" and "The Joybird" were now officially ready to take flight as Classic Racer 37!!! Iowa City, here we come!!! :-)...Joyce