Not that I want to rush my life ahead, yet I do this every year around this time.. I countdown to SPRING , longer days, warmer weather, and more time at the airport.
Yet I must admit winter does have beauty my eyes have seen, snow drifting down from our heavens to paint our drab colors of the resting of natures brown colored ground into a spectacle of awe.
This year we are fortunate that a few of the planes based here have skis and we have such a group here, that will say what's mine is yours. Flying with skis is a challenge and flying above a fresh white snow is peaceful..we are lucky to have a great airport gang that will brace the cold to help tame the winter weather to share in flying on skis.
While we also spend allot of time in the airport lounge this time of year being lounge lizards, we have a 1000 piece puzzle we are putting together, hot cocoa, and our friends always stop by knowing we will be there. Hangar talk is always rampant, as it seems the winter engages the imagination more so among us pilots. I mean just yesterday my bud told me his Chief files as high as 40,000 feet... Really??..☺
My Girly Plane goes in for annual soon, and that in itself is something I look forward. My mechanic and me tear her down and I always insist on doing most of the work. This helps me understand the mechanics and gives me more knowledge, you can never have too much. Afterwards,I will be assured that she will be ready to embark on all the adventures I have planned come spring time.
So go visit your airport , pull your plane out if you can (some are grounded due to weather)...try something new such as flying on skis, or simply catch up with your fellow pilots and tell stories over a beer if you can't fly.
The camaraderie itself should be enjoyed..nurturing of friendships is the very root of life.
Happy flying and countdown with me!!
1. Taking off on skis, 2. My bud landing his Chief on skis, 3. My friend Gene (89) after having landed his J2, 4. Our grass strip downwind, 5. Our winter digs, lounge where we are lounge lizards.
