Day 1 ... from Bill C.

The following was sent in by Bill ... I have made a few edits for spelling only. {JEC}

Well the trip is underway. Pictures to download tomorrow. Seven fearless aviators departed from Maine, NC, Ga, and Fla. to join up in Baton Rouge, La. for this year's "Adventure".

After dodging numerous clouds, we arrived in Alabaster, AL for fuel and on to BTR. More clouds to dodge. Arrived by dinnertime and promptly headed to beer-30 and dinner. Off to gamble at our chosen hotel on the river where riverboat gambling is legal and very active. After a good night's rest, we were greeted with low ceilings in LA and east TX. A late morning departure sent us, once again, dodging clouds. Surprise. Along about Waco, we lost the clouds and motored on to Brownwood, TX near Abilene.

This is a BIG state! After almost 3 hours we are in the middle...Gas stop was uneventful, but can't imagine why anyone would live here...92 degrees and breezy. On West for 2 more hours to leave the state and hit New Mexico. Saw numerous wind farms, our new best energy policy, and more numerous oil wells. Seems every West Texan has one or more in their back 40. Population out here must be less than 1 per square mile. Wind becomes awful. Like rolling waves, nothing severe, but constant rolling like it must feel on a boat tossed around in the vast ocean (of air). Terrain rising up now. At 8500' we are approaching Carlsbad, NM where airport is nearly 4000'.

All safely on the ground after about 10 hrs. in the air past 2 days. HOT like I couldn't believe...try 102 on the ground here. Hottest landing I've ever made. Dry, but HOT. Did I tell you its HOT? Few of us went out to Caverns to watch bats leave the cave for dinnertime as sun goes down ... millions of the critters. Tomorrow we will depart very early to beat heat and thermals. By noon its too HOT to think. Should arrive in Scottsdale before noon and hit pool.

Who planned a trip out here in June? Expect 106 in Phoenix next few days..thinking about roadtrip to Sedona for a day to rest our weary bones. Flying needs an off-day to recuperate. Our old bodies aren't what they used to be. Since LB didn't make it, the average age of this group is up a tad! Population in West Texas way less than East Texas ... Hard to find any homes down there. The flyings been fun though tiring. Many new sites to most of us, more to come. Will report back soon ...

Already talking about next year to New England/Hershey, PA/Nova Scotia. Be thinking about it cause we miss all you guys not here.

... Reno and the gang.