Flying High

Yesterday morning came quickly. I woke up anxious, nervous, sad, excited, and completely unsure about my long trip south in our little Cessna.
First, I had to get my little boys ready for school and hug them goodbye. The morning went by fast and smoothly. The kids are troupers and got ready with tolerated my giant tight hugs every 7 minutes. They were sad to see us leave but very excited for a weekend with Grammie and Grampa.
Finally, there was no avoiding it. It was time to hop in the plane.
The cards lined up beautifully for us. A major snowstorm that dumped several feet up and down the east coast hit us on Wednesday. Schools were closed and most commercial flights were canceled. LUCKY!!! If that storm hit one day later we would have had a major issue. Instead, the skies were blue and the winds were in our favor.

My husband flew us safely and smoothly. Once we were in the air on our first of two legs, I calmed down nicely. Take off is the worst part for me. I feel very vulnerable. However, 10 minutes into the flight I realized I had to go to the bathroom. I kept my mouth shut. Shortly thereafer, Mark proudly declared that if the winds continued to be so strong at our back, we wouldn't make our first stop until Virginia! VIRGINIA???? There was NO Way I could imagine 'holding it' from Maine to Virginia. It was bad. It's not like you can just sweetly say, "Um, honey, is ok if you just pull over quickly at that gas station? I drank too much coffe...." yeah right. NOt really a choice. I was on FULL Try to relax and not tthink about it mode. I read vorociously and survived until Delaware! I was proud. In all seriousness, Mark did great. He is so understanding of my fears and all he could to reassure me. He is completely at ease up there so that is comforting. I had a little uncertainty when he was turned around or holding a map with two hands and reading those heiroglyphics. Why aren't you watching the road? I'd ask him...
Oh, Auto pilot. Ok, what's that about. Why should I trust Him???
It was all good. A super easy flight.
Two 6 hour legs. We departed Maine at 10:30 and arrived at 5:30 with a 45 min stop. Not bad!!
Below are a few pictures from our journey.



Looking out at our home as we flew away........



my personal pilot




the cockpit



the runway and the hanger were plowed out but that's about it....


another look at Oxford Hills



The photo above is looking at the Manhattan skyline (hard to see) and below is JFK airport in NYC


We're here!!! 5:30 p.m.


_________________________


I'm feeling great today. Mark and I are having fun relaxing together. It's Amazing to me how easy it is to prep for a Run event rather than a Tri. Wow...there's not much to do! I slept 10 solid hours last night and now I feel completely ready to race hard.

I have a super hard goal for myself. And that is why I'm not putting it out there until I'm done. It's the way I need to do it this time.

The weather is beautiful. IT's bright bright sunshine and comfortable. I'd say 40s right now. By No means Hot South Carolina weather which is Great for this Maine girl in January.