Forty-Eight Down, Two To Go

A wonderful thing happened to me on Monday. I was able to finally check off another state from my Never-Visited-States list! We stopped in Kentucky for fuel! I have flown over it countless times and considered counting that as official. Despite its central location in the middle of the country, we have never landed in Kentucky prior to this day. At least, not since I have been working here for almost four years. Can you believe that? Four years?!

The weather was bad enough in Philadelphia that a non-stop flight from Addison in Dallas, Texas would be cutting it a little close with fuel reserves. We consequently planned a fuel stop along the way...and guess what happened to be on the way? The Bluegrass State itself! We quick-turned in Owensboro on the western side of the Kentucky, simply because the weather was still really nice there. And it had a control tower. It's always nice to have someone sitting in a control tower with binoculars, guiding your every move, when you are at an unfamiliar airport. I have found, through lots of personal experience, that most controllers are pretty neat and more than willing to help. Especially in a place like Owensboro, Kentucky, where perhaps they might not see another airplane in the traffic pattern for two hours. In lots of busy airports, we are intentionally on our toes and ready to be taxiing in strange territory. But sometimes, by using my nicest voice possible on the radio frequency, the controllers are happy to help us find which taxiway is best to get into the FBO ramp. It's amazing what happens when you are nice to air traffic controllers.

After getting some gas and refilling the coffe pot with some fresh brew, we were on our way to soggy Philadelphia. I love this town. Mostly because I don't dare go out at night. I enjoy weather like this, if only because it makes me want to curl up by the fireplace and read a good book. For some reason, I had neither with me during my sojourn in Philladelphia, PA. But I made do with other forms of joyful entertainment. And the joy had absolutely nothing to do with eating dinner two nights in a row at Longhorn Steakhouse. Nothing at all!

Kentucky down. Finally! Vermont and Alaska to go.