Twisp Fly-in - Family Style

My sister, Karen, sent me a message last night. "Whatcha doing tomorrow?", she asked. I replied that we were playing golf in the morning and then hanging out around the house in the afternoon. "Why?", I asked back.

While George and I were out on the golf course this morning, plans were firmed up with Jim, my brother-in-law, this morning for them to fly over for a short visit. Cool! My sis and BIL live southwest of Seattle and we are on the eastern slopes of the North Cascade mountains - a five hour car ride away but only a 45 minute flight.

Here they come!

Doing the Fly-By First

Aligned with the Runway

A safe and smooth landing behind them, time to taxi to the parking area.

We're over here!

One of my sister's friends, Becky, also came along for the flight. George and I took them into town and we had a late afternoon lunch at the Twisp River Pub. Luckily for them, they didn't have to ride into town in this "classic" courtesy car provided by the airport.

Ain't she a beauty? But a ride in this is better than no ride at all!

It was fun to visit for an hour or so before it was time to take them back to the airport. No TSA hassles, no parking fees, just a little old country airport.

George helped Jim push the airplane out onto the taxiway and then Jim started his pre-flight checklist. I have flown with Jim before and he is a very competent pilot. I am not afraid to fly with him at all!

Push, George, Push!

Checking for water in the fuel

We said our good-byes and the trio took off.

They're up!

Up!

And away!

Until next time!

Candy Stripe Silo

The round theme continues...

About two years ago, I stumbled across a website listing round barns and covered bridges. I like to check in occasionally to see what's new and if there is anything near wherever I happen to be. I noticed via another link that Dale, the website owner, was looking for a picture of the Candy Stripe Silo in Rosemount, MN.

On my last trip home, I left the hotel a few minutes early to find the silo since it was not too far from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. It was very easy to find although dealing with rush hour traffic of people heading into the cities was not as much fun. Needless to say, I've sent copies to Dale so he can update his website.

Heading to the Airport

Going to the airport is so much nicer with mornings like this.

Sunrise over East Wenatchee

Five for Friday - Minnesota Air National Guard

Minnesota Air National Guard, Minneapolis, MN - May 2013

Here's a different view taken from a different location in the airport on a different day. Do I fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport too much? Yes.

Air National Guard - April 2013

Last Time?

I was thinking I wouldn't be flying out of Minneapolis-St. Paul airport any more after tomorrow since my next trip starts in Spokane and ends in Fargo. But I quickly remembered I still connect through MSP. It will be interesting taking a different route for my trips to Minnesota.

For now, here's a shot looking across the runway in Minneapolis while I waited for my early evening flight a couple of weeks ago.

Minnesota Air National Guard - Minneapolis, Minnesota

MSP in the Morning

Incoming Flight at Daybreak - Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport

High Tech Travel

The week before last when I flew out of Minneapolis-St. Paul airport to come home, the G14/15 gate area had some construction underway. I didn't pay much attention to it actually. The seating area wasn't affected and all I really noticed were some temporary walls in place on the left as you entered the gate area.

Last Friday I was scheduled to fly home again out of the G14/15 gates. This time I had a morning departure and arrived around 7 a.m. for my flight. I walked into the gate area and had to do a double take. There was a new restaurant open. I even asked the server if they had just opened. She said "Yes, on Monday."

I was totally impressed with the restaurant. Talk about high tech travel! At each seat was an iPad where you ordered your food, a card reader to swipe your credit card to pay for it and an outlet to charge other electronics if needed. While waiting for your food to arrive, you could go online and check email, catch up on news or do a little more damage to your credit card. You could even put in your flight info and it would show you the current status on the bottom of the screen. I'm sure as your departure time gets close, a reminder would pop up and tell you to scoot! You know, just in case you got wrapped up in your emails so you don't miss your flight!!

iPad at each seat

Looking out into the gate area

Breakfast choices - thank goodness for travel allowances!

What would you like to do?

Reading the news while waiting for breakfast

To top this all off, the food wasn't bad either. I had the egg & bacon croissant. It even came with a side of home fries.

I look forward to my next flight home out of MSP. Hope it departs from the G14/15 gates again!