Rosie & Tuppergal?s Caribbean Trip 2013

[txaviator]

Why do some planes not have the large N numbers (in your photos), while others do? I thought it was a fairly stringent requirement for all aircraft heading down there?

(I may have asked this question in years past, but for the life of me, I can't recall the answer!)

*Edit: and I just now saw in a previous post within this thread, that the fines for non-large numbers is immense?

From Rosie: Here's what I've learned over the years... You are more than likely NOT going to be intercepted departing the USA, thus, many fliers do not use the 12" numbers outbound, personal choice.

On my very first trip to the Turks & Caicos (2004), I (too) did not have 12" N numbers leaving for the USA. On the very same trip, I had a magneto go bad on Stella Maris (Long Island, Bahamas). Laird "Lucky" Owens flew me back to Ft. Pierce to pickup the new mag, and Gary "Seismo" Zilk (and wife Red) followed us (for fun).

On departure BACK to Stella Maris, our 2-ship crossed the ADIZ...and then Seismo's plane started running rough...and he returned to Fort Pierce. I can't remember if they had to go to the penalty box on landing back at Ft. Pierce. Either way, for this very reason, I now put mine on before I leave just in case I come back. I've said it before and will say it again...more times than not, USA Customs personnel may not the most friendly government people you will meet.

[N363RV]

Originally Posted by Rosie

She asked why we were visiting the Turks & Caicos (pleasure vacation) and where we were staying on Grand Turk (Osprey Beach Hotel:

The owners of the Osprey Beach Hotel are Jenny and Loren. They are neighbors of ours in our Colorado home! If you get a chance, say hello to them from John and Amanda Eldridge. What a small, small world!

We can smell the salt air from your wonderful posts Rosie - have a great time!

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by txaviator

Why do some planes not have the large N numbers (in your photos), while others do? I thought it was a fairly stringent requirement for all aircraft heading down there?

(I may have asked this question in years past, but for the life of me, I can't recall the answer!)

*Edit: and I just now saw in a previous post within this thread, that the fines for non-large numbers is immense?

The 12" N number is a US requirement going through the ADIZ. After they left the US, they were NO LONGER in the US so there was no one there for an enforcement action.

IMHO, you are correct in that the 12" N numbers should be on for the outbound trip.

[RV7Ron]

Great stuff Rosie, thanks for taking the time to share...it really helps us that are still PR!

[Rosie]

I'm...... BACK!!!!!!

Many thanks to Mike Bullock and Scoot (and Seismo and countless others that I'm sure offered help) for getting this computer illiterate, DOS-based, old FTP dude and almost-back-to Gopher Rosie.

It's about 1745 here on Grand Turk. We have scheduled the 'Island' group picture for 1800, and right after that, I have to get ready for our night dive.

I will get back online after the night dive and play 'catch-up'! My body is still on CA time so I can work till 0200 local to get caught up.

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! Rosie



I just LOVE this picture by Scoot of my wife and his wife

[Rosie]

Good morning our RV Family of Friends,

Our only two FULL days here on Grand Turk (April 10-11) have been just FANTASTIC (we leave Friday for the BVI), and here's the routine on "Island Time". Wake up to the sounds of waves washing onto the beach...very peaceful and relaxing. As I stir around 0800, Tuppergal has been awake for an hour or two. She starts the hot water for my morning bowl of oatmeal (the packets are EASY to pack/carry in the plane). By 0830, I'm getting ready for the morning 2-tank dive. The Dive Boat arrives....right on the beach in front of the hotel. We head out at 0900, dive, surface, dive, surface and we are returned right back to the beach in front of the hotel. Then we take a very short walk to "The Atrium" where we have lunch...then back to the hotel to sit around the pool and tell... what else....stories..."There I was..."

Here are some more pictures from Taco & Belle's camera:







Left to Right: Jody Wootton and her son Will, Cookie, Laura & Randy McFarland and Scoot:





Dinner at the nearby Atrium:



Taco, Keys and Opie:



Taco with a very happy Kitty (Keys looks on):



Here's Belle doing a nice backflip!



Today, I finished up all the courses required for the Advanced Open Water diving sessions: Deep, Navigation, Night, Peak Bouyancy, Underwater Naturalist. I have good news and bad news....The good news is that I passed! The bad news is that I cannot swim backwards in an upright position, ah....I can...but if posted on Youtube would go viral due to how silly I look trying to move my arms and feet at the same time!

Here I am with my Divemaster Lamar Griffiths:

[xblueh2o]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Now that is one contented looking dog.

[Rosie]

The owner of Blue Water Divers, Mitch Rolling, first certified me back in 2004 along with Bryan Wood. As done the previous two trips, he and his significant-other Audrey invited the 'group' over to their home for drinks and conversation (and more drinks!). The pictures tell all!

Rosie & Mitch





Jailbird and new friends Joe Lambert and his wife Lori:



It's customary for everyone to buy an 'islands' poster that we all sign (with personal notes). Here's the signing of numerous posters:





You gotta' love this shirt!



Janet & Gene Larsen who are right behind me in flights to the 'Islands'. We love you both!







And that's a wrap for tonight all....



It's now 0100 on Friday morning, and there is a 5-ship departure for the British Virgin Islands after clearing Customs. My skypark neighbor Doug Dodson will fly with us in his Glasair and 'fall of the perch' when overflying Puerto Rico. Keys, Jailbird & Indira, Sharkbait & Steph will follow Rosie & Tuppergal over Puerto Rico into Beef Island (EIS).

Check our ground track starting ~1000 EST to see the flight continue on our month long flying vacation in the Carribean!

Keep poundin' them rivets because it's ALL worth it! Rosie & Tuppergal

[pierre smith]

I could smell the seabreeze a few minutes ago

Thanks, Rosie,

Enjoy,

From Rosie: Thanks for checking in Pierre! Life is good Here's one more picture on how we got back to the hotel from Mitch's house:



And the FAMOUS group picture we ALWAYS take!

[rvator51]

Rosie,
Can you please adopt me?

From Rosie: Tom, you know I've been trying to get you and Katie to join us for many years now!?! Think "Caymans 2015"