The last pilot for the day asked that we get started as early as possible, and since I don't fly at night, it was a 15 minute before sunrise departure. I picked up husky Mesquite in San Angelo (KSJT) at 8:30, and headed for Taylor (T74). As I arrived in Taylor, I thought something was amiss. I hadn't heard the other pilot on common traffic, nor did I see her sitting on the ramp. Sure enough, when I got to my phone there was a message that she couldn't get her plane started.
I fueled up, and headed for the terminal building where it was out of the wind and at least above freezing. I touched base with the coordinator and pilot of the 3rd leg. He and I agreed to each go a bit further, basically splitting the second leg.
I offered to return my co-pilot to his car, but he was in for the entire adventure, so off we went. I had a huge head start since I had already finished my original leg and the other pilot was coming in from New Orleans, so my co-pilot and I took our time and did some meandering on our way in to Houston.
We landed at Houston executive - another pin in the map Rosie! - and settled in for a 45 minute wait in a really nice FBO. The dog had lots of admirers and treated them all accordingly.
It was a good day for the greenhouse effect in our cockpit with the cold temps, but the sun was shining and no turbulence at altitude. All easy legs, just a little more flight time than expected.
Some were up way before the crack of dawn:
Meet Mesquite!
All cozy in the back of the 9A. He wasn't so sure he wanted to get out.
First light
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