South Bend - Part 1

[petehowell]

One of the stated reasons for building the -9A was to use it to see my family that is mostly in Indiana. Well this weekend, my intrepid co-pilot and rivet placer saw a huge high pressure area over the midwest. This meant a chance to head east to see Grandma and also go tailgating at the Notre Dame - Georgia Tech game.

We left bright and early Friday morning. FS told us clear and unlimited visibility, with some fog in the valleys of Wisconsin. The plan was to go high (7500) and skirt south of the lake. KANE-KJOT-KEKM. Kate was running the camera.

The awesome tower guys at Anoka set us up with Flight Following on the ground.



It took Kate all of 10 min to get some shut eye


Shore 'nuff there was fog in them valleys - Lacrosse was fogged in.



Kate woke up for snacks - her XM choice was Radio Disney



Chicago from the south, 7500ft just outside the Bravo



Only clouds we saw the whole trip



Made it from Minne to South Bend in 409nm, 2.8 hours, 16 gallons. Cleaned the bugs and off to lunch with grandma!

[petehowell]

Saturday morning we tailgated at the Fighting Irish game with my sister and her family then left after lunch. The plan was to fly up the lakeshore from Gary to Waukegan and then up and over to Minne. Once again, 5 min after launch, Kate was out like a light - she is very consistent.



The scenery as you fly by Chicago is really amazing. Chicago appoach was very helpful along the way.




Kate woke up as we passed over Madison and suggested another cockpit photo - notice the Irish tatoo.....mom will be thrilled



Back home in 2.9 hours and watched the end of the Georgia Tech destruction of the Irish on TV. Good to be back as it is my 17th wedding anniversary - Andi and I had a great Thai dinner and ice cream for dessert!

[Yukon]

Pete, that's so wonderful!!!! Cherish those moments with your little girl! Mine's 18 now, and it is hard to get the time of day from her!!! Still love her though!

[WilburD2]

Beautiful young ladies you have there gents.. Mine's 23 and living 1200 miles away. Just remember one little bit of philosophy I learned along the road. Daughters are Gods punishment for us being men.. We always dread them meeting a guy like WE were at their age..

[skatetrainer]

That photo of the KANE tower/washpad have inspired me to go over and wash the airplane today! I think I'll take my daughter with this time. (10)

[aviationgeek84]

Great write-up! Love these stories - inspiration!

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

2.8 hours!!! 16 gallons!! (that's about equal to the Illinois and Indiana toll roads, isn't it?) Geez. That's about my halfway point when I drive to new England and I'm usually DOG tired (with fuel stops, breakfast, lunch and traffic,,,it takes me 10-12 hours, I'll bet) by then.

What great inspiration! I gotta call in sick some more this week and work on the plane.

[cnpeters]

Pete,
Thanks for the wonderful inspiration. Your trip captured what it all is about... . Interestingly, I have a daughter around Katie's age, and she, too, will fall asleep promptly when we fly (a Dakota usually). Holler if you are ever down in central IL - would love to meet you and see the -9A (and we have 3 Thai restaurants in Bloomington/Normal!).
Carl