Art and I decided to wait out the storm fearing Evelyn had been through enough abuse already, and take off once it was clear. It turned out to be an all day event, and around midnight, we were able to leave for Sinclair Memorial
I brought her to our cruising altitude and my side kick Art (dont tell him I called him that) prepared the potato chips...we opted to not eat the lunch meats for fear of our immediate health, and opened a couple of the bottled waters. Luckily enough as we were meandering the heavens, the night sky began to glowlike the weary smiles that crept up on our tired faces.
As we continued on our journey, getting farther and farther from home, all I could think about was getting our lovely lady to her vacation place where she would spend a month or so having mechanical surgery, before we flew her down to St. Louis for her face lift. And while I was day dreaming...OK I wasnt day dreaming. Im a focused pilot, before my eyes did I see a beautiful sight. The runway lights of Sinclair
We had landing approval over the radio from Denise who is Tony's wife of many years as well as a welcome home. I couldnt wait to climb into a nice fresh bed with crisp sheets, and call the love of my life Diane in Alaska, who no doubt was missing me. Art went through our landing checklist one final time, and I began our final decent
Evelyn, old as she was, gently touched down onto the gravel strip, and I swear you could hear a sigh of relief coming from her. I know airplanes arent human, but Evelyn in her fifty plus years has seen a lot. She would be able to relax her wings for a while.
I tell you what....it sure is nice to sleep in such a fine bed, in a very well kept inn and not think about the occasionally bumpy flight. Apparently while I slept, Tony made it safely home as well.
Here are a couple of parting shots I took of Evelyn before I planned Art and I's next trip together. Art opted to go fishing and relax for a couple weeks so he could spend some quality time with nature.
Evelyn as she will rest for the next four to six weeks while the engine and electrics wizard Tony brings her back to life. He really is the fountain of youth and I highly recommend him.
Here she is a little more personal. if you look closely, you can see Tony and Art under the wing, Im sure telling old war stories over some wonderful steaming hot coffee, before Art went on his fishing trip.
Well folks thats it for now, until Evelyn is ready to head to St Louis, Missouri for her repainting. Hope you have enjoyed it thus far.
I was thinking personally, we should paint her in a truibute scheme to her old former glory. She started out as a Northwest plane, and I think its only fitting to redress her as such.
Comments always welcomed.
If you havent seen it...here are the other two parts to my story of Evelyn's trip
