Jay Honeck wrote in message ...

Jay, I've really enjoyed your reports here, as well as the many others. I've
been lurking for a while, and have taken special note of your posts, having
spent about 25 years growing up in the environs of one of the best places to
live. I envy you, and sometimes wonder why I ever left. The first home I
remember was almost literally in the shadow of Kinnick stadium, post WW2
student/faculty Quonset huts that were eliminated to built the Dental
building. I've never flown, and probably won't ever, except for the MS
Flightsim, but I can appreciate the passion you and everyone else here
shares. I know you'll understand when I say one of my favorite ideas for a
great time here in Chicago is to park by Ohare - or is that O'Hara? - and
just watch the miracle of Bernoulli battling Newton.

Today promised to be the quality weather day to attend the (usually
blisteringly hot) Iowa State Fair, held annually in Des Moines, Iowa. The
weather was in the 80s, but the humidity was low and a broken cloud cover
promised to keep the UV exposure down -- so it was off the fair for the
Honeck tribe.

As many of you know, this is one of THE best state fairs to attend, with
literally thousands of participants, displaying everything from monster
trucks to champion rabbits. (I'm not kidding!) It's a veritable
smorgasbord of events, concerts, rides, and animals, and the kids
absolutely
love it.

In all those years of living in Iowa I never made it to the fair.

[snip wonderful adventure]
At last, we were back at the airport, where the overcast that had settled
over Des Moines was rapidly retreating eastward. Arcing into the
diminishing daylight, into a sky as thick and calm as a bowl of melted
butter, we contentedly droned back to Iowa City, fat, dumb and happy. It
was a marvelous day.

Did the tailwind compensate for increased weight?

- Rick