I have what many would consider the ideal job. I have to attend hearings
across the state of Maryland. Luckily, the places I go have GA airports
very close to the hearing sites. So I took the family once to Williamsburg
(great trip, great GA airport) this summer, but most of the other flying
I've done has been for business.

The really neat thing is that I can use the airplane to be in two places at
the same time. All of the hearing are scheduled for 9:30. If you ask
nicely in advance, you can go first at one site, fly to the second, and go
last (or farther down the list) at the second. Yesterday I flew from
Baltimore to southern Maryland (2W5), and from there to Cambridge (CGE). I
would have been impossible to make the trip timely by car, but it's only 28
minutes by air. I was back in Baltimore at 12:30, and in the office by
1:15. Next week I'm going to try western Maryland (Frederick) and Cambridge
(Eastern Shore) at the same time. It should be about 45 minutes by air.
There will be some precise navigation involved, but it's almost a perfectly
straight shot between the DC FRZ and BWI.

I arrange for my worthy opposition to pick me up at the airport, and return
me there. In exchange, I buy them breakfast or lunch (unless they want to
come along, in which case I get a loaner or taxi). Ususually they're very
happy to help, because it expedites the case and avoids postponements. And,
the airplane becomes a tool, not a toy.

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ps.com...
With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
What was the coolest flight you made this summer? Help us plan NEXT
summer's flight, by describing your "must-see" place from this year.

I'll get the ball rolling. We flew more this year than ever before,
and hit some pretty cool places -- but the most lovely, by far, was
Madeline Island, up in Lake Superior. My son and I flew to the island
with our mountain bikes, camped on the field right next to the plane,
and enjoyed three fantastic days of riding, swimming, and flying.

Aside from the quality time spent with my son, this is what stands out
most in my mind: On our last day, we departed into a crystal-clear,
azure blue sky, and made a round-robin, low-level tour of the Apostle
Islands, most of which are inhabited only by wild life. We stayed down
low over the water, never over-flying the islands themselves, but
rather shooting along side of them, marveling at the old lighthouses,
the dense forests, and the way the deep waters of Lake Superior could
be so impossibly clear.

This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.

You?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"