An Olive Branch

Sure, whatever. Actually, it reminds me of this joke a friend sent
the other day about how War was averted between Ireland and France.
Seems that Paddy down at the Harp Pub in County Sligo, Ireland, called
Jacques Chirac, The French Prime Minister, and

Oh the heck with it. I have no heart for the partisan crap at the
moment.

Actually I've been thinking about a two-week trip we just got back
from visiting New England. Saw an old friend, made 3 new friends
including a new-found "aunt" in Gloucester, learned how the natives
pronounce Newburyport, got up to Montreal....fantastic trip. Great
Autumn colors and local characters. Wanted to rent a plane for a bit
but weather and time did not permit. God (oops, can I use his name in
this context) I really want to fly around New England. I'm gonna make
a true cross-country trip out there in a year or two in my Aircoupe.
Yep, gotta do it.

Anyway I got back to North California and to warm up the oil flew from
the Central Valley (Davis) to Truckee in the Sierra Nevadas. Great
California fall day...snow in the mountains, visibility well over 100
miles. I could see the far distant Coast Range from over Truckee.

And I was thinking, what a great time and place to live. To be a
pilot--me, Joe Schmuck--to be able to hop into my personal little
Pudhopper, and fly when and where I want. To dream, realistically,
about flying across this country. To personally know a pilot who flew
his Coupe from Barrow Alaska to Key West Florida, and another who flew
his Coupe to the four farthest airports in the continental US corners.

To live in a country where, by design, our leaders come and go,
instead of sticking around and really doing damage. What a privilege
eh? I'll bet there are millions of people around the world who would
literally give their left arm to take my place, or anybody's place in
this group.

So good on ya mate. Next week I'll bitch about Dubya's latest
screwup, but not today. Today I ordered East and West full sectional
coverage from Howie Keefe so I can start figuring out places to go and
things to see. Today, I turn off the talking heads, and think and
dream.