Day 16 - What a Difference a Day Makes -- 6/11/19

We woke up to a bluebird day, much different than the gray, gloomy, and extremely windy day of the day before.  Shannon of Indiana Flight Center kindly picked us up from the hotel and drove us to the airport -- what wonderful door-to-door service!

Rested and excited to continue our journey, we departed Indiana for Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama.  We normally planned to stop in two states per day but we wanted to make up for the weather day we spent in Elkhart.  Our first stop in Cairo, IL (KCIR), was selected because we spoke to Chris the day before.  He was so pleasant that we thought we should meet him and purchase fuel from him.  The fuel price at Cairo was the least expensive of any of our stops on this trip.  The airport is located between the Tennessee River and the Mississippi River.

Fueled and ready to go, we flew to Paducah, KY and did a quick touch and go.  Thanks tower for clearing us straight in and straight out.  Our second touch and go of the trip was at Corinth, MS (KCIR).  This was familiar territory to Claudette since she grew up along the Tennessee River.

Our final stop of the day was at Huntsville, AL (KHSV) where we were greeted by JP of Signature FBO and our 99 sister, Caroline Hodges.  We were treated royally and introduced to many people around the airport.  JP took extra care of MOJO.

Our special treat was having dinner with Alabama 99s and Kevin, Ramona's 49 1/2.  We were talking about weight and balance and Ramona commented that as baby birds of the Air Race, she and her partner did not know what they didn't know.  When she arrived at the start, racers asked her why she had so much "stuff."  Ramona's comment was, "I have a 182."  She didn't know that she was supposed to limit the load for faster racing.  Then the conversation segued to the RV14 and how much weight we could carry in the baggage area before stalling.  Claudette and I said that we were doing quite well on weight until we added the food bags.  Kevin was the comic of the evening with his droll comment, "Hurry up and eat."  You just had to be there!!

We enjoyed returning to Caroline's house for purr and bow wow therapy.  Caroline is passionate about rescuing animals.  Thank you for hosting us, Caroline!  😀

                                                           Good-bye, Elkhart, IN

                                                                          Cairo, IL (KCIR)

Myra and MOJO at Cairo

                                                                       TN River

We were amazed to see such a large wind farm with 100s of wind turbines.

JP -- treated us like queens

                                   Shirley taking care of students at Revolution Flight School

Notice the legs

Dinner with Alabama 99s and 49 1/2

Claudette, Ramona, Judith, Nancy, Nina, Myra, Caroline, and Kevin