Monday, December 29, 2008

Travis and Sandra Lifting Off

We got some flying in yesterday even thought it was freezing! Most of my photos weren't very interesting so I won't post them. I did get a few shots of Travis and his wife Sandra taking off today though.







Jack

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Friends, Flying, Fun, and Fornication

Got your attention didn't I? Sometimes flying is more fun than you can imagine.

Scott, Travis, Chris, and I headed out for an afternoon flight. All went as usual. Chris using his smoke system, Scott's parachute hurting my eyes, Travis climbing like a helicopter, everything was normal...

We headed back to the field as the sun was getting lower. The other three guys were doing touch-n-goes, so I decided to fly a little west of the field. That's when I saw them. There were these very white creatures in the back of a pickup. At first, I thought it was some kind of animal, so I flew closer and then I figured it out! Uh oh! They scrambled at first, trying to get dressed, then I think after I radioed the others to come see, I think they just gave up. Something about four PPCs circling must have spoiled the mood! My guess is they won't be back! Kind of gives a new meaning to an old aviation saying, "Keep the shiney side up!".

Chris chasing his shadow.


Chris and Scott


Chris smoking.
Scott


Chris and Scott
Travis
Hi Ray. I love to fly too!




Last but not least, the proof of the story!


Till next time,
Jack

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

What a Year!!

This has been one of the longest, best and worst years of my life...

January - I decided to sell my plane. I registered it as a Light Sport Aircraft.

February - I traded the plane for a Powered Paraglider.

April - I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer.

May - I found out about Cryoablation as an optional procedure.

June - I went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and had surgery.

July - I mostly spent this month recovering. Sold my PPG!

August - I found a PPC I wanted and me and my friend Frank made a roadtrip from Austin to Georgia to get it.

September - I went back to Johns Hopkins for my follow-up. I'm cancer free. This would be the best month! I will have many more visits, but I won't dread them as much.

October - December - So far, so good. I've been to a lot of UT football games as well as my trip with friends to Baton Rouge (previous post), and just stayed busy in general.

All in all, a good year. It had scary moments, but it could have been a lot worse. Thanks for sharing it with me. I'm looking forward to a lot of flying next year, so be ready for a lot of posts.

Cancer Sucks
Jack

LSU vs. Ole Miss

Not too much PPC flying lately. I flew with Travis last Friday, but I didn't take my camera as I was too cold to take my gloves off and push the button!

Here's some photos from a recent trip I took to LSU with my friends Jeff, John and Frank. Jeff flew us out there in his V-Tail Bonanza.

Frank and his Buzz Lightyear headset!


Looking out my window.


On approach in Baton Rouge. Not the greatest photos due to the window tint.

In this one you can see Tiger Stadium.


On Final.









Close in on final. In this photo, if you look on the right edge you'll see a Cessna 182 that was on final for 4 Right as we were landing on 4 Left. Click on the photo to make it larger.
Here's a closer shot.



































That's all of the football pics for the year.
Jack