Saying Goodbye to Texas

This morning had to wait for overcast to clear! I guess morning clouds can find me anywhere. Lifted off at 7:45 with a ground temp of 90. At 6,000 temp a comfortable 65 and the holes are getting bigger.

Houston. 10:45
What a thrill to be flying over this city I’ve heard about in story and song. Talked to Houston approach and requested a transition right over the George Bush International airport IAH.

Approaching Houston the terrain started to change. Rivers with water, several large lakes. Heavy haze so I determine to fly lower hoping for better visibility. It worked, with haze clearing as I descended over the next 60 nm onto Hawthorne 45R in Silsbe TX. Hawthorne offered a challenging direct cross wind of 11 gusting to 14. On the ground, waiting to greet me was Alton. A wonderful southern gentleman with a quick sense of humor. Escorting me to the office he told me some of his story and eagerly encouraged me to stay and visit awhile. I took longer than I’d planned, because I could not resist getting to know Alton, just a bit. He worked for years as an emergency dispatcher, but his muscular myopathy rendered his hands unable to type. He could no longer perform the service he took pride in. But while challenged, he is not the least bit despondent . Instead he makes the best of things and is learning about planes working at the airport. Flying away I found myself wishing I had decided to change my goal for the day and simply spend the afternoon in Hawthorne. I’m going to have to learn to relax and not be so focused on daily distance goals, but rather embrace opportunities that arise.
Thank you Alton, for brightening my afternoon!

12:35 Louisiana.
Flying at 4,000, a comfy 70 degrees and just a bit of bounce. The terrain is all green trees, rivers and lakes. I’m aware that I feel more comfortable over this terrain, and realize it’s more like home in Washington. Just before making a stop at St Landry Parish OPL in Opelousas farms begin to pop up.
It's thrilling to spot Lake Pontchartrain, and fly past Baton Rouge. New territory!

2:40 Mississippi.
Picayune MJD is located just outside town of same name. A beautiful airport with another southern gentlemen that zips out on the golf cart to fuel my plane $5.20 a gallon. Not as good as Hondo’s $4.75, but still good for these times. Humid and upper 70’s. I’m handed the keys to a grand old Lincoln Towncar with a good air conditioner. With directions and a town map I find a motel with a pool and am happily settled in after a beautiful day of flying.