It was a chilly morning on the mountain in Fines Creek. Chilly, but clear, except for a little fog
down in the valley. The night before we decided on a flight plan which had a slew of waypoints in it, vice a more boring direct course. The multi-point plan added a few minutes, but we figured it would be nice to see some progress as the waypoints passed. Our IFR clearance was exactly as filed and was available immediately after we called clearance delivery (a first for me). When we taxied to the end of the runway, we got our takeoff clearance immediately after calling the tower (another first). The flight was just as trouble-free, as we had a 10-15 knot tailwind most of the
way as we traveled along the Appalachian Mountains, had no turbulence, and only flew through clouds for about 30 seconds as we descended into Readington, where there was quite a variety of activity... a big, blue blimp practicing landings, a Cessna doing touch-and-goes on the crosswind turf runway, and a couple other planes coming and going. In the distance we could see New York City and New York Harbor. We finally made it to the East Coast!! We landed, fueled
up the plane, and were happily greeted by Margie and Anna, two of Bob's sisters. After a short drive to Anna and her husband Mark's house, we walked up to the front door, on which hung a congratulatory Superman poster, and balloons waited inside. Soon more family and friends showed up and the Jersey-Italian-Jewish feast began (enough food to feed four times as many people) and was topped off by a
delicious chocolate cake from Shop-Rite. Bob's family were so friendly, generous, lively, fun to be around, and made me feel part of the family; I would love to stay longer. Unfortunately, my tight schedule has me leaving tomorrow for the Washington, DC area, and more unfortunately, leaving Bob behind. He plans to spend the week in New Jersey and fly home on the airlines. I will truly miss him on the rest of my trip as he was a wonderful traveling
companion, a great co-pilot, and overall a generous, free-spirited, and virtuous person. I hope he enjoyed the trip east as much as I did. Today's flight totals: 4.4 hours, 548 miles, five states. Trip totals: 21.3 hrs, 2450 miles, 14 states.
down in the valley. The night before we decided on a flight plan which had a slew of waypoints in it, vice a more boring direct course. The multi-point plan added a few minutes, but we figured it would be nice to see some progress as the waypoints passed. Our IFR clearance was exactly as filed and was available immediately after we called clearance delivery (a first for me). When we taxied to the end of the runway, we got our takeoff clearance immediately after calling the tower (another first). The flight was just as trouble-free, as we had a 10-15 knot tailwind most of the 
way as we traveled along the Appalachian Mountains, had no turbulence, and only flew through clouds for about 30 seconds as we descended into Readington, where there was quite a variety of activity... a big, blue blimp practicing landings, a Cessna doing touch-and-goes on the crosswind turf runway, and a couple other planes coming and going. In the distance we could see New York City and New York Harbor. We finally made it to the East Coast!! We landed, fueled 
up the plane, and were happily greeted by Margie and Anna, two of Bob's sisters. After a short drive to Anna and her husband Mark's house, we walked up to the front door, on which hung a congratulatory Superman poster, and balloons waited inside. Soon more family and friends showed up and the Jersey-Italian-Jewish feast began (enough food to feed four times as many people) and was topped off by a 
delicious chocolate cake from Shop-Rite. Bob's family were so friendly, generous, lively, fun to be around, and made me feel part of the family; I would love to stay longer. Unfortunately, my tight schedule has me leaving tomorrow for the Washington, DC area, and more unfortunately, leaving Bob behind. He plans to spend the week in New Jersey and fly home on the airlines. I will truly miss him on the rest of my trip as he was a wonderful traveling 
companion, a great co-pilot, and overall a generous, free-spirited, and virtuous person. I hope he enjoyed the trip east as much as I did. Today's flight totals: 4.4 hours, 548 miles, five states. Trip totals: 21.3 hrs, 2450 miles, 14 states.
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