Family Mellmann

From Springfield Missouri, it was a short run to Owosso Oklahoma where I stayed with family for two days, catching up on all the news that's fit to print.   This morning, I left Owosso and continued the journey west from Oklahoma, through Texas, and into New Mexico.   New Mexico is a first for me; I have never been here before. Arriving in New Mexico means I have one more day of driving and one more state border to cross before arriving in Tempe AZ.  Finally arriving in Tempe means I get to free myself of the U-haul I have been dragging around since Vermont.  Oh!  And I also get to see Patrick. :) Patrick is the black circle, I am the blue dot. This is the route I have taken from Vermont to New Mexico.

Saturday was a long run from Williston, Vermont to Dayton, Ohio (Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio). After some sleep and a leisurely start, I was back on the road this morning; through Indiana, Illinois, and a good chunk of Missouri.  Thanks to a little detour (construction and a misleading sign) I was routed right through St. Louis.  The UP side is that I got to see the Arch without having to find a parking place (remember there's a trailer behind my car). Just as I passed out of St. Louis (actually, some before also) I hit some good old Midwestern stormy weather; huge raindrops, lots of water, darkness...except for the flashes of lightning, and wind.  It's that white-knuckle kind of driving where you turn the radio off and totally focus on the road. Then, just as fast as I drove into it, I drove out of it.  It was time for a gas stop and I was really ready to be done so I looked for one of those all-in-one stops; gas, food, and accommodations.  It thought...

Almost three weeks ago, Patrick loaded his car and moved to Arizona to start a new adventure.  A college graduate and a commercial pilot and flight instructor, he had all the tools to start "adulting" on his own terms.  What he didn't have was sense enough to rent a moving truck! It won't come as a surprise to most that a Honda Civic isn't really built for moving vast quantities of cargo, and Patrick is full of...cargo!  So, our garage was left filled with all the things that he wanted but couldn't fit in the Civic.  Today, we rented a trailer (5'x8') and Joerg worked his magic.  Obviously, the first thing in was the motorcycle, then two bicycles.  Since a good magician never reveals his secrets, I can't tell how it went on but the trailer is loaded wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom, front-to-back.  I didn't, but I probably should have loaded a lawn chair so I have someplace to sit while I watch Patrick unload it all. With the trailer loaded, it was ...

The yard and garden are green with the promise of color to come. But the lilac bush is in full bloom and smells fabulous so I had to bring a little bit indoors. I'm only sorry that it won't last longer.

It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (plus all the work Patrick had to put in) but we made it; one college graduate.  Patrick's official degree is Bachelor of Science Professional Pilot Technology.  Along with the degree his holds his Private and Commercial Pilot license, Instrument rating, Flight Instructor, and Multi-engine (there's more, but these are the big ones). In just under two weeks, he and his girlfriend - who will graduate with her Master's next weekend - will be headed for Arizona where he will pick up a flying job to finish out his "hours" (a minimum 1,500 hours of flight time are require to receive the Airline Transport Pilot License (aka "ATP") needed to fly for a "legacy airline" (think Delta, United, American, Luftansa, etc.).  1,000 hours are required to receive a Restricted ATP which can get you in the door of a regional airline. Patrick has been accepted as a Cadet at West Jet - the largest regional airline in the world...

We made it home and had a few hours to settle in, catch up with the kids, and do some unpacking.  Then it was off to Asiana House for a birthday sushi dinner.

It's our last day in paradise and we are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Chicago to begin boarding.  It has been a lovely week enjoying a mix of corporate events and personal time off. The weather has been beautiful and we got lots of good sun. I am very ready to be home, but I will definitely miss this weather, the sun, the beautiful flowers, and the ocean.

It's been roughly ten years since our last Mentor Graphics Platinum Club trip and this year it's called the Siemens Golden Eagle Club.  We have been getting a few days of sun, rest, and coastal walks before the corporate festivities begin…in about thirty minutes…here on the "big island" of Hawaii. Unlike past trips, we didn't need grandparents to stay with our now-adult children.  We just packed our bags and left.  Actually, one of those adult children (Patrick) is subbing for my music classes and the Spring Program while we're away.  And both of them have been tasked with duties while we're gone. Aloha!

 Patrick is mere weeks away from graduating from college.  He has achieved his private and commercial pilot licenses, earned his instrument rating, became a Certified Flight Instructor, and (by the time he graduates) will have completed his BS in Aviation. While his college student cohort was enjoying Florida or some other warm and sunny vacation spot for their Spring Break, Patrick and his friend and fellow pilot went to Florida to obtain their qualifications to become "multi-engine" pilots.  They had to do most of the class work ahead of time so that when they met with their instructors they were already knowledgeable so that most of their Florida time could be spent actually flying a multi-engine airplane. They were both successful (no surprise), but the victory didn't come easily.  The pre-Florida prep work kept them busy as they studied for this class while still maintaining their other course load (which is 21 credits for Patrick this semester) and working....