Let's Blog!

Ahhhh, my first blog...I guess I've finally made it into the 21st century, huh?! When I inform my friends that I still don't own my own personal cell phone (Becky carries one but I just don't see the need for a second "line"), I receive astonished gasps and ridicule. I sort-of take pride in this. I feel like an outlaw in the modern world - pleased with the fact that I can't be contacted 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. As selfish as it may sound, I enjoy time to myself every so often. I know that any parent feels the same way on a regular basis!

As a quick update to those who haven't heard of my latest career move, I recently got out of the military and started my life as a "real-boy" again - as a civilian! I'll tell you that it's a wonderful sense of freedom that I haven't had for over a decade. I'm working as a government contractor doing the same job I had been doing in the Air Force - instructing new Predator pilots...exploring the joys and disappointments of the unmanned aircraft world. I was really missing being in the wild, blue expanse myself, so I opted to join a local flying club here in Vegas about a year ago. My greatest flying joy to date has been with the club when I flew a single-engine Cessna from Vegas to Montrose with a stop for gas in Page, AZ. On the climbout Eastbound from Page, I had an opportunity to take a few aerial shots of Lake Powell - isn't the emerald green water incredible!
Ty, it makes me really miss our summer trips to Powell! Can you say "future DHD get-together?" Anyway, I climbed to 11,500 as I made my way over the amazing rock formations of NE Arizona/New Mexico, turned north to pass over Nucla, and finally eeked my way over Uncompahgre Plateau before I found myself descending in a spiral over my parents' house in Montrose. Watch out below!!



You have to understand that flying an assortment of Air Force aircraft has been fun, but as the pilot driving the taxpayers' money around, the government has a way of taking quite a bit of the fun out of the whole experience. It's all about accomplishing the checklist and getting bombs/missiles on target - not on enjoying the manifest beauty of God all around. Flying by yourself in a light aircraft has a whole different flavor to it - it's only you and the big, blue sky...and the decisions you make are your own. With the engine noise and the incredible vistas all around, it makes me marvel at God's goodness, His beauty, and the blessings He has poured out upon me in my lifetime - blessings I don't deserve. Needless to say, I landed safely in Montrose where I had an awesome time with family, and I got to celebrate my niece's 1st birthday in Grand Junction. Hands down...the most rewarding mission I've ever flown.