Cleared for Takeoff

Schedules and weather finally aligned and we made a family pilgrimage by air to Kill Devil Hills, NC to take in the Wright Brother's Memorial and the beaches of the Outer Banks on Saturday, May 26th - during Memorial Day Weekend appropriately enough.



We left home just after 1030am, flew down to First Flight Airport in the newly painted 1967 182, and had a picnic lunch at 130pm.



After that, we headed over to the beach, a short cab ride, and spent 3 hours enjoying the 63 degree water (well, the kids enjoyed the water). Luckily, the air temperature was in the high 80's.



We then strolled down the boulevard - about a 15 minute walk - and found a pizzeria. The first one on the GPS list was defunct, but the next one was perfect. After dinner, the cab picked us up to go back to the airport around 630p.

We spent almost an hour walking around the large dune which serves as the foundation for the Memorial (which looks strangely like an aviation navigation antenna). They also have a large bronze sculpture and figures capturing the history-making event.


As the sun headed for the horizon and shadows grew long near the coast, so did we, taking off runway 20 and heading northwest back to Leesburg.


We pulled into the driveway in Herndon just after 1030pm - A PERFECT DAY WITH PERFECT MEMORIES!

Well, the weather outside is frightful (cold rain - blah!), and the requests are so insightful, that since we've no place to go, could we lo get some snow, any snow?


All we want for Christmas is 2 wee feet - a blizzard! - 2 wee feet, 2 wee feet! All we want for Christmas is 2 wee feet, then we could make... a snowman!!

The Herndon Extreme was pitted against the team from Harrisonburg for the semi-final game. After a quick goal in the first half by Harrisonburg, the Extreme defense buckled down and prevented no further goals against. With very little time remaining, Harrisonburg was assessed a penalty in the box, and the Extreme scored on the penalty kick to tie the game. The game was decided on goal kicks, 3-2 in favor of Harrisonburg, despite two excellent blocks by the Extreme keeper.

The Extreme played hard and are proud of their exciting tournament performance. Meghan plans to try out for a new mini-travel league in the coming weeks. Yay Herndon - the team and the coaches did a great job!

Meghan's All-star team, the Herndon Extreme, entered the All-Star soccer tournament yesterday and played 4 25-minute mini games, 7 on 7 including goalies. The five girls not on the field (they switch at the very brief half time stoppage play and switch goals) cheered on their teammates:

"B-E-A-T, beat'em, B-U-S-T, bust'em...beat 'em, bust 'em that's our custom, come on girls let's readjust 'em!



They crushed their opponents to earn a 3-0-1 record, with 9 goals scored to only 1 goal allowed. (Scoring summary: 0-0, 2-0, 4-0, 3-1) In fact, they were pitching a shut-out until the mid point of the second half of the last game. It would turn out that they wouldn't need the bonus points to earn a number 1 seed out of the 21 teams playing. The Extreme play today at 12:30 in single elimination to advance to the Championship game at 3pm.

Well, obviously we will most likely be needing a new car sooner than I thought. The insurance adjuster still hasn't determined whether the van is totaled yet. IN the mean time, I found the following update from Chevy on the 2007 product plan... aka "project Driveway"

Coming fall 2007, you may have the opportunity to drive Equinox Fuel Cell to work, on your errands and any place you’d drive your own vehicle. Named “Project Driveway”, this is the world’s largest fuel cell vehicle market test. It will take place in metropolitan New York City, Washington, D.C. and California — areas selected in part for their differing climates as well as the different driving patterns of the people who live there.

We’ll collect input from hundreds of people on the overall experience such as performance, fueling and how they use the vehicle in their everyday life. This market test will help guide future fuel cell vehicle development at GM.

If you live in one of the three test markets and are interested in participating, we will be accepting candidates early 2007.

We'll be looking for the opportunity.

As I have indicated in casual conversation, I will not buy another conventionally powered automobile. Next year GM will produce 100 fuel-cell powered cars based upon the Equinox SUV platform. The vehicle emits heat and water as exhaust by "burning" hydrogen in its fuel-cell. I firmly believe this is the future.

Well, it's almost complete. I was a few 3" screws short, but it is done. The final inspection will take place tomorrow.





Here is a shot of the the edge board.

All of the joists are complete. Now, I Just need some 5/4X6X12's, lots of screws, and it's done.

The long awaited pics - more tomorrow. The first six holes are filled and all of the bolts are in place.


I worked on the last three posts and outer frame this evening. I need to get some more joists and and hangars. Looks like the final dimensions will be 12' 4" x 17' 6".

I have to take some pictures when it is actually light outside. I currently have the first half of the deck frame almost complete except for the joists. I'll get it all lined up and square and then set all the posts and bolt it all together. It is plausible that I can get the framing done for a Friday inspection. With that, I can install the decking over the weekend for a final inspection on Monday.