Back in the Saddle

I flew again, after my frustrating weather and sickness hiatus. Out of habit, as I was gathering the twenty random articles I always have to take with me (logbook, medical certificate, fuel strainer, sectional.....) I started getting nervous out of pure habit. It was a brilliant, blue day, perfect for flying, with no known adverse conditions or flight restrictions in the area. I did call flight service to ask about the Olympics flight restriction, and the briefer made it clear to me that he didn't want to read a 30 page document over the phone, and the Olympic thing wouldn't affect me.

I was out on the ramp preflighting my favorite Cessna, '49S, when a big jet roared off the big runway, immersing the entire airport in the sound of its engines at the moment of liftoff. I turned around to watch the landing gear fold in to the belly as it rose at an incredibly steep angle and suddenly remembered why I love flying.

I did three takeoffs and landings to a full stop. They were a bit sloppy, but good enough to convince me that I haven't forgotten to much. Again. As soon as I can I'm gonna try to fly over to Bremerton and eat at the diner there. After Bremerton...my next goal is getting to Hoquiam, and then a day trip to Portland.

I'm not sure why I care. None of this is helping me meet people. And I have yet to find a recreational volleyball thing where you can just show up and play some volleyball. People in this area seem obsessed with "leagues" where you are part of a set team and are probably supposed to show up with some regularity. I don't want to make a commitment to drive to some gym every week. I want to show up somewhere and spike a little white ball and meet volleyball girls. I am starting to suspect all of these volleyball leagues are just ways to force people to join a gym. There's a gym in my apartment. I kind of wish it was a volleyball court.