Day 7 - Kent to Richmond Virginia (Hanover Field)

As of today I have been traveling for a week.   What a wonderful week it has been!  What an adventure!   

As I mentioned yesterday, I decided to change my flight plans due to a slow moving tropical storm affecting the southeast (see picture below).   I chose to fly to Hanover Field in Richmond, Va, directly rather than going to Wildwood NJ where the wedding would be.  I can easily drive to Wildwood, NJ - - places are a lot closer together on the East Coast than the West Coast - - and then come back to Richmond, and attend rehearsal Monday night with the Greater Richmond Chorus.

I know from California you can get stuck at a coastal airport, like Wildwood, due to coastal weather phenomena like fog.   And the visit of the Pope means that there are significant "no fly" zones that I would have needed to circumnavigate flying in and out of Wildwood, meaning I have less choices of route in case of cloudy locations.

I am a VFR pilot - - I do not fly in bad weather.  I did take the training and passed the written exam for Instrument Pilot, but then life intervened and I never took the flying test.  I don't miss it in the least.  My idea of flying is blue skies and unlimited horizons.   

When I was younger I was a little more daring, in fact my first airplane was outfitted for aerobatics and I was accomplished at the basic maneuvers, loops, rolls, spins, hammerheads, etc.  Tremendous fun!  But the concept of flying into a cloud never really appealed to me.   What if you have engine trouble and you have to look for a place to land, real quick?  As much as I trust my airplane, why take the chance?

The flight to Hanover Field was uneventful, blue skies and sun, but in the distance I could see that tropical storm creeping towards us.   Nice surprise at the airport, Karen Davis of the Greater Richmond Chorus was snapping pictures of my plane as I rolled into the parking lot.  Karen is an independent journalist who may do a story on my trip around the USA.  That would be cool!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are wedding / family related and I may not be posting.  I am keeping a close watch on the weather.   Monday night I sing with the Greater Richmond Chorus.  My planned departure is Tuesday, but if weather has not cleared by then I 'll stay until Wednesday and that gives me a chance to sing Tuesday night with the Virginia Coast Chorus - - win win!   

Thank you all for following my travels.   Your comments are very welcome.