Quite Possibly the Sexiest Couple You Know

Yes, dear reader, you see before you, quite possibly, the sexiest couple you know. Maybe even the sexiest couple on the planet. As you can tell, we are utterly happy and at peace with the world following our flight in the open cockpit bi-plane for my birthday. We didn't look so good during it, but that wasn't the flight's fault. We were just working with what God gave us.

I was really hoping we would look cool like Charles and Anne, but it just didn't happen. I am not sure what went wrong.

When we got there our pilot asked us what we wanted to see and I instantly said, "NC State!" He seemed a little disappointed. I just assume everyone is an NC State fan, especially a pilot with a bright red airplane who wears a bright read sweatshirt. I mean, what else was I to think? I reckon the guy was looking for an answer like, "Fall foliage," or "Duke Chapel" or "Jordan Lake." Oh well.

NC state was easy to recognize from the air because of the round classroom building on campus.

I really, really wanted a picture of Carter Findley stadium, but I was on the wrong side of the plane. 

We also flew over Jordan lake, which was just beautiful! If we had been a coupla-three weeks later, the fall color would have been beautiful. He also took us over UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke University. Duke Chapel was really pretty. 

The flying itself was probably the best I have ever experienced. I loved the whole open cockpit thing. I sat on the side with no door, because I am short and wanted to be able to see out. It was shocking how forceful the air current is when you are flying at 55-65 miles an hour! I dropped my mitten out the side accidentally and the mitten came shooting back at me and into the floor! I don't think it was possible to throw anything out! It made me glad I had reconsidered my initial decision to spit on UNC when we flew over. That would have backfired all wrong! Your dad started feeling a bit queasy toward the end of the flight, and after he saw the mitten episode, he realized there would be no good way to throw up without a very bad end! Thankfully, he made it without incident!

We took off from a grass airstrip and it was really cold while we flew. The ground temperature was probably in the 50's. I have no idea what the air temp was up high and with the wind, but at one point I tried to wipe the side of my face and I had no feeling in my face. The pilot had told us to wear three layers and a windbreaker (I wore my new NC State sweatshirt and Chris Jr's long johns), and I added to that a scarf and mittens. I was glad for all of it! And of course you saw the lovely leather helmet and goggles. I always wondered why you needed those accouterments, but I now see how necessary they are. If you did not have the helmet, the wind would pull your hair constantly (which is annoying and painful), and your head would freeze. The goggles are of course for protection, but if you didn't have them, your eyes would water constantly and your eyes and face would be chapped. Necessary though they are, they certainly get the prize for U-G-L-Y!

The pilot took a picture of us in front of the plane (a 1941 something or other) and he told us if we wanted to look "cooler" we should undo the chin straps of our helmets. I looked at your dad and laughed. I mean, really. Cooler? I don't think that's happenin.

OK, here's Anne Morrow Lindbergh again. See how cute she is. I just don't get it. I have read her books since I was in high school and I share her love of flying. It just doesn't jive that I shouldn't look cute with the helmet as well. ~sigh~

In all seriousness. I loved, LOVED the flight. It was so different from anything I have ever done. Most flying is pretty social, because you just ride and talk. Open cockpit is very singular and solitary. You can't talk at all, even by shouting, so you are left alone with your thoughts. And being up high like that with no door next to you, you see just how little everything on the ground is. I actually had thoughts like, "Who could possibly have a problem in such a small place like earth?" It feels like you hit the reset button, and for a moment, all is well with everything in your life. That's a great feeling. 

Something about flying is just so amazing to me, and the feelings I had during the flight stayed with me for days afterward. It was wonderful in every way! Thank you, Chris for arranging something I have always dreamed of doing! 

So with this parting image, I will say, "Thank your for flying the friendly skies" with me today!