Thunder in the Valley

Good name for this show as there was a whole lot of noise!!
We are on target this AM, get to the show and get our table set up outside while others are cleaning the plane. We are positioned next to the fence separating the airplane parking area from the runway, with our right wing actually hanging over a good bit. And right there opposite our table is a loud speaker. Great! We ascertain that we have wire cutters on board should the situation become unbearable. Then we head off to a great breakfast catered by Waffle House where we meet lots of nice folks, especially the crew of the old Berlin Airlift DC-4 parked next to us. The interior of their plane is fixed up like a museum. We ask them how they make money since they do not do rides and they say they are from New Jersey and so it is not a problem (Mafia). Of course, it is obvious what crew we (and everyone else is) as we are all wearing our identifying T-shirts except Zane and Peggy who are dressed in their vintage look pilot and stewardess gear.
Because our door is on the right, it faces the fence and we are not getting many people, especially once the people start lining up chairs along the fence and under our wings to get in the shade. One has to wind amongst them to get to us. We fret. But then around noon, they say they are going to move us in preparation for our 2:30 flight. So we pick up our tent, table, cooler, about 15 plastic totes and move away from the plane so it can be towed. Then it is positioned facing the runway, the door is now where the throngs are headed right for it. We haul all our gear over to it and set up again. The traffic picks up, but still it is the slowest show I have worked. The crowds seem to have come to watch the show.
And it is a great show with skydivers, parachute teams, areobatics of several types, the old comedy routine where Roscoe in a cop car chases a by-plane all over the place, and military jets thundering by at what looks like about 5 feet off the runway. The height of the entertainment is a by-plane flying low as two motorcycles jump over it. This really was impressive. The high was predicted at 82, but when we know it got much hotter. Thankfully there was a breeze and we had the tent to hide under, but it was still HOT! The air show people come by with water and ice for our cooler. There is also a lunch for us back in the hanger and we go in shifts to that.
Then it is time for our fly-by so we have to move the gear again.....so glad there are 9 of us to share the work but several of the guys are out pushing on the plane to keep it aligned as it is towed.
Then she finally flies while they play 40s music over the PA and the announcer tells the crowd all about her. We are enjoying the PA now that it is no longer right by our right shoulder. When they bring her back, the alignment is slightly different and so we end up moving the tent, table and gear two more times. We are feeling like those Arab nomads. At about 3PM, Zane and Peggy are overwhemed by the heat and change from their wool uniforms into more comfortable clothes. Our financial take is still not good. We have only sold about $50 in merchandise, but are nearing $300 on $3 tours (kids are free). After the performances end at 4, the crowd mostly clears out so 9 weary, sweaty warriors pack up and head for a cooler place ahead of the official 5 PM ending. The way to the motel leads us through the same intersection where we had the cooincidental meeting and this has now been dubbed "Shery's intersection."
Tonight there is a dinner and silent auction fund raiser at the airport and some folks are unsure if they want to attend. We load up and go there and find out the menu is Southwest chicken and looks only so-so. So we leave and consult a chamber of commerce dining guide, and opt for a place called Meritage that specializes in wine. One iphone becomes the GPS while another calls the restaurant and tells them of our impending arrival.
When we arrive, they have set a table for us on an upstairs balcony where we have a good view later of the super full moon of that evening. The owner, Faye, herself is there to greet and chat with us. Her daughter, the chef, comes out also and we find out what her specialties are. There is a drink on the menu called a Fayetini created for Faye. We order one and pass it around...and around. Seven different entrees were ordered and all were excellent. We had an iphone playing Frank Sinatra and a good time was had by all. The group consisted of two retired and one current American Airlines pilots, three general aviation pilots, one of whom is a mechanic with American, one retired flight attendent, one long haul trucker (friend of current pilot) and me(wife of Gene).
As we prepare for day two of the show, we are thankful for a cool front that promises a day when the high is 76. Daughter Emily and fiance, Taylor are coming today. Two of the Dallas people will catch an afternoon flight home today. I will drive home and the rest of them will go on to Shelbyville, TN to be joined by more folks for a semi-annual training school taught by Gene. Come back here later for photos. I left the camera in the car yesterday but have it today and others are emailing me pics.