Finally on the move

Valentine's Day, languishing at the airport in Laredo waiting for the fog to burn off. Yawn. Yawn. One by one the planes that did not leave yesterday, leave today. Finally at 1PM, they decide that maybe IFR is not so bad after all and about 30 minutes later we launch. We are above the clouds in the sunlight in 5 minutes. Blessedly it is not cold. In fact, we are shedding jackets. There are just four of us so we are all in the cockpit for most of the flight.
At San Antonio, the clouds go away and we can see the ground and landmarks from then on. We have a hefty tail wind and so the trip is shortened. We are happy to see the hangers of Alliance ahead of us. No on is happier than the Flagship. Though a winter in Florida is great, she is glad to be home. Jeff has arrived at Alliance about 20 minutes ahead of us and meets us with a cart to transport us and our luggage. He whisks us out to the front where Lynn Buffington awaits and soon we are off to a Mexican restaurant and margaritas.
A quick call to my cousin Betty in the car enroute establishes that they had no special plans for Valentines and they are soon part of the group. Ken flew in Viet Nam, as did Jake and Buff, so the war stories were soon flying.
At last we are delivered to Jake's condo in Ft. Worth, where the view is spectacular. There are some new fushia rope lights outlining buildings since our last visit. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired and ready to get home to my own bed. On Wednesday Jake delivers us to DFW ans we are soon on a jet for home. New neighbor, Carrie Oakes, picks us up in our car and we are homeward bound. Carrie also thoughtfully provides a generous portion of lasagna for our supper. We are blessed and so glad to be in our own beds.
Last photo is of the red carpet donated by Stuart Jet Center so the Flagship can truly be a first class operation. This should cut down on debris tracked in to the plane. Alas, although Dennis washed the floor cloths while in Florida, they are pretty dirty from our soppy trip across the country.
Footnote: Learned with shock tonight that Dennis Pugsley, who was perhaps the least prepared for the cold in Laredo, is in the hospital with double pneumonia. Get well quick, Dennis!