Day One of the Race

We are alive and well in Hot Springs, AR and the name fits. It is brutally hot.

We had a 4 AM start today so that we were checked out and ready for the final 6 AM briefing and breakfast. At 7 we were off the the airport. The rental car required fuel so we pulled into a Marathon station. The credit card machine at the pump was labeled inop so in I went, past all the police cars, which I assumed were there to get morning donuts and coffee. Wrong. Some big event had just occurred and I got booted out of there by FLPD. We found gas, got the plane loaded, pre-flighted and we were good to go with just a minor squawk. The cargo door of N4685M wasn't closing properly but Sheryl fixed it with a screwdriver.

As race team one we were the first to get started and lead the parade to the runway for run-up and takeoff. It was great to take off ahead of the pack and have the opportunity to stay ahead throughout the first leg to Waycross, GA. We flew relatively low at 3000 feet and dropped down to 1000 feet due to clouds over the Okefenokee Swamp in southern GA. Our first dive for the runway and flyby in the Bonanza with gauges redlining was a bit of a trip. Passing by a tower that reached a higher altitude than we were at was a bit intimidating, too.

Waycross hospitality was outstanding. The County Commissioner welcomed us, many of the locals greeted us with their own aviation stories, including an elderly gentleman who's mother flew air races when he was a boy, and the great homemade BBQ (what I have come to find out as being a staple in the southern states).

We overstayed our intended layover in Waycross due to the enjoyment of talking with the locals, talking with the other racers and watching many of the other planes doing their flybys and landings. Considering we had one set of instructions, there were a multitude of variations - some comical and some a bit dangerous.

Our next leg was to Tuscaloosa, AL. This airport is under the control of ATC with a tower. As we were receiving our instructions from the tower it was apparent that the poor guy trying to deal with normal traffic as well as 51 airplanes doing high speed flybys and then returning to land was more than he had bargained for. Sheryl was eyes outside making sure he didn't make a mistake that would put both us and another plan on a collision course.

We had originally hoped to stop over in Tuscaloosa and take advantage of the wonderful offer from Cousin Pam to stay with her family, but due to a somewhat rare east to west tailwind we had to push off.

Our next leg was to Hot Springs, AR. Did I mention it is really, really hot here? The outside temperature at 3000 feet was over 90 and although we didn't have an inside temperature gauge, my guess is 90+. Pieces and parts of me that "glowed" with the heat were pieces and parts I did not think capable of doing so.

The intent was to do a flyby in Hot Springs and then go on to Cameron, MO, but between the heat and fatigue of the day we decided we had enough. This was a good decision as I experienced signs of heat stroke shortly after landing.

Lots of water to drink, a shower and a good dinner set that straight. It is now 10 eastern time so after a long day, it is time to flight plan for tomorrow.