Things are NEVER what they at first may seem to be

The weather was forecast to be strong VFR on the afternoon of my first flight to visit my parents solo. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules which translates to adequate visibility and cloud clearance. This particular afternoon was to be a landmark in life lessons for me. Sunny skies and light developing cumulus foretold a bumpy yet pleasant ride ahead. All flight planning was in order with every t crossed and every i dotted, along with my j's and a strange little habit of crossing or flagging my 7's and lower case q's. All the preparation in the world could not calm my jitters of embarking on my first long distance adventure in an airplane by myself. I know now how Charles Lindbergh felt even weeks before his incredible journey across the Atlantic. I was equipped with two way radio communications to air traffic control with radar assistance, VOR navigation equipment and even an old archaic gps system which I refuse to turn on unless an emergency arises. Chaz on the other hand had a compass and a vast knowledge of Celestial Navigation. How did I get to this point I asked myself? I revelled in the hard work and countless hours of daydreaming scenarios of fanciful flying adventures. Leonardo DaVinci made a quote that once you have tasted flight you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes skyward, for there you have been and there you long to be. I often wondered how he knew such things and further wondered how such a man could replicate an aerial view of his good old home town with such blazing accuracy. I think he was a dreamer (sarcasm). Oh what it would have been to be a pilot in the early days of aviation. Leather pudding bucket, oily goggles and white scarf rescuing your damsel from her most certain absence of romance whisking her and your machine off into the sunset to where I do not know. I was full of that nose to the grindstone stuff and watching airplanes fly over head with a severe look of envy. I had worked hard for this moment and it was definitely well worth it. I lacked a sense of calm but not from the typical first time jitters it was something else, something of an uneasy very unpleasant emptiness. I pulled my bird from the hangar and gave her a thorough pre-flight then climbed onto the wing and situated myself inside the tight cockpit. A glance of the checklist, a shout "clear" and a push of the button turned the prop and fired the engine. I taxied briskly to the run up area in anticipation for what was ahead paying all attention to safety of course! It was here. At the hold short line with the parking brake on and the engine barely hanging on from my idle check, I bumped the throttle in a smidge so it would run smoothly. I taxied to the runway and sat for a moment no longer worried or concerned with checklists staring pensively ahead. A flood of emotions entered my heart as I threw the coals to her blasting off leaving the ground. It wasn't fear or sadness rather a feeling of understanding. It was a beautiful perfect day. The weather was gorgeous. The airplane was flying beautifully. My family was awaiting my arrival. My life was changed forever, for until this day I lived for tomorrow. Where and when is ne'er a concern for the pleasure is in the flowers today. Apple blossoms are short lived as is our lives. I learned what romance truly is.