Just returned from a great weekend adventure. Kelsey, Jack and my brother-in-law Mike Fix flew down to Graham, NC to visit sister-in-law Kate Fix and her husband Jason Summers. We took off from HPN around 7am IFR and were vectored toward JFK to join V1 just over Brooklyn. ATC shuffled us around to “join the conga line headed down V1” behind a Mooney that was moving a little faster. We landed in bright sunshine 3:15 later at Burlington Airport (BUY) in North Carolina.Kate and Jason picked us up in the “Auction Van” – a 1980 Ford Econoline Camper Van they use to travel around to the auctions. We headed back to their farmhouse in Graham for some truly country activities. First, we play with the motorcycles – I ride Jason's Yamaha 250 dirt bike around the yard. Jason takes Kelsey for a ride on one of his 1960's vintage, restored BSA road bikes. Jack declines to ride.
The afternoon is spent at a most North Carolinian past time – the drag races. It is Saturday afternoon short track (1/8 mile) drag racing. Most of the cars running are modified funny cars and stock racers. There are even motorcycles running and the fastest of them all was ridden by a 16 year-old girl! We are told “the big dawgs” only run on Sundays and Thursday nights. Big Dawgs are rail cars – those are the long, thin, rear-engine cars most people picture when thinking about drag racing. The engine sounds are deafening and the air is filled with the smell of burning rubber. Awesome!
On the ride back to the farm, we stop at one of Kate's favorite auction houses. We spend some time investigating all the tables and end up bidding on a few baskets that Kate deems worthy. With our booty stored in the back of the van, it's back to the farm for a lesson in shooting a 22 rifle. Jack spends about an hour plugging holes in a soda can, and then Kelsey gives it a try. She only takes two shots – her first one is on the target, but a little off center, but her second is a bullseye. She's a natural with a gun – who knew? We finish the day with a fantastic dinner and bonfire in the backyard. On Sunday, we spend a lazy morning around the barn playing pool and sunning ourselves on the deck. The rest of the day is spent walking around downtown Chapel Hill, visiting various bookstores and old record shops.
We get back to the airport around 4pm for our flight home, but the weather is not cooperating. There is a large thunderstorm off to the west moving quickly in our direction. I am not confident we can safely get out in front of the storm, so caution causes me to wait out the storm. Within 30 minutes, the airport is engulfed in heavy winds, thunder, lighting, and pouring rain. By 5:15, the storm is moving off, so we load up and launch in a very light rain. Within a few minutes, the storm is behind us and we are on course for HPN. The trip is made under IFR and we do get bumped around passing through a few clouds, but most of the trip is in visual conditions. As is usually the case on Sunday's in the NYC metro area, we get routed all the way up to Stewart airport before being turn back south into White Plains. In spite of light tailwinds, with all the vectoring around it still takes us 3:15 to get home. Mike enjoyed his first flight with me, the kids are tired but happy about the weekend and I am glad the trip has gone pretty much as planned. A good time was had by all.
Pictures: http://jhwellington.shutterfly.com/25
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