June 20, 2020 - Day One
Transit to Johnson City, Tennesee
This is all the stuff that goes into the plane on a trip like this:  clothes bag, flight bag, tool bag, survival equipment bag, tire changing equipment bag, tie-down gear bag, oxygen bottle, sleeping bag, air mattress, tent, etc.  And it all fits!
   


The first day of this long cross-country trip is an easy one.  I'm flying down to Johnson City, Tennessee to visit with my Mom and Sister.  It's a flight I have made many times.   To avoid the Washington DC Special Rules Restricted Airspace (SFRA), I either go around to the west -- via Frederick -- or to the east -- via St. Marys.  I usually go around the west side and follow Interstate 81 down.  But today for something different, I go around the east side. 
 

Here, I'm looking down at Bedford, Virginia and the D-Day Memorial.
   
A closer look at the D-Day Memorial.  Worth your time, if you are ever in the area.
   
Looking down at big Smith Mountain Lake in western Virginia.
   
Looking down at Twin County Airport (KHLX) in Galex Hillsville, Virginia.
   
Passing through the Appalachians.
   
Looking down at my destination, Johnson City Airport (0A4).
   
I walked around the airport while waiting for my ride to show up.  I saw this mangled Cessna 172; apparently it made a forced landing nearby and went on its back.  The pilot walked away uninjured thankfully.
   
The tail and empennage.
   
This Beechcraft Baron has been here for years.
   
The Baron is covered in bird droppings which have so hardened in the hot Tennessee sun that the aircraft skin is now like sandpaper.
   

Later in the day I gave thrill rides to Tony's sons Anthony and Nathan, and future son-in-law Tristen.  They liked their rides!

I flew 4.1 hours today in four flights:  one transit and three rides.
   
 
   
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