OK, I Confess...I Miss Flying!

After graduating from the military academy in 1994, I spent the next year and a half learning to fly helicopters at lovely Fort Rucker in L.A. (Lower Alabama). I went on to fly for a total of 8 ½ years on active duty in the Army and I guess I’ve been “out” for about 7 years now. For the first 4 years I was fine, learning how to be a “civilian” and adjusting to a new corporate environment. Then about 3 years ago I really started to miss flying, so I did what any sensible 33 year old bachelor living in downtown Washington, DC would do – I bought a Harley. Always wanted one since I was a kid growing up in Wisconsin seeing them thunder down the interstate in the summertime in packs of what seemed liked hundreds of “hogs” at a time.

3 years later, my bike doesn’t get nearly as much attention as either of us would prefer, but I’ve made an effort lately to get it out even if just for short trips around town. This first picture is of my bike in front of a house I’m currently trying to sell. See, I had to make this “flying story” tie in to real estate somehow ;-)

Today, I find myself in Virginia Beach. Just checked into the hotel, opened the sliding glass doors to my balcony to see about 100 seagulls just dancing in the wind right in front of my 11th story window. I could have reached out and touched a couple of them they were so close. This picture doesn’t do the scene justice, but you should hear how loudly the waves are breaking right now! Reminds me of 4 of the best years of my life I spent living on the beach while stationed in Hawaii. I think I’ll probably have to take a dip after dinner…

You know, it probably didn’t help to see all the jets buzzing low over the highway while driving in this afternoon either. So yeah, I definitely miss flying. Need to sell a few more houses though so I can afford to buy a plane I guess. But then when would I ever ride the Harley? I know, life is pretty good when these are the problems I’m dealing with. The smell of this salty air is a great reminder of just how lucky I am!