Friday: I worked on my taxes all night , which doesn't seem like a nice start, but I'm getting a refund and I had a nice chat with my Dad.

Saturday: We had the airplane booked from noon to 6 and planned on going to Dayton. As far as Alexandria knows, this is the only airport with snacks, and it is therefore, her favorite. We flew from Murfreesboro to Madisonville where I did a so-so touch-and-go with the snow-capped Smokies looming in the east, and then headed to Dayton. There was a chance my Aunt was going to meet us here and possibly brave a ride in 63 Foxtrot. She wasn't there, and therefore missed my finest landing of the day. The snacks were there however, and so Alex was happy. We left Dayton, and headed toward McMinnville. As I flew over the Sequatchie valley, I decided to turn towards Dunlap and take a few pictures of my sister's restaurant. Some of these turned out really well. I'll get them posted soon. Leaving Dunlap I flew towards the Savage Gulf, but thought better of it and turned towards Palmer. I flew over the house were my cousin, Bill, grew up. It was immediately recognizable as it sat next to a car lot that his father owned when we were kids. We continued over Gruetli then Coalmont and then turned towards Beersheba over "The Junction", and headed to McMinnville for another touch and go before heading back to Murfreesboro. Beatiful weather, pretty good flying (if I do say so myself), combined with flying over all of these familiar places made this one of favorite flights.

Sunday: We spent Saturday night at my sister's. Roxanne was nice enough to keep the kids Sunday morning and afternoon, even though her back has bascially immobilzed her for the past several days, while we went out driving. She had help so we didn't feel too guilty. Anyway, every now and again Sue and I go exploring Grundy, Van Buren, Sequatchie and even Warren counties looking at old houses, land that is for sale and what not. We didn't find much but enjoyed the ride none the less. I discovered that the my grandparents old house is for sale. It's the only house I'd ever known the both of them to live in and I felt a twinge to see it being sold again. Doesn't seem like it should be sellable. There are so many memories there...

... and then the snow began. We cut our driving a little short and headed back to Roxanne's for the kids, ate a quick dinner and started home. I didn't realize that it was supposed to get so nasty. We had a tense ride down the mountain and into Pelham before finally making it to the intersate where the roads were better. It was a very nice snowfall. Everything was coated in white, except the roads. Perfect. I had intended to take a few pictures, but when we got up this morning, it was rapidly melting. You'll just have to trust me, it was gorgeous.

Oh, I nearly forgot. Happy Birthday brother, you're half-way to forty. Congratulations. :)