Spouse Ride

Typically, as an Air Force dependent, the chance to ride in the military jets doesn't really come along very often.  For me, this was the first time, so you know, once in 25 years certainly doesn't amount to an often-occurring opportunity.  While Andrew was out of town (flying, ironically) his squadron had a "Spouse Ride."  Woot Woot! I got to take a ride in the C-21 with several other spouses to see Niagara Falls while being flown around by Captain Prestige and Lt Howard.

We started off our ride by a powerpoint presentation (as I assume all flights start... just kidding) showing us where we were going, kind of how we were going to get there, how long the flight would take, etc. (It was basically everything they tell you at the beginning of every flight where you sit there like "yeah... just get to where it says on the ticket dude..."). We then went to the bathroom, because, well, because that's what you do when you leave the house, and then we got driven over to the hanger on a shuttle bus (Is this reminding you of the last flight you took? It should...)

We got out to the hangers and saw the planes which are cute little baby Lear Jets.  They fit 8 people (6 passengers and 2 pilots) and even have a little bathroom (or a bucket that kind of has a room around it... remember, we went to the bathroom before...).  We got the one that was newly painted and it looked so beautiful and shiny.  Shiiiiiinnnnnnnyyyy.

We got to hang out a little bit and look at the outside of the jet while the pilots got in and did, you know, whatever they do in there... We took some pictures, both individually and as a group, because that's what you do when you go on super sweet spouse rides.  It was a little chilly in that hanger, but not nearly as cold as it was outside and we were like the cool kids and got to board in the hanger then get wheeled out so that the cold wouldn't affect us.  Awww. We're like the generals of cool. 

Here's the pilots getting ready, the pilot you see in the window is Lt Howard who is fairly new to the squadron (a total vote of confidence for my safety ;)) and the one who is getting on the aircraft is Tim Prestige, a captain who has an adorable newborn at home (and when I say newborn, I mean infant cause she's a couple months old now). 

As a blogger, I am committed to being completely honest... or at least mostly honest.  Anyway, my personal honesty aside, I will tell you the truth. The plane... it's a plane.  When you fly in it, it feels like you're flying in a little plane.  Everyone is a little closer, the plane is a little louder, but uh... if I had had peanuts and a drink whose size satisfies no one, I would have been in heaven.

This is us at while we're taking off.  I sat in the back on the wing. It's probably the safest place in the plane.  I watched a show on Discovery and let me tell you, if a plane goes down, first class are all goners. I did miss my complimentary memosa... or at least the offer of one...

This is my view of the front of the plane.  Way at the front you can see our two pilots and the windshield.  On the right you can see Col. Caparella (the squadron commander)'s wife, Melissa, who is the bomb.com and on the left you see another nice guy (I am a horrible person and totally don't remember his name... maybe I should go to more squadron activities, huh?).

The flight to Niagara falls was about 45 minutes long.  We started at like 8:00 on Saturday morning, I was a little tired.  After taking a few flight pictures and once we got above the clouds, I started nodding off. Eventually I took a nice 15 minute nap which was fantastic.  Nice smooth flying and happy happy nap. 

It really was a beautiful day for flying though.  Absolutely gorgeous, almost completely clear except for a few puffy clouds.  Just gorgeous.  It was fun to watch the ground change too to see how the different states allocated their land, etc.

Here's Niagara falls! Its basically the hole separating us from the Canadians.  Thank goodness something separates them.  I know illegal Canadian immigration in barrels is still a problem, but fortunately we can pick them up and throw them back so we don't hurt the environment.  (apologies to my Canadian friends)

Oh my gosh!!! Niagara Falls!!!! It's so totally awesome!!!

Here are some extra pictures of the Falls and flight for you to enjoy.  What a beautiful day to fly. I'm so blessed to be a part of a cool squadron and the wife of a cool pilot!