Arkansas was...

...HOT!! It was also a lot of fun as well though. Getting to catch up with Erik and just visit and hang out was great. He is my oldest friend, going back to junior year of high school and even though the time between when we get to see each other has increased the friendship is the same. I think of him as my brother not just a friend. He has been on active duty with the Air Force Reserves since just after 9-11, when he was laid off from United Airlines, flying C-130's all over the world. It was neat to see the pictures from so many different places and hear about what Iraq and Afghanistan are like from a pilots perspective. We also got to do some hiking while I was here. The picture is from the top of Mt. Pinnacle which is in a state park outside of Little Rock. Left to right is Erik, Emily who we met while hiking, me of course and then Dave. Dave is also a 130 pilot who is here upgrading to aircraft commander. It was at least 102 degrees when we were hiking which was not fun, but the view of the lake and Little Rock from the top was great so it was worth it. Plus when we got done we went to a great little hole in the wall BBQ joint and had an outstanding meal. All in all a pretty good Saturday. I will be hitting the road shortly and heading north. I think I am going up into Indiana to a wolf park I read about then on into Michigan. I won't bother putting up more detailed or long term plans because they are subject to change. I am going to be mailing off a job application this week for a winter position at a lodge in Colorado. They need six references which is basically everyone I know so if any of you get contacted say nice things about me please. I will give more details when and if I get the job. Wish me luck though because I think it is exactly what I was hoping to find for the winter. Got to go now but Erik thanks again for putting me up for the weekend. I had a great time and will definitely try and make it to Arizona for some wake boarding. Be safe wherever you wind up next. Bye for now everybody, Jim