We must all have anchors in our lives.Things that keep us in touch with just exactly who we are. Mine are my Dad, Jim S., AA- my way of life that I have chosen, my dear friends, touching the clouds, sunsets, and God. Without them, we just drift thru life without any purpose. What a waste of energy that would be. And an empty one too. Seize the day !

I'm leaving, on a jet plane, but I do know when I will be back. On the 12th is the date to come back, right now. With this business tho', things change often. Really looking forward to working with the folks in New Jersey again for a while. Post from the road !

I wanted to clarify my last couple of posts. I do not dislike Elvis. I had a friend tell me that I pounded him pretty hard with them. It was not my intention. Back in the day, I loved his music alot. I still like some of them, most of them even. He had a great style, magnatizem, voice, and really broke a lot of boundaries. I grew up going to saturday matinees watching his movies. So, I really did like him. However, my negative feeling toward him now, is not at him. Its at his family, and the vultures doing what they have done. I know, if you can make a buck off of his memory, its the american way. I dont have to like it, or approve of it. Not my place. Glad for them. However, they wont ever get a penny from me for going thru a legends old stuff, and seeing all the past life of his.
If you are a die hard fan, go for it. What ever makes you happy. Just thought I would explain my posts.

This is the gate to the Main house that Elvis Presley lived in while his final days. I was here back in the late 70's, and nothing has changed on this side of the street since. People have written on this wall ever since it was erected.
Now, across the street is where all the action is. They have an "Elvis" museum, theme park, hotel, airliners, rides, shuttles, etc..... all yours for $$$$$$. Rent the DVD and save yourself some money. Hope this cures any curiousity that any of might have about what Graceland Looks like.
Sorry, you have to pay to get in to see the "Jungle Room", so no pictures inside.
Saving my money for my trip to New Jersey next week.
Thank you, thank you very much--(in my best Elvis voice, haha).

The left side of the gate,,, ooooohhhh ahhhhhh.

The right gate, ohhhh ahhhhh

There is a song in here somewhere !

They are still coming here in droves. The security guard said that he is probably making more money now, than when he was alive.

They have put both of the airplanes that Elvis flew in, at the Graceland park. Ohhh, ahhhh, haha

I was in Jacksonville, Florida today. At about 7am, after 2 hours of troubleshooting, they decided too many things were wrong at this time to test. They released me to head home. I am NOT a morning person, so I went back to the room, and grabbed another 3 hours sack time. Got up and checked out about noon. I knew if I left right then, that I would be right in the middle of the Atlanta rush hour traffic. So, before I headed home,,,,, I took a small 5 mile detour to at least get to see the beach before I left, and make a couple of phone calls. I was surprise the beach was so empty during the summer, however it is a weekday. I am heading to Memphis tomorrow afternoon, for one day testing. By anyluck, I should be home thursday night.

Please notice the shore here. There was---0---seashells. I asked someone about it, and they explained it a bit to me. Just off shore, there is probably an underwater shelf, that catchs all of the debris out there, before any of them gets to the shore. People like me can walk the entire beach without stepping on anything. I dont go barefooted very much, and I'm a real tenderfoot. It was a very nice and clean beach!

Was a beautiful day at the beach, for most people, some of us had to drive home 8 hours. Was a nice break before heading home.

Anyone need a shiney new body board? or a bikini?? Looked like a kewl store----Love the name! ! ! ~~~Waves~~~

I am in Jacksonville, Florida for however long they need me here. Looking forward to seeing what great adventure awaits me this week. The doctor was in today, and she told me it was only broncitius( or how ever your spell it). SO, I got some medicine now, and looking forward to what ever comes my way. Hope to get some interesting pics to share ! Gentle breezes !

If you ever find yourself in a landing pattern with Ollie Gregory on his rigid wing(the Mothership), you can rest assured, there is no problems that will arise because of him.
I missed a great day of flying today because I was up all night. I wont ever fly unless I am 100%, and I was very far from that today. Hope my doctor, Dr. Cindy Simmons is open on mondays. It was not funn at all seeing others getting to cloud base, and I was sitting below coughing my head off, and congested. Live to fly another day.

Lee was taking her 3td test flight here on a new Sport 2. Matt was on hand to help her launch, while Greg Heckman( who also flys a Sport 2) observes her launch for future reference. Stuff like if she popped her nose, didnt commit to the launch run, etc.... That kind of information is invaluable for a pilots growth. She did a great job on the new glider. She is just one of the many women hang glider pilots that we have around here. I noticed in the LZ, and up top, that Greg was a valuable source of information for her. Making sure she understood all about the set up, breaking it down properly, getting it in the bag correctly as not to create any wrinkles in the sail, how it handles in the air,etc... He is also one of the best pilots/ volleyball players around here. Need any help?? You can ask Matt, Christian, Greg, or just about any of the local pilots around here, and they are always happy to help out.

Matt Tabor helping another pilot off yesterday. Alot of welcomed spectators were looking on with excitment.

This is our ISP. Internet service provider. I have always wondered how we recieved such a good signal in the valley. Nice to know that Enrique, with an antenna on his head, is on the job. So much for my bandwidth. Just joking here! ! !

Ellen Ireland is a local singer that came out to one of our saturday night partys. She regularly sings the National Anthem for the Chattanooga Lookouts. She also performs at a couple local clubs in Chattanooga. Check out her pages for more information on her. Great singing voice. Here you see her taking a tandem flight with Dan Zink at the the controls, doing what WE do best, and that is introduce people to the love of flying.
www.ellenireland.com is her website.
This is her MySpace page - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=29321390

This is a different kind of night for me. The mood, I mean. Feelings of so much graditude just flooding in. Also maybe a little loneliness, sadness, peace and serenity. It's raining right now, and its kind of late. And during my evening meditational, I thought why not just write it down and share it with others that like my blog. A comment was made earlier to me, you always put alot of stuff and pictures on your blog about others, but not much at all about you. Basically, I am not a mushy, giving of myself to others type of person. But the mood is different right now. So, this may bore you, so you might want to check back in a couple of days and skip this part.
The biggest thing in my life that I am grateful for right now is my sobriety. I am a grateful recovered alcoholic of almost 12 years. Next week--the 28th is my sobriety birthday. I've never said this on my posts, and I feel that it has been negleted for way to long. Now you know. At some other point, I may go into all the gory details, but it isnt that kind of mood right now.
The topic that I was meditating on tonight before I was getting ready for bed, was Love. In every sense of the word. There is so many levels, and different facets of love it is almost indescribable. But, I am going to give some examples and maybe I can carry you on the journey that I just went thru.
Love to me is---I really hope you can see just exactly what I am trying to show here, would hate to sound like an idiot.

Love is:
Hearing a baby's laughter
the smell of fresh mowed grass
your favorite song you havent heard in a long time
a no holds barred hug from a dear friend
A look in a buddies that is as close as a brothers eyes, as you shake his hands after not seeing him for months
making a child just smile from ear to ear
dancing with a good looking woman, and to feel the rythm of the music between you
the sound of your Dad's voice
a cry of an eagle
the call of a wolf in the distance
the waves crashing on shore
doing something anonomiously
leaving a note somewhere unexpected for someone special to find
watching a pretty woman in a black dress that takes your breath away just walk on by, without saying what your thinking
holding someones hand, just to reassure them everythings going to be okay
encouraging someone that is having a tough time at something, and know that it helped
cooking a great meal, and being able to share it with good friends
touching the bottom of a cloud and feeling the mist on your face
chasing a red-tailed hawk at 5,000 feet
being top of the stack and other pilots are trying to get up to you
playing for hours on the piano
getting a straight flush at 40-1 odds
watching a father and young son share time together
opening a cage, and letting a bird out for a while
a sonic strawberry milkshake
a inch thick ribeye steak, cooked just the way you like it
sitting around a bonfire, sharing stories with your friends
the look on someones face when you do something for them that is totally unexpected
the satisfaction after a very hard day at work, and you know you gave it your all, and accomplished all that your set out to do
snuggling while the rain is drumming on the metal roof
laughing so hard that you cant control yourself
being able to make your father proud of you
being an excellent employee
always giving more than you could possible ever take
never forgetting where you come from, and who you use to be, and knowing you are a little better than that now
loving someone so much that it hurts to be away from them
Loving someone enough to let them go their own path
and most importantly, My relationship with God, as I understand Him.

These are just some of the things that love means to me
Two sets of footprints in the sand

Betty Davis took some pictures, and I am posting these two on here for her. She wanted all of Les' friends that were in attendance, and the ones that couldn't be here, to see them. Les' Memorial Service took place on June 17th. Joel and Dave flew the ultralights, Terry Presley flew the tri-plane, Mike and Tina were in the trike and Neal Harris and Judy flew in Les' windstar. They were flying the "Missing Man" formation when Judy released her ashes.

The Planes getting ready for departure. She had alot of friends all over the world. I wish I would have gotten to know her better in the little time that I knew her.

These ladies are the Player services supervisors, Wendy and Joie. As a diamond member, once you walk thru the door everything in the restaurant & bar are complimentary. I don't know what I did to merit becoming a Diamond Member, other than being a great player(that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!)
They really make you feel welcomed and important. I posted these pictures for Wendy. We were talking, and she said that she had tried to take some pictures a day or so ago, yet they had turned out too dark. I was more than happy to take these for them since they made me feel special here. If she would contacted me, and these are some that she likes, I will be happy to send her a disk of all of the pictures that I took, so that she could use them for what ever promotions that she needs them for. Thanks ladies. Bally's is a really nice place to Visit, and have some funn!

This is the view from the end of the bar. The boardwalk here at Atlantic City is totallly different from the other boardwalks I have been too. There isnt really any Carnie" atmosphere here. It's all business. You can see the other casinos in the background. You can enter most of them right off of it.

Another View from the 6th floor.

The bar was a very classy area, for those that drink. Glad and proud to say I dont do that kind of stuff anymore ! Thanks Jim!

It was a slow time at the bar, when I took these shots. Guess everyone was downstairs.

This at the end of the bar, over looking the boardwalk and ocean.

Was really a relaxing area.

The buffet food is prepared by some really good chefs. All different kind of foods. I had the short ribs, mash potatoes, a great salad, and some dessert I can even pronounce, but it was scruptious.

You should be able to tell just how deep, and large this room is. Hope you can feel the warmth created also. It is a totally different atmosphere here, than downstairs.

Wish I had brought my music with me. I would have loved to sit here and just play for a couple of hours after the great meal that I just had.

Very relaxing,comfortable area here with the fireplaces, and leather couches. Could be used as a meeting area also I'm sure.

Mouse Story ...
A mouse looked through the
crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered -
he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,
the mouse proclaimed the
warning.
"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap
in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and
said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you
but it is of no consequence to me.
I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a
mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said,
"I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse,
but there is nothing I can do about it but pray.
Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a
mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse.
I'm sorry for you,
but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected,
to face the farmer's mousetrap-- alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house --
like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the
darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake
whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her
to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup,
so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's
main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came
to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.
So many people came for her funeral, the farmer
had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't
concern you,
remember -- when one of us is threatened,
we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.
We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
SEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER HELPED YOU OUT
AND LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.
REMEMBER:
EACH OF US IS A VITAL
THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.
One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.

I am posting these for the Old Car enthusiasts that look at this, especially Terry Presley. I know he will be drooling when I send these to him! Hope you like them as well.

What a COOL design ! Very styling !

This is what happens to cheats & thieves in Atlantic City.
I am up here again this week for work during the day. However, a short road trip was necessary last night ! While I was observing some 4 card poker( cough ), my buddy Ron, was walking around seeing the sites. He happen upon this minor altercation. The security guards were pounding him, and they didnt seem to care when they saw him taking this with his camera phone. Notice the calm cool guy leaning against the door watching the floor show, hahaha! News at 11

Another one of those sneaky towers. They dont tell us what kind of towers they are when we test them. So, if the address dont take you to them, you have to visually find them to get into different sectors. This was another funn one! ! not. However, it was a beautiful day here, and of course the wind was blowing out of the NW, which made me miss the mountain, and some air time. But hopefully, I will be back home on saturday, with the job completed up here.

I know now why they put floation devices under our seats on this flight. I dont come in this close to obstructions/or water, when I'm landing,,,, most of the time, lol.

I am a hang glider pilot as much of you know. So when this pilot went into the base of his approach, and I was looking almost straight down from my window,,, I was, mmm Impressed? haha!

There is a great view flying in to Philadelphia international. This is just one of them.

I thought this was an interesting view of the mouth of this river.

I'm sure there are some towers down there, somewhere, haha!!

I am hopping a plane heading back to New Jersey. Only suppose to be gone for a week. Operative word----week(singular/Cingular). If there is anything worth seeing up there, will post & chat from the road. Seize the day ! Waves~~~~

If you englarge this one, you can barely see the Space station as it goes by us. Wish that it would have been brighter, to get a better picture, but hey, I take what I can get ! At least I got it. It to the right and up of the moon. About 2 o'clock. It was only in sight for about 45 seconds, then it was gone!

Well, it was a fly day for me also----Wooohooo! It is saturday night, and its at the end of the day. If you enlarge this picture, you can see all of the vehicles around the pavillion for the party. Here you can also see the swimming pool, volleyball courts, the hangers, most of the cabins, condos, RVs and other gliders. The air is soo smooth at this time of the day, it's almost boring, well, almost, hehe. The menu for tonight: Grilled boneless chickent breast, a great salad, baked potatoes, and my favorite---some great desserts. Thanks goes to Mark for the grill duty, and of course----Doris. She rocks!

It was a towing kind of day for some students and first timers. This is Dan Zink explaining to his passenger what is fixing to transpire. You also see the ground person which is responsible for the smooth and safe operations during the towing procedure. There is also a single long time pilot waiting his turn for the rope to tow up.

Here's Eric taking off for one of the discovery flights to hang gliding. See the next picture.

This is Eric, one of our tandem pilots, taking a 12 years old girl for her first tandem flight. Should have seen the huge smile on her face after landing ! Will take days to remove it, haha!

It was a really cool, and beautiful night here at our saturday night party. All diffreent kinds of activities were going on. Frizbee was just one of them. The Moon was gorgious !

With it being July 4th, it is mandatory to have fireworks. And here at Lookout Mtn. Flight park, we also have another tradition----the War. On one side of the LZ (landing zone), you have Scott's base( his van), and then you have the ever illusive Golf Cart, manned by "Kid" Dave Miller and company. Carl added his base ( his truck) as you can see in some of the pictures. These guys are brutal ! ! What a blast it was to watch and cheer for whom ever got the closest shot at the time, haha! With the rain here earlier, there was no chance of anything catching on fire, with the exception of the bases ! It was better than watching tv ! ! !
Lee Greenwood does a great job with this song. The laser video at the bottom of this page is worth a watch. Amazing what they can do with lasers nowdays.

There is a golf cart scurring around in the darkness somewhere returning fire. It is hilarious to watch. It is constantly on the move as not to be hit. You can hear it, but you cant see it until, all of a sudden, out of the darkness--it fires.

They had the distance amazingly close of some of the shots ! Comes with years of practice, I suppose.

Just a bit overhead and off the mark on this one. Still a great shot I think.