Stuck... Still... Day 13.

Well, today has been a day of mostly waiting... then checking the weather, hoping for the best, and then waiting again. We've been seeing ceilings consistently in the 200 AGL range, and visibilities somewhere around the 1/4 mile range. Not the sort of thing to go flying in!

The weather checks have been mostly an exercise in finding out--then confirming and reconfirming that--

"Yep, we are still gonna hafta wait!"

A Low that was supposed to blow over this area with speed and rapidity has suddenly changed its mind, deciding instead to come almost to a standstill right over top of us. As it sits here, it is sucking up a big, juicy stream of moist air from way down south--straight out of the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, at some point all this moisture has to fall somewhere, and of course, much of this moisture is predicted to fall over us! As this is being written there are storm warnings for overnight and tomorrow, with estimates of snowfall in the 4 inch range. Shades of the trip of '08 and a place called Xenia, Ohio!

Our hosts, Gary and Katie Carlson of Carlson Aviation have been treating us well. Gary made sure that the planes were hangared, so that they don't end up coated in the rain (which will turn to ice on contact!) that is forecasted to fall before the snow begins overnight. As we tucked the planes into bed, Gary showed us a couple of interesting projects that he has on the go... these included an L-39 jet, an SR22, and a Taylorcraft.

We have also managed (in only a day and a half!) to become regulars at a great local eatery, JoDean's Steakhouse... This restaurant has an all you can eat Lunch Buffet for $6.95, and a supper buffet for $9.95. All of the food is absolutely yummy, and it has the bonus of being very much home-cooked! Great stuff, tasty eats, all at a good price, and it comes all-you-can-eat! Aaron is thinking that he is going to start recommending that his students take long cross countries to Yankton simply for the experience of this restaurant alone!

Time was also spent exploring the Missouri River today, and the incredible dam and parks that are a part of the Lewis and Clarke expedition...

We noted that we are not the only critters waiting to get north. It was exciting to see large numbers of geese all about, although many of them looked apprehensive at the idea of getting airborne and heading north with the winds, low vis, and low ceilings. Those guys don't have a meteorologist section, and we suppose that if those guys don't want to be flying, then it is probably best that we stay put as well!

It certainly can't stay this way forever.

And of course, we are so tantalizingly close to home.

"He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
And He was seen upon the wings of the wind." II Sam. 22:11