Will Fly For Food

Back in the day when the tee shirt message was funny - "Will (your occupation here) For Food" - I had one that echoed the title of this note. Flying jobs were hard to come by but good luck and perseverance paid off and I enjoyed a remarkable career as a corporate pilot. 

The food thing was always interesting since we (the crew and I) were exposed to cuisine from all over the world. My friend Ray's description of pink stroganoff (meat undefined) was entertaining, as was a description of actual entertainment in a smoky club at Khabarovsk where the band knew only one song in English and played it over and over to honor the Americans who were there - Barry Manilow's "Feelings". I heard it once in Bangkok and the memory is seared in my mind.

Nowadays, and more to the point of this missive, I delight in pointing Woody toward venues where barbecue and accompaniments are dished out by some of the nicest people you'll find anywhere. 

This week's outing took us to the Seminole Lake Gliderport, just west of Disney World and the home of one of the nicest grass runways you'll find anywhere. Our hosts were Shawn and Connie Knickerbocker whose home and hangar are located across the runway from the glider operation. 

There were Corvette enthusiasts and their cars, airplane enthusiasts and their airplanes, and good folk in general enjoying the day and each others' company.

Click on the pictures to make them bigger.

The Tiger Lady was there and I took this picture because I like the nose art and the nifty striping on the spinner.

 And, of course, Woody was there, hanging out with his buddies on the early bird row.

The jewel of the day (in my humble, but honest, opinion) was this beautiful PT-22. You could eat off any part of it. 

Oh, and the barbecue was wonderful.

Woody and I made our way back to Bob White Field to finish a perfect day for flying in Central Florida.

It doesn't get much better.