Grounded

We were scheduled to go flying last weekend on both Saturday and Sunday and this morning from 8am-11am as well, but every time the weather didn't cooperate. So poor Scott is stuck doing ground school inside instead of tearing up the big blue.

Overcast sky this morning.Scott studying.

Wing-Mating Ceremony in Savannah, Georgia

We left Stennis Sunday afternoon at about 2:30pm for Savannah, Georgia for the G450 wing-mating ceremony. The plane is scheduled to be completed in June, but as Scott explained, it is "born" at the wing-mating ceremony. The Gulfstream salespeople were really nice and treated us like royalty. After we arrived we went out to dinner at a very nice restaurant in downtown Savannah called Sapphire Grill, but unfortuneately we didn't get pictures. We also didn't get a picture of the hotel, but it was also very nice. All in all, quite the experience. We're not used to being so catered to!

The passengers, five altogether.

A rare look at the designated photo taker.
Some light reading for Scott.
Scott being a gracious steward to the other passengers.
Renee and the air show...33,000 feet, 552 mph!

Scott talking to Eric on the SatCom phone at 33,000 feet.

Downtown Savannah. The Cadillac Escalade that picked us up upon our arrival.

The wing-mating ceremony took place at 3am in the production area. It only took about half an hour for the crew to move the fuselage into place on top of the wings and bolt them together with six main bolts. Why 3am? It's the least busy time for the crew so having a bunch of people getting in their way taking pictures isn't as big a problem as during the day.

The fuselage getting ready to be lifted by the crane over to the wings.

Lifting it up...

Moving it into place over the wings...

The wings waiting...

The fuselage being lowered...

Almost there...

Photo op!

Scott tapping the last bolt into place. Wing mating complete.
Departing for Stennis Monday after lunch.
Scott and Jim getting ready to leave.
Scott making himself comfortable for the trip home.

Test Flight-Scott as co-pilot

Before we left for Savannah, Scott and Jim flew up to mid-Mississippi briefly to check a variation with the flight controls in the Gulfstream. Scott took off by himself and flew the whole 1/2 hour flight, but Jim took over for the landing.

Bridget getting dropped off for the day with Wendy and Sophia. Group hug, Bridget in the middle!

Jim and Scott in the Gulfstream, Scott flying.Scott banking over middle Mississippi to return to the airport.

Aquarium Visit/Mardis Gras 2008

Saturday we went downtown to meet Renee's aunt and uncle for lunch and got a chance to go to the aquarium, see Bourbon Street during Mardis Gras, and catch part of a Mardis Gras parade on Canal Street.

We caught the sting ray feeding at the aquarium. He hand-fed them some broccoli and then squirted some worms into the water.

A very large lobster.

A barracuda coming at Renee's head.
Renee petting the sting rays in the sting ray touch pool.
Albino alligator lounging in the water.
From the aquarium we met Renee's aunt and uncle at The Court of Two Sisters for a delicious lunch. The weather was perfect outside...sunny, crisp, and clear at about 65 degrees.
From there Renee and Scott walked up and down Bourbon street.

People grabbing for beads that were thrown from the balcony above.

Balcony full of bead throwers.
Krewe of Tucks parade on Canal Street.Another float...

Beads being thrown from the float at the crowd.