St. Louis or Bust - October 12, 2002

The McGraths (Mike, Kathy and Owen) and the Kirwans (Jody, Kelly and Jack) decided to spend a relaxing weekend in St. Louis.  The Lance was ready, but the weather was not - low IFR conditions surrounded Bowman Field.

After a careful review of the weather, with an emphasis on options in case something went wrong during our early morning IFR departure, we loaded the Lance and requested our clearance.  We filed for and received direct GPS to Spirit of St. Louis (KSUS) cruising at 6000 feet (which put us just inside the wet, bumpy clouds).

Mike suggested we ask for wrong-way 7 (7000 feet westbound), and the controllers quickly obliged.  We were treated with a view few earthbound individuals ever experience - being on top of the world with unlimited visibility in smooth air ...

Owen McGrath

and Jack Kirwan

were just enjoying the ride while Kathy McGrath and Kelly Kirwan (that's Jack Kirwan making a cameo) were trying to behave themselves. 

Jody Kirwan took a nap

while Mike McGrath made sure no one messed with the autopilot.

After landing, we took a trip to the excellent (and free) St. Louis zoo ...

but the boys needed a quick water break.

That night, a cold front moved through and the temperature fell dramatically.  A visit to the arch the next morning with a picture of the McGraths ...

and the Kirwans ...

and then we returned home.

What an awesome trip!