Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year's Eve

Thursday, 31 December 2009

Woke up to see the outside covered with snow the 2nd time this season. 3 weeks ago, on the 8 December 2009, the place was covered with snow as well but it only lasted until noon when the sun came out.



Would you be able to make out the road if you didn't know this area?

This was the picture at 3:35 pm while the above picture was taken at 8:09 am.


They are different and they are both beautiful in their own way.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A Saturday Evening

Saturday, 12 December 2009

This evening saw 2 different scenes......

When we arrived at the Walmart there was only the Coffee Memorial Blood Center vehicle, but when we came out later there was the Moore County Ambulance vehicle. Someone mumured about passing out after donating blood??? I don't know about that remark. Next the fire department vehicle arrived.



At a different location later, there was this truck that parked. While Mike was talking to the driver, I took the opportunity to take a snap of these dogs. The one on the left was oblivious of my presence. He kept his eyes at that direction. I guess he was probably looking out for its beloved master or mistress who had gone into the shop.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Wreaths Across America (2009)

Saturday, 12 December 2009

Last year, Michael was involved in the ceremony in Yuma, Arizona. This year it was at the LLano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas.

Read about the origin of the Wreaths Across America. I felt my eyes teary when Mike's played "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipe at the end of the ceremony. My heart went to those courageous young men and women who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

Major Michael Hull of the Tigershark Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol in Amarillo initiated the ceremony for the first time in Amarillo.


The CAP cadets practising their march and stands before the ceremony




Representatives from the 7 branches standing in line, waiting to receive/lay wreath for their respective branch


Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Army


Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Air Force


Honoring those veterans of the U.S. Coast Guards


Honoring U.S. Prisoners of War or listed as Missing In Action


Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Marine Corps


Honoring those veterans in the U.S. Navy


Honoring WW II veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The monument does not represent the US. Merchant Marine.


This wreath was not part of the ceremony today. It caught my interest.



The U.S. Marine Corps Firing Party



The CAP cadets






The U.S Army flag


The U.S. Air Force Flag


The U.S. Coast Guard flag


The U.S. Marine flag


The U.S. Navy flag


The Civil Air Patrol flag



Something else got my interest - the sweat jackets worn by some of the veterans at the ceremony.

The U.S. army



The U.S. Marine



The shirt of the organiation - U.S. Veterans of Foreign Affairs



Last by not least, I thought this twin CAP cadets were cute, with their mother.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Cows of the Sky, Littlefield, Texas

Saturday, 28 November 2009

If they call the pilots flying the gliders cowboys, then I will call the gliders cows!

1st time I saw gliders was at the visit at the Southwest Soaring Museum in New Mexico.
I was amazed by the different types of sailplanes and gliders there.

Today I thought I decided to tag along Mike since I have never been to Littlefield (Texas). And I am glad I did because I learnt a little more about gliders.

Littlefield Municipal Airport


Caprock Soaring Club




The glider for the afternoon flying


One of the 2 most common ways of launching the planes - winching. Can you see the wire cable? If not, click on the picture to magnify



The gliders were now in the air. This afternoon they only soared for a few minutes. That I understood because of the lack of strong thermal.


I thought it was like flying a paper kite - the paper kite representing the glider.

Another method of launching is the aerotowing, whereby the glider is launched by a powered aircraft.



Someone asked if I would like to go for a ride in the glider. Maybe I would one day.