Day 2 - smells like cows

Last night, well after sunset, I was flying a VOR/DME IFR approach into Amarillo class C airport. In a normal VFR approach, you see the runway from miles away and fly visually until touchdown. In an IFR VOR/DME approach, you see nothing. Your entire world becomes a handful of instruments, until you are about 300 feet above the runway. 10-15 minutes of complete darkness. Your faith lies in your instruments, and a sectional chart showing the field altitude (in this case nearly 4000 feet above sea level).

It was a pretty standard IFR approach, until out of nowhere it hit me like an 18 wheeler. The unquestionable, sweet smell of fresh cow shit. I quickly double checked my altimeter, knowing I was getting very close to the ground.  It read 4000 feet. The runway elevation shown at 3,607', less than 400 feet below me. I took off the hood,  look through the windshield, and see the beautiful runway lights in front of me. We're in texas. Cow country.

We touched down and taxied down the giant, 150' wide, 8000' long runway and asked the tower for progressive taxi instructions to our FBO. A few minutes later, in the midst of this giant airport, my landing light went out. Complete darkness. We stopped.

Tower radios, "Skyhawk 48 Golf your landing light appears to have gone out."

I respond: "Affirmative. We're going to an alternate light source, stand by."

Tyler pulls out a handy flash light, pops out the window, and shines it through the prop at the black tarmac infront of us. "Tower, 4-8 continuing taxi, left turn on Papa."

In the midst of this light chaos, we missed the turn and ended up at the hold-short line for runway 31. Tower came back, still very polite. "48 Golf Hold short runway 31. There is a regional jet behind you, taxiing down Papa. 180 and follow."

I do a swift 180 and follow the giant Boeing jet to our destination where we were greeted by friendly 24-hour FBO staff. Another exciting flight.

Texas smells like cow shit, and there is snow everywhere. Giant, 6' snow banks. They had one of their record snowfalls of all time just a few days ago. Snow is a rare sighting here.

This morning, we're leaving the South behind and starting to head North. It's going to be really cold. Good for engine performance, not so good for human performance. I will try to post more frequently.

Yesterday, we spent a few hours yesterday in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico.  My good friend Emily Robertson picked us up at the airport. Here's a shot of the final approach of the santa fe regional airport runway.

And a sweet shot of a parking spot next to some private jets.