June 20, 2008

After an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel and a visit with many of the racers in the dining room we went to the airport to begin the aircraft inspection process. Much paperwork had been forwarded prior to our arriving and now they wanted to see the airplane and log books where the mechanics had signed off on any and all modifications no matter how small. We were number one, which was not necessarily a blessing as they were just gearing up for inspections, and it took forever, or what seemed like forever to get their act together and get the airplane inspected. It started with a feisty old gal (90years old who is also a crew member on one of the racing teams!) She did the static system check, which included a full power run up with Mary in the airplane. Then the plane was taxied to the hangar and unbuttoned for a look see. Mary stood around with the inspectors (required) totally stressed out that someone had their hands under the cowling and in every nook and cranny of HER airplane.
There was plenty to eat at the airport, provided by the Race organization so this served as lunch. Back at the hotel Mary and I took a 45 minute walk in the heated indoor pool (heaven). We changed and returned to the airport looking for friends who would be arriving from PA today. They were there when we arrived. We loaded them and their gear into the car and took them to the hotel. We all went out to dinner to Ted's Montana Grill. Alison had the bison stew, the rest of us ate more conventionally. We toasted each other for our accomplishment (we were all in Bozeman Montana, after all) Then a walk in town to aid digestion; back to the hotel and collapse. Another lovely day.