Checked into the "hotel".  Well, it aint.  Its more like a 5 star resort except I've stayed at some 5 star resorts that weren't anywhere near as posh as this.  Three TVs.  Leather furniture.  One King Size bed, two doubles.  If I knew anyone in Grand Prairie, I'd have a party.  But I don't.  Two en suite bathrooms but the main one is certainly larger than the basement suite that I had rented in Kamloops.

The Alberta forestry folks wanted us to practice after we arrived yesterday.  It was decided that it was too cold and way too windy.  So, we practice today at 14:00 hours.  Heading out to breakfast with the lads and then (hopefully) to the grocery store.

Had a tough Skype with E and B last night.  Ben was visibly upset.  Hard to say goodbye with the airport fence between us too (yesterday).  E says we'll all get used to it.  The other guys seem pretty cool about the topic.  We shall see.

May 5, 2014

Off we go to CYQU.  Captain Tolson and myself in the 580, Dewayne in the 690 with Dave and Ben along to look after us.  On top at 14 Large with no sunglasses.  No flight director either.  Minus 10 degrees at 160 and hardly any heat.  Takin puffs of O2.  Snowing in CYQU when we landed.  My leg - slammed it on the runway (it was gusty, but I'm quite rusty).  Checked for wrinkles in the fuselage; couldn't find any.  Examination of gear struts reveal that they are tougher than I am.  690 delayed in CYXX so Rich and I unloaded 4000lbs worth of gear.  "The Kit".  RT is an expert fork lift driver.  I have a hernia.