When you think about spending time at the airport, I doubt anything comes to mind like the afternoon we had today. There were no restaurants, bars, or duty free shops. No security, no metal detectors, no Hare Krishnas. This is a small, one trick operation, which also proved to be a fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
It all started this morning when Jacks started saying that he wanted to go to the airport. What? The airport? Where did he get this idea? He claimed that all of his friends (he managed to list 3 of them) had been to the airport, and, "Everyone goes to the airport, Mommy." This last comment was complete with an obligatory eye roll.
Ok, you all know that we live in Auburn. If we want to go anywhere by air, we have to drive to Atlanta. Our airport is simply a formality. A series of tiny airplane hangars and a few landing strips to accommodate private and courier planes. Any jets that might go in and out of our airport are very small, like fit in a two car garage small. So, the thought of spending time at our airport never once crossed my mind. We have only been there once - for a birthday party in a hangar.
I quickly sent a text to a dear friend of mine whose husband has a plane at that airport (this plane is so small it has its own parachute - not like a parachute for the passengers, a parachute for the whole plane). She said it is fine to go on over there and hang out - have fun! Ok....here we go.
Remember that old TV show "Wings"? That airport is HUGE compared to the Robert G. Pitts Airport. We walked in to a sitting area that reminded me of the DMV, only with better snack machines. We walked past a receptionist who was very busy on her cell phone, and she waved us off when we asked if it would be okay if we just....... Apparently, she wasn't worried. So we walked right out on to the nearest air strip, where there was a small group of college aged boys playing football.
There was a small fleet of little planes, all of which were emblazoned with an orange and blue AU on the tail. I am thinking that those might be the learning planes - surely you can take flying lessons there. There isn't much else going on. In the distance we watched a little plane circling the area, then it would touch down on a far off runway, only to take off again - we guessed it was someone getting in their flying hours.
While we were there, a few of the private planes took off or were about to. One couple was loading up their plane while it was carefully inspected by someone who looked very important with a clipboard. Their send off crew was apparently the football players on the runway. Another couple climbed right into their tiny, single engine propeller plane, and after 3 or 4 attempts to get it cranked, they taxied off into the distance before taking off. At that point, I commented to Joe that I would get in one of those planes over my dead, cold body, and the hissy fit I would pitch prior to being forced into one would be epic and unforgettable by all.
A nice girl who was about to get on a teeny, tiny plane (and she didn't appear to be medicated) was nice enough to take a family picture of us.
It all started this morning when Jacks started saying that he wanted to go to the airport. What? The airport? Where did he get this idea? He claimed that all of his friends (he managed to list 3 of them) had been to the airport, and, "Everyone goes to the airport, Mommy." This last comment was complete with an obligatory eye roll.
Ok, you all know that we live in Auburn. If we want to go anywhere by air, we have to drive to Atlanta. Our airport is simply a formality. A series of tiny airplane hangars and a few landing strips to accommodate private and courier planes. Any jets that might go in and out of our airport are very small, like fit in a two car garage small. So, the thought of spending time at our airport never once crossed my mind. We have only been there once - for a birthday party in a hangar.
I quickly sent a text to a dear friend of mine whose husband has a plane at that airport (this plane is so small it has its own parachute - not like a parachute for the passengers, a parachute for the whole plane). She said it is fine to go on over there and hang out - have fun! Ok....here we go.
Remember that old TV show "Wings"? That airport is HUGE compared to the Robert G. Pitts Airport. We walked in to a sitting area that reminded me of the DMV, only with better snack machines. We walked past a receptionist who was very busy on her cell phone, and she waved us off when we asked if it would be okay if we just....... Apparently, she wasn't worried. So we walked right out on to the nearest air strip, where there was a small group of college aged boys playing football.
There was a small fleet of little planes, all of which were emblazoned with an orange and blue AU on the tail. I am thinking that those might be the learning planes - surely you can take flying lessons there. There isn't much else going on. In the distance we watched a little plane circling the area, then it would touch down on a far off runway, only to take off again - we guessed it was someone getting in their flying hours.
While we were there, a few of the private planes took off or were about to. One couple was loading up their plane while it was carefully inspected by someone who looked very important with a clipboard. Their send off crew was apparently the football players on the runway. Another couple climbed right into their tiny, single engine propeller plane, and after 3 or 4 attempts to get it cranked, they taxied off into the distance before taking off. At that point, I commented to Joe that I would get in one of those planes over my dead, cold body, and the hissy fit I would pitch prior to being forced into one would be epic and unforgettable by all.
A nice girl who was about to get on a teeny, tiny plane (and she didn't appear to be medicated) was nice enough to take a family picture of us.
My airport story isn't all that interesting, and there doesn't seem to be a point to it, but it was a great day. We had so much fun, and there was lots of room for a little guy to run and run and run and scream. I will also add that they are currently building a much larger (but still not large) and modern facility on the other side of the property which will accommodate a lot more air travel. I anticipate many more trips to the airport in our future.
2 comments:
That old airport looks exactly the same as it did the last time I was out there, in 1990-something. And then I thought it hadn't changed in years. Time stands still there.
Not sure if we made Jacks's list - but Cooper is Definitely one of his friends who regularly goes to the airport. My dad started taking him about a year ago, and now he even wants us to drive to school via the airport. His idea of a fun afternoon is to go to 'the airport and the playground and the zoo.' Which, of course, we do at least weekly. HA!
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