2003 Nationals chronicles

[Henderson,Eric]

 Joe Lachoswki, Michelle and I set out for the Nationals at 7:10 AM on Friday morning from Cherry Hill NJ. we arrived in Muncie at 8:30PM, which was 7:30 local time. Just as we arrived there was another of those heavy rain storms that have been drenching and flooding the area for weeks. We found Tom Weedon and his trailer and headed out for a meal. Tom is here to do the scoring on the Intermediate and Advanced site. We had the customary reunion-steak-dinner and were treated to the most spectacular rainbow that I have ever seen. The colors were so strong that there was shadow, second rainbow.

We saw Troy Newman heading for cover after getting in a couple of Friday night practice flights. We then headed up Rt.69 to Marian for a good nights sleep. The next morning we drove to Fort Wayne and were late later joined by Earl Vincent who drove in from Myrtle Beach. I can't begin to tell you how gracious and accommodating the Fort Wayne boys were. Instead of feeling like intruders on their site we felt like honored guests. Bob! you have a great club facility - hope to see you there next year.

In the evening we headed back to Muncie and participated in my favorite part of the Nationals - The reunions. It is just the greatest experience to see people with whom you have been bonded by this great sport of ours. We first ran into Dorothy and Roy Speights, then Ken Velez, Jim Woodward and so on. Gary Harris was there with the North and South Carolina's crowd. Many of us headed off for yet another steak dinner!!!

The news is that all three sites are very flyable. Only one perimeter road is closed. Saturday had perfect practice weather and last but not least Chip is here with the Biplane.. (There goes my chance to break 900!)

Tomorrow is judging-training for some, and practice for most. We will head down there early to get some time in on the hard top. Most of the folks mentioned are in trailers, RV's or tents. Quiet a big community building up there this year..

I'll let others report the scores etc, and I will just drop you all a line or two with any news etc.

I hope it is not too tough not being here.

Nite all....

Eric
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