Woke up late and went back to the Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg Museum in Auburn Indiana. Hung out there drooling on the cars and buying stuff at the museum store. Couldn't find a Duesenberg hood ornament but found such a great ashtray that I may take up smoking just to use it. It has a figure of a (very) shapely woman with a lovely pair of ..... wings (what did you think I was going to say?), and it's titled "The spirit of achievement". It will be added to my collection of sculptures of humans with wings. Another favorite of mine is the "Winged Victory of Samothrace", also a female figure (Greek? Roman?) with a most bodacious set of wings, but unfortunately no head or arms. Seems like these things are easily lost in a few thousand years of aging. I hope I can keep my wings that long.
In the afternoon we drove the 90 minutes back to Lansing, dropped in on the Waco factory to check out the progress of the planes and spent the rest of the day working with the mechanics, detailers, painters, avionics technicians and management to finish up the many details we wanted to have done.
My plane was completely washed and fully waxed and is looking more beautiful than it has ever looked in the two years that I've owned it. Talk about a classical winged sculpture! The Greeks would have been envious. (For a great picture of this awesome airplane, check out my web site at http://www.MichaelMcCafferty.com)
Tomorrow morning we test fly our birds. I have asked Carl Dye to fly with me for a few laps around the pattern, to critique my landings, and we may even go in search of a few grass fields.... the ultimate place for one of these vintage planes. Carl was my first instructor in the Waco, and I am looking forward to soaking up his wisdom again.
It rained again most of today, and it is not looking that great for tomorrow. As soon as it clears up, tomorrow or Sunday (or whenever!), we'll fly north to Mackinaw Island on the Canadian border, and check out the historic Grand Hotel.
I have been getting some great emails from many of my friends who are receiving these messages. I really appreciate it a lot. It's good to keep in touch. One of today's emails was the unfortunate news of the death of my younger cousin Richie, from heart attack. A striking reminder that each day is a gift of extraordinary value, that our health both physical and emotional is a treasure to be nurtured. Many of you have given me your best wishes for a safe journey, and I'm grateful for your concerns. With the news of Richie's untimely passing, it seems appropriate for me to express my appreciation for your friendship, and to wish YOU a safe journey and hope that each of your days is as fulfilling as it is filled with potential.
Take care. I want to see you again soon.