Big Spring - Day 0

The trip to Big Spring Texas started at 2:45am Saturday morning.  PK drove from Vermont and slept a few hours at my place before we loaded into Randy's car, picked up John, and sleepily found our way to the airport in Boston.  After a quick stop in Dallas and another short flight over Big Spring, we arrived in Midland.

Ryan, who drove John's car and our gliders half-way across the country, did his first retrieve of the meet at our high-end LZ.  We decided to eat lunch in Midland, before continuing onto Big Spring.  We stopped at an acceptable-sounding eatery only to find it was closed.  Lacking any alternatives we asked a gentleman walking to his SUV parked in front of us.  He recommended Michael's Charcoal Grill on the north side of town.  We talked about being here for a hang gliding competition before he returned to his vehicle.  He paused before getting in, walked back, and gave us a $100 bill telling us "lunch is on us".  We gratefully tried to return the money, but he graciously refused and told us to enjoy our time in Texas.  Needless to say we were impressed.

Our generous stranger sent us to the right place.  The restaurant was totally decked out with pictures and models of aircraft of all kinds.  We were immediately at home.

The food was good and, in Ryan's case, plentiful.  Ryan's double-decker hamburger was as big as the plate.  Massive would be a fair description!

PK and Ryan marveling at the size of the hamburger.

Photo by John Beckley

We dragged our full bellies to airfield at Big Spring, registered, setup our gliders in the hanger, and talked with other arriving pilots before cleaning up for a dinner sponsored by the town of Big Spring.  Various local officials, including the mayor, welcomed us (back).  I'm continually impressed by the friendliness of the people in this town and state.