We arrived bright and early at Double Eagle airport, packed the plane full, and climbed in. It was below freezing and the engine grumbled and refused to start. But after some sweet-talking and persuading, it finally sighed into a start. The airplane was surprisingly spry on takeoff, despite the near-gross weight and the 5800 feet airport elevation. The air was smooth as ice, and just as cold. But it was a really nice day for flying and the endlessly white landscape was beautiful from above. 


Our departure airport, Double Eagle II (Albuquerque, NM)

About the time we overflew Roswell the snow disappeared and replaced by endless browny desert, dotted by oil pumps across the Texan border.  After a quick lunch and refuel break at a tiny airstrip called Skywest, we continued onto our first night's stop in Laredo, TX. 


Sunset near Laughlin, TX, overlooking the Mexican border

 It was a rather long flying day of about 7.5 hours in the air, some of it at night and in clouds. So by the time we landed, all we wanted was a shower and a meal. But that was not meant to happen, if the hotel shuttle's driver had anything to do with it. It took him over two hours to finally make the right turn and find us, by which time we were practically asleep. Nevertheless, we are happy to have finally started the trip and flown our first leg.