The End
This entry was posted on Sat, 03 Mar 2007 20:07:00 GMT and is filed under uncategorized.
(Until the next trip that is.)
The last chapter of our adventure began with an early taxi ride to the airport. The paperwork for our last country exit was incredibly smooth sailing and for the first time we weren't charged any airport fees. Although a "tip" was suggested (but we failed to take the hint). With a strong wind on our tail, we dashed to the border to be reunited with Laredo's friendly customs officers.
Crossing the border—south of the river is Mexico and at the top the Laredo airport is visible.
Our pessimistic expectations were met when our customs officer said, "you better come inside, this could take a while". We were left in a large, empty waiting area, while the officers were searching the manual for Eitan's "special" needs. Finally by lunch time they made up some paperwork and let us go—we were officially back in the land of the free and free to fly!
Unfortunately, it was now too late and too far to fly all the way back to Albuquerque. So we settled for Midland, Texas, which doesn't sound like much, but boasts the childhood home of George W Bush. We wanted to sleep in it, but eventually stayed at a Days Inn (the fanciest hotel we'd seen in two months). And for once we didn't have to get to the airport in a rush the next morning. In fact, we got a bit delayed by the very windy and hazy weather. But by 2pm we were homeward bound. And after three hours of turbulence, the familiar sight of Albuquerque came into view.
We touched down at about 5pm, very excited and relieved to be back (but shocked by the cold). Amazing to think that we just spent two entire months traveling. This little Cherokee carried us 5,511 nautical miles (65 flight hours altogether) without fail. It can now receive the rest it deserves, until the urge to fly tickles us again.
