Ice and Airports...Bad Mix

I spent the night at the Embassy Hotel BWI last night. We got socked with a wicked ice storm that coated the planes and prevented any departures. Did you know that planes can NOT take off in ice...but snow is ok for departure? Most people don't know that little fact, so I thought I would share it with all who might google the word, Ice. I'm currently working a Miami Air flight that is on a mechanical delay. The HF radio is inoperative and therefore, they can not cross the North Atlantic. In addition to that problem, our destination weather is suffering from high winds and that might put the passengers back into the hotels for a second night. Busy couple of days...I just hope I'll be home tonight for Valentines. It would be nice to spend that time with my wife instead of airplanes.

This past weekend, Sheri and I went up to CT between all of my flights (approx 24 hours) to scatter my Grandmother's ashes along Walnut Beach in Milford, CT. Dorothy Newman was a strong women with a lot of spunk. She had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. I'll miss her dearly and as much as it hurt to watch her ashes fall along the cold wet sand, I know her soul was soaring as her remains joined the remains of all of her friends who have past before her. She always talked about being scattered there....she got her wish. It was a beautiful close and small family moment...perfect. My mother did exactly what her mother wanted her to do. I know it was hard for my mom and I give her a lot of credit for how well she's handled the pain that I know she is feeling. In a teary sentence my mom said to me...."I don't have a mommy anymore." Heartbreaking!

I now only have 2 days off until March...a good problem to have. The temps are supposed to rise again next week....I'm going to see if I can't get back in the Cessna cockpit and start flying again.