Week 1 in Wichita

Ola from Wichita!  It's been a busy week down here with lots of testing going on.  Today (Monday) was a day off for us so that the airplane could be modified for some tests.  Plus, some of us had reached the maximum number of days in a row that could be worked according to the customer's company policy for flight operations.  That was good with me - I needed a break.

For the most part, the time down here has been:

• Wake up and get breakfast in the hotel
• Head to the customer's facility for pre-flight briefing
• Wait for the airplane to be ready
• Get on-board and start testing (using mid/late afternoon)
• Test until someone reaches their 12 hrs max duty day
• Post test briefing
• Post test briefing #2 with others in Canada
• Go to the hotel
• Go to bed
• Repeat

Here are some pictures that I can share from some of the flights:

On final approach

Cruising at 41,000 ft

There have been many long days.  So long that Lola was no longer awake to talk. 

Towards the end of last week, some individuals from Transport Canada were down here to witness some tests.  One the weekend, we were fortunate enough to be able to go for dinner together with a few others from Canada who are down here.  After dinner, I would drive TC and one of the Engineers from Canada back to their hotel at the airport and I would make the 2 mins drive to my hotel.  

Today I did some cleanup on my test notes that I needed to provide to TC.  Then, I went and grabbed lunch and spent some time outside in the 26*C weather.  I went to a Botanical Garden in Wichita and wandered around.  It was a great day.

Yes, there was a model railroad at the Garden

Enjoying the weather

After spending a few hours at the garden, I went back to the hotel and hit up the gym.  Second time at the gym in a week - I need to try and stay in shape for hockey and baseball.

Tomorrow is the start of another push for testing.  We are trying to get ready for more testing with TC later this week (and into the weekend).  I have my doubts if we will be ready but we shall see how the next few days of testing go.

PS - there is a Coolidge street here in Wichita too!

...A Real Fun Place for Kids to Go

Today was another day spent exploring and having fun while Lola was working, well only until 2pm.

Breakfast was in AA and Lola's room again before the crew loaded into the van and made their way to Marineland to visit with one of MBMell's University friends who lives nearby and her husband and 2 year old. 

Along the drive, T was still talking about the pirate who left his treasure chest at Swiss Chalet.  AA continued to develop the story - which now included the Super Sneaky Pirate Puppy gang.  Once at Marineland, T was in charge of navigating the map (which would make Lola proud) and he immediately selected Bear Country as the first destination.

One small pitstop was made at the Beluga and Orca whale enclosure to which T repeatedly indicated "this is the wrong country" (implying that Bear Country was in-fact a country - too funny).

It was then a 10 mins walk to Bear Country where T wasn't very impressed with the bears who were napping in the sun near the rocks, not very close.  We then made our way back towards the entrance so we could watch the dolphin, seal and beluga whale show.

We were very thankful that the dolphins were swimming around in the pool to occupy the kids while we waited for the show to start.  It definitely made the time go by faster and primed the kids for the show.

The kids really enjoyed the show.  T later asked his mom if the trainers were lifeguards too.  Deep thoughts from the little man.

After the show, we had lunch at the Hungry Bear.  The kids had hotdogs (so did DD) and MBM and AA ate cheeseburgers.  The food was really good.  MBM only had one panic episode when the seagulls started to move in to eat some leftover french fries.

Once everyone was done eating, AA drove back to the hotel to pickup Lola who was done her workshop.  She was very excited to go back to Marineland.

Upon arrival and finding the gang, we continued to enjoy the afternoon taking turns going on rides with the kids.

After saying our goodbyes to MBMells friends, we made our way to St. Catharines for some sushi that Lola had found.  All you can eat sushi.  We ate all we could - probably 25 rolls and 3 orders of edamame beans.  We were stuffed.  The kids were full and did really well for being at the restaurant for over 2 hrs.

We then took the 15 mins drive back the hotel with a short stop to get more beer and some more Gravol.  We also had to take a small detour since there two ships were going through the canal and the bridge was up.  Since the kids were already complaining "I'm tired and can't stay awake", contrary to our requests to "stay awake", we needed to get back to the hotel ASAP.

Back at the hotel, the Twinkies had their baths and were then ready for bed.  And they fell asleep relatively quickly tonight - probably since they did not have a nap today. 

Now, the adults are enjoying their free time.  And beer.  And watching Jurrasic Park with DD's commentary and trivia.

Goodnight!

Niagara Falls Ontario...

Sorry for the delayed post but yesterday was a LONG day.

We started with waking up at 3am to get the car packed up and kids loaded.  Departure from the C Residence was on-time at 3:30am.  AA dropped everyone off at the airport and then raced home, called a cab and made it back to the airport by 4am for the 5am flight.

This is a "new polar bear" - because the Twinkies don't fly domestic in Canada too often to see this one

The flight was quick and relatively smooth sailing until we were on final approach into Toronto - there were a few wind gusts that made MBMell not feel too well.  As expected, the kids did not sleep.

Once in Toronto, we made our way to pick up our rental van.  After a 30 mins wait for the van to arrive, we got packed up and made our way to Denny's for some breakfast. 



After breakfast, we made the short 1 hrs drive to our hotel at Niagara-on-the-Lake and unloaded bags.  We then drove to Niagara Falls, parked and wandered around before taking the Hornblower Cruise right up to the Falls.  It was quite impressive seeing the Falls from water level and experiencing the sheer power that all that water has.

"Hide!"

American Falls

Horeshoe Falls

After our cruise, we went for lunch at Rainforest Cafe.  The Twinkies were sure excited to go and see the animals, taking note that they were different than the other Rainforest Cafe's that they have been to.

With full bellies, we made a pitstop at the Hershey store so that MBM could get some chocolate covered strawberries.

Then we started the long walk back to the car and eventually made it after only a few tears.  We then loaded up into the van and took the short drive back to the hotel.

Everyone's schedule was off and no one was particularly hungry at 6pm.  However, everyone was pretty tired.  MBMell tried to put the kids down to bed in the big beds but that didn't work with all the jumping and pillow throwing.  Tents were then used.

While B and T were trying to go to sleep, AA went to the grocery store to get some snacks and breakfast food.  And beer and wine - staples for any hotel adventure.  Lola had to meet with her group at 8pm to work on their group project.  Once done, Lola made it back to MBMell's room just in time to help her wrangle up the kids and get them put down again for bed - the lack of sleep was sure affecting behaviours.

Once everyone was asleep, the adults spent some time visiting before calling it an early night so that Lola could get a good sleep and be ready for her workshop and breakfast at 8am.

Day 2

Today was a more relaxing pace.  DD arrived at the hotel before 9am which was perfect timing for MBMell as the Twinkies got up only 5 mins before his arrival.  They were excited to see him.

Breakfast was in AA and Lola's room and consisted of:

• Yogurt
• Cheese String
• Mini blueberry muffins
• Chocolate covered strawberries from the Hershey store in Niagara Falls (thanks Mom!)

After having breakfast it was time to get dressed in some clothes and go on a surprise adventure with AA.  The kids weren't too sure about whether they wanted to get in the car but AA assured them that it was only a 5 mins drive.  That was ok then.

The surprise adventure was the St. Catharine's Museum and Welland Canal Locks.  The museum wasn't a huge hit with the kids but they got to "go to work" pressing buttons and lighting up the different Welland Canal Locks on a large display.  After the museum, the Twinkies were able to blow off some steam at the playground - running, swinging and sliding.

At around 11:15, a ship (the Bro Alma) was making its way through the canal and needed a lift at the Lock at the museum.  Everyone, including the group of 25 Grade 3 students from a local school and numerous other tourists, made their way to the viewing platform to watch the Lock in action.  It was quite impressive that within 20 mins, the massive ship was raised and back on its way to Lake Erie and Port Colborne.

Starting level

An arrester cable being deployed - to prevent the ship from crashing into the gate

Finishing level - approx 45 ft heigher

After the surprise adventure, the crew of B, T, DD, MBMell and AA made their way to a nearby Greek restaurant for lunch.  The food was delicious and the kids enjoyed more of their mom and dad's gyro and souvlaki pita than their Dino buddies and George's burger.

With bellies full (again), AA drove the vanload back to the hotel for nap time.  AA worked while others (except T) napped.  

Waiting for the bridge to lower across the Canal on the drive back to the hotel

After nap time and after AA finished work, went to the mall and read his book outside, the kids got into their swimming suits and the van was off to a nearby splash pad.  This was a real hit with B and T who claimed they had never been to a splash pad before but nonetheless were very excited once they arrived.

Making friends

Almost an hour was spent at the splash pad and playground.  We don't think either kid stopped running at full tilt the entire time.  Then, we made our way to Swiss Chalet for supper before coming back to the hotel to say goodnight to Lola.

T's concoction - pizza with mashed potatoes, corn and gravy.  Mmm... :P

Tomorrow will be another adventure day as one of MBMell's friends who lives in Ontario is supposed to meet up with us at an amusement park while Lola has her last day of her workshop.

Lola hard at work with her team