Alan's story.
Today was scheduled to be a long one, but little did we know what would transpire. Last week we booked a flight from La Paz to Guaymas, the least expensive way to get near to where our car has been stored these past 5 months. So it was a day to get up early, close up Magic, catch a cab and get to the airport to be there an hour before our 0725 flight. At gate 3 we found no information about the flights leaving, just a man speaking Spanish, so each time people lined up, I asked if it was the flight to Guaymas. The third time was a charm, and we walked across the tarmac with 11 other passengers to our Cessna 208-B, single engine 12 passenger plane. Since I was # 13 and last in line, I got directed to the cockpit, in the Co-Pilot's seat! What a shock and thrill it became! I've never had but a side view on a plane, and here I not only could see 180 degrees out front, but watch what the pilot actually did, see the gauges, and for 1 1/2 hour, look at the islands we've been anchoring next to, and the Sea of Cortez we've crossed. Even though we were flying on auto pilot, lots of adjustments were being made and even a page of notes jotted down en-route. And the landing, coming in at 65' over the highway before touching down on the end of the runway! Being in a 5 strap seat belt sure gave security when it seemed we were going to nose dive in! An experience never to be forgotten.
In Guaymas we got a cab to the car storage yard, and "Monty" started right up, no problem. 8 hours later, with three shrimp tacos for fuel, we crossed the boarder at Nogales and an hour later were checked into our room in Tucson. After dinner and baths, we're going to get a good night's rest, 17 hours after getting up this morning.
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