After the banquet the winning plaques and money distributed. We tried to settle down and sleep on Sunday night. Our plan was to get up about 6 a.m. finish packing and get breakfast before the 7 a.m. pick up to the airport. Well, 5 a.m. both Laurie and I were up and running.

We did get to the airport by 7:15 a.m. get the plane ready. She was first out of Frederick in her plane to NJ. A smooth clear morning but the heat had already started. I opted to fly instruments back to Moore County and I was not as lucky waiting 30 minutes to get my clearance and out of Frederick. Winds were against me on the way home and 140-155 kts. seamed slow after flying so quickly across the ground.

Made it back to SOP Southern Pines/Pinehurst Airport by 10:15 a.m. where my ground crew waiting to change oil and clean up the plane, both Freddy and Bob worked hard in the heat that was already 90 deg. Having spent 10 days away from home and leaving in 6 days for Hawaii and the conference in Kona for the 99s I had to pack a lot into this time period. So I was off and running.

Lots of e-mails to answer and people to see but what a great way to end a terrific race. Met lots of new ladies, saw lots of new states and towns even if it was for only a short time period. Learned a lot about my aircraft, flying fast and racing. Laurie on the other hand learned about instrument flying, the Bonanza and racing as well.

Will we fly next year to Iowa City, Brookings SD, Jamestown ND. Spearfish, SD, Rawlins, WY, Alliance NE, Great Bend, KS Borger, TX, Norman OK, El Dorado, AR and Mobile, AL only time will tell.!!!!!!

Thanks to the Long Island Chapter of the 99s and Vern & Sharon Hall for their help in finalizing the trip back to Moore County.

It has been lots of fun writing this blog for 10 days will miss it in the coming days.

Barbara & Laurie

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