Back during my NAVAIR days I often had to travel of Dallas to Bell Helicopter during the darkest period of the V-22 Osprey Program. One more tragic event and Dick Cheney would have canceled the program for the final time. I flew to Bell on behalf of the government to do my small part to see that he didn’t.
Dinner on the government’s dime at the Cajun/creole oriented Pappadeux was a must. Although it is a family owned chain restaurant, is it still quite good, as they fly in fresh seafood daily.
On this week’s trip back to California from DC, I had a stop in Dallas. Pappadeux is located past security both at the Dallas and Houston airports, and I more than often stop for a bite between flights. For this trip, I had two hours to kill and was seated next to a very talkative young woman (homegrown Texan). With a few added glasses of wine, I have to say it was the best layover ever!
Given I tend not to select the best food options when traveling, this time I kept it healthy: an awesome ahi tuna appetizer, and a Cobb Salad with lump crab meat. I always stay away from the fried stuff, but love anything blackened, but just wasn’t up for a full-fledged meal with another few hours stuck on a plane.
That was last Wednesday. I am now back in Southern California enjoying a lazy, warm, dry weekend. With my weekend chores out of the way, I just may take a hike up around Mount Baldy. It’s a hop away and it’s been decades since I made the trek (can’t wait to see some snow up there).
On Monday our critical design review (CDR) will be set for the Mooney M10J. Then the real work begins, but I am part of a great team and actually having fun working again.
