They only thing better than seeing the Padre’s win this past Sunday, was seeing them win from sitting in the SOLUTE company seats for free.  My company gave me two of their season tickets to go watch the game.  Lisa and I went down to Petco Park sunday to see the Pad’s take on the Orioles.  Although we had both been there before, we took the opportunity to get there early and poke around the park.  It’s a pretty new and nice park and we just wanted to see what was there.

We took a look at the “Park in the Park” where we think we are going to have a picnic some time next month.  If we do, I am sure we’ll post some pics.  As an extra bonus, there happened to be a season pass holders meet and greet that day.  Since we were traveling on season ticket passes we went to the session.  We managed to score a couple Padre’s scarfs and some bobble heads… Nice!

So all an all, we got two really nice seats and a bunch of swag, and some time to explore for a total of $15 (parking).  Oh and the 9-4 was not to shabby especially since we gave up those 4 runs in the 1st inning.  As always, here are a few pics:

I was able to wrap up by Biennial Flight Review, Plus One Flyers Check out, and my Piper Warrior Checkout on Sunday.  Terry and I took N9206N over to Ramona to get me familiar with the Airspace to the east and to do some touch and goes.  Everything was pretty straight forward and went well.  I got my key to the club planes and am good to go.  I think I will probably take one of the warriors out for some solo touch and goes at some point in the near future to get a little more proficient.  Anyway, here is the Bird:

So I ran 10 miles today.  This is the first time I have ever ran double digit miles.  I was a pretty hill course with a 400 ft climb right in the middle.  My legs are pretty beat.  I am trying to get my self in shape to run a half marathon.  I haven’t figured out why yet.  I suppose I just need something new to obsess over.

Rob and I headed down to PETCO Park to catch the Padres.  We got some well priced tickets out in right field, packed a lunch and enjoyed the sunshine.  While I was there I went and checked out “The Park at the Park”, which is this grassy hill / park behind right center field.  You can get in for $5 and plop down on the hill and watch the game while you picnic.  I think this will be on the list of TODO’s for Lisa and I.  Anyway here are a few pictures from the game:

Last weekend I joined the Plus One Flyers flying club here in San Diego.  I would have to say that I am pretty impressed with the club thus far.  Everyone is very friendly and the planes are kept in pretty good shape (and there is quite a wide variety to choose from).  I decided that since I need a Biennial Flight Review, a check out at the club, and an introduction to the airspace around San Diego that I could use a lesson or two with an instructor.  Also, I have pretty much only flow high wing Cessnas (152, 172, 182, 206, etc) so I figured I would give a low wing a shot to broaden my horizons.

I went up with Terry today (who is turning out to be the family flight instructor as he is also doing Lisa’s primary instruction).  The weather didn’t lets us go to the east as we had originally hoped, but we did get a lot accomplished.  I got to see some of the shoreline airspace and got the main flight maneuvers for my BFR out of the way.  All of that was pretty straight forward, and other than hunting for a few of the engine / fuel gauges which are in different spots, it didn’t take to much to get used to the plane.

The wind was such that we had to use Runway 23, which apparently doesn’t happen that often.  It was definitely interesting landing in a new aircraft, on a new runway, with a little crosswind and turbulence and two helicopters and three airplanes also in the pattern.  While this wasn’t the best condition to get a lot of landing practice in, I was happy to get to get familiar with the “other” runway while an instructor was on board, rather than being alone or with passengers.  Actually on the first landing attempt, I just decided to do a go around.  The runway is plenty long for the 161, but I just felt a little high and figured practicing a go around wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

All and all I though it was a good flight.  Terry and I agreed that since we didn’t get to cover the airspace to the east and that I could use a few more landings in a less hectic setting that we would call it a day and reconviene in a day or so.  He seemed worried that I might be disappointed that we didn’t “finish” inone flight, but I feel like I accomplished a lot and he it gives me an excuse to get some more stick time this month and I really like flying with experienced people since I consider my pilots license a “license to learn” at this point.

Anyway, I had fun, learned a few things, and logged some time in a low wing.  Not a bad day.

I haven’t really had a TGIF moment since I have been in San Diego… until today.  Not sure why exactly.  This week was a little more intense with actives and I was definitely stressing a little on a proposal for work.  I Think maybe its because I have a few things planned this weekend that I have been looking forward to.  In any event, definitely glad for the weekend.  I figure I will have some updates coming this weekend based on my flying activities and the baseball game.  Stay tuned.