The Airport Environment...

It's not secret how I feel about flying commercial these days - it is more expense and endurance than it is a treat.  Yes, I remember when flying commercial was "an event"... people dressed up and the airlines treated you like a valued customer.  Contrast that to today's flying, where you are herded like cattle and nickle & dimed for anything they can think of.

I also fondly remember our own flying days: when you taxied up to an FBO, and they would bring a rental car right out to your plane.  Some FBOs really understood how to make a customer feel special.

This morning, we had breakfast at the Airport Diner at the Fredericksburg Airport, where the booths have a view of the airport environment.

When Joan checked their business hours, she found that the diner was closed Friday and Saturday due to a "special event."  So, today was pretty much our only shot at breakfast with an airport view.  When we got there, the special event was pretty obvious: a gathering of King Air owners...

For those not familiar with these aircraft, they are a business class turbo-prop.  I consider them the top-of-the-line in executive transportation, until you get into the business jet category.  And for some use, the King Air is a better fit than a business jet.  I didn't know they had gatherings of King Air owners, but what a great place to do this... besides all the touristy stuff and wineries around Fredericksburg, this airport has a hotel not just at the airport, but adjacent to the taxiway...

A nice start to the day.

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A bit more touristing in downtown Fredericksburg before wrapping things up.  We stopped in a general store (not to be confused with the Five & Dime from a few days ago)...

Joan was interesting in some wine tasting; you can see where my tastes lie...

And on to the wine tasting.  Some of the wineries in the area have tasting rooms (selling rooms?) downtown, so you don't have to drive to the winery.  I have done them before, but wine is wasted on me... "Can you taste the hint of oak from the barrels?"

No, it all tastes pretty much the same to me.  I don't do the tastings anymore.  Now, if they had different types of Coke (there used to be a Coke store in Las Vegas that did that), I'd be all in.  Joan found several that she wanted bottles to take home with us...

Ready to roll in the morning.