It’s about time I got to see rural Michigan in the summer. In all my previous visits to Michigan I have always been here when there is snow to shovel. Everyone raves about how beautiful it is here in the summer and fall. Well, I finally got here in summer.
This saga is full of downtime, first times and broken planes.
When I arrived our plane was down for some issues that needed attention from our mechanic. He got things up and running pretty early on in my hitch but that left me with some downtime to enjoy the locality and get some exercise in.
Soon we were up and running – for now. Got to work with a great medic – Steve. Of course we started flying in the night – seems to be the nature of the industry. So that was my downtime.
First-times? Yeah. I did my first multi-aircraft scene flight in a fixed wing. Done them with before when working on helicopters but never a plane. We flew to Beaver Island for a head on collision with 6 patients. It wasn’t as bad as it sounded but was quite interesting. Multiple flight agencies and even the Coast Guard all when to get patients.
Then our plane broke again – this time there was a terrible sound from the engine. They immediately grounded the plane and a new engine install began – takes many days. We got a spare aircraft brought to us by a pilot I love flying with – Chris. Chris is a great person to work with and was a missionary also. Love meeting people who have lived abroad and done missions before.
I got to go around town when getting my steps in while the plane was down. Gaylord is a nice little town with a sister city in Switzerland. There was a farmers market and even a small car show going on when I was walking around. I made southern breakfast -biscuits and gravy with eggs, bacon and hashbrowns -for the crew as the mechanics set out to do an engine swap and we started flying. We did several long hauls from the Upper Peninsula down to lower Michigan. Long flights.
Got to get some skills knocked out as that is part of the gig – Intubations and CPR practice. The last evening my relief came in early for their local skills day and then took over for me. There was not enough room for all of us in the crew house so I go a hotel so she could settle in for her hitch. Kristina took over early so I wouldn’t stress a late flight causing me to stress getting my flight home.
On the way out I had time to visit the Cherry Republic and get some treats for the family and then grab some lunch downtown Traverse City. It’s such a neat little town with lots of nice shops right on the water. I would love to return with the family on a vacation.
Time to head home and…. yup. Broken airplane in Chicago. This cascaded out missed flights home and I got stuck in Charlotte – again. While I am grateful the airlines and my company take care of me during these times, I must admit I get frustrated and just want to be home. I did make it home just a day later than planned.
So that was my time in Michigan – downtime, first time and the saga of broken airplanes.
Where to next? If you guys follow my social media you have some clues.
Seek adventure and get busy living.
-Ben