Fourth Leg: Beyond the Mississippi

Yes! I made it east of the Mississippi!

Why did I crossed the Mississippi? (Feel free to post your response in the comments section,if you wish).

The weather to the East of Waco only started to improve after 11AM. So today I had another late start. The objective was to keep advancing behind the weather front and at least go beyond the Mississippi river. Well, I pointed for one leg to Key Field (KMEI) at Meridian, Mississippi. Approximately mid way between Jackson and Selma.

Before departing I did some visiting in Waco, and found interesting landmarks (See below in the pics section).

The highlight of this leg was crossing the Mississippi. Most of the trip was cruising at about 145kt/hr thanks to very helpful tailwinds. Again the landing and take off was challenging because of the strong winds with gusts and crossed component. Since I had chosen fields with multiple runways the crosswind was somewhat neutralized.

OK, pictures time:

 This is Washington Avenue in downtown Waco this Sunday morning. Not a car to be seen in any direction. I usually never take pictures from the middle of the street, but this time I felt very safe. (Kids, do not try this at home. ....I know this is bad example)

 Fountain in front of the Town Hall building behind me taking the pic.

Superb group of over sized sculptures showing several Cowboys herding long horn cattle next to the Waco bridge and Brazos river. Extremely well executed and displayed.  Very impressive.

  This perspective provides the size relation to a car parked in the background.

There was a reason for the location of this sculpture next to the bridge. See below the plaque that provides the history of The Waco Suspension Bridge. (By the way, constructed almost a century before than the also suspension Golden Gate Bridge in SF).

 This is it!
(Yes, I did walk all the way to the other side)

 Pending things to do, or visit, in Waco. This will be in another occasion.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Waco is home to the renowned Baylor University.

When I arrive to the airport there's N669TW and a Cirrus next to it. Which one to chose?
The Cirrus was in their way to Florida and had made a stop for fuel.
Since last night there had been a strong storm the FBO personnel took care of N669TW and put it in the Hangar. That being the reason why the guy is pulling it out in the picture.

 Heading East after take off. The airport in the background. Bye-bye Waco!

 A selfie in flight. ;-)

The cloud ceiling today was too low to fly below the clouds so I decided to fly over them. Since it was all broken it did not pose any major risks. The charts showed that later on it would clear out.

 A nice lake in the distance during my trip today.

The beautiful patterns of Bayou landscape started to show up. The trees in the darker are are in water. Not a good place to have an emergency landing.

This is the Red river, which makes the border between Texas and Louisiana. The multiple avenues and meanders that the river creates as it finds the best way to proceed over the years provides a characteristic landscape than can be better observed from the air. A very fertile valley.

 This is what you were all waiting for; THE MISSISSIPPI. What a river! Wild, huge, powerful water stream. Particularly after all the rain in these previous days.

On the river I could see a barge pushing merchandise upstream. Although large it seems minuscule in comparison to the Mississippi.

More river legs like snakes.

 Getting closer to my destination passing next to Jackson's Airport (in the background). I need to start preparing my descent into Key Field (KMEI) at Meridian.

I found plenty of long buildings like these. Probably chicken or hogs farms?

I tried to upload a video of my landing at Meridian. (Hope it works well)

Again, a very good reception at Meridian after landing. They came and tied the airplane to the ground and provided me with a golf cart to go with my luggage to the main building. Nice!

Meridian Regional Airport is a joint use public/military airfield. These cute jets were about to taxi to the runway and take off. The noise was deafening.

As a courtesy to pilots they also offer me a van that I can use as I please for free. With a government license plate (See below). Cool!

Meridian Aviation recommends some fine local hotels with whom they have discounted rates. So I drove with my new van to the Drury Hotel, that I had never heard of before. 

(You cannot see me, but I am behind the window in the fifth floor. Just kidding!).

My route today: 

The day totals:

• 456 nm
• 3 hours 51 min

Another day and each time closer to the East coast. I left Texas behind, crossed Lousiana and landed in Mississippi. A good use of a Sunday in my opinion. What do you think?

All best,

Eduair    ;-)