Day 184

Today was one of those days that doesn't quite turn out the way you plan. Andy's brother, Cory, bought Kokanee (the English Bulldog pictured above) from Montana, but needed to go pick it up, so Andy flew him to Montana today. What was supposed to be an 8 hour flight, ended up taking 15 hours! The low voltage light in the airplane came on near Helena, Montana, so Andy made an emergency landing at the Helena airport. Andy was told by a mechanic that the alternator needed to be replaced, but they didn't have any replacements there at the airport. So then, Andy's flight school instructor and another instructor had to fly to Helena to help Andy fly the broken plane back home. Since Andy & Cory would have to wait 3 hours for the instructors, they decided to rent a car and drive the rest of the way to get the dog. They made it back to the airport with the dog just a few minutes after the instructors got there. Because the alternator was out, the battery was not able to charge, which then made the radio in the airplane useless. So Andy had to fly the broken airplane all the way home using just a handheld radio that allowed him to only communicate with the instructors in the other plane. Around 10 PM, Andy called to tell me they had landed safely & were on their way home. WHAT A RELIEF! Oh, and because their trip lasted longer than expected, both Andy & Cory missed out on all the pre-4th of July festivities--swimming, the delicious dinner, the softball game (which we really needed them for), and fireworks! I am just happy they made it home safe & after seeing Kokanee, it was all worth it because she is just the sweetest little thing!!!