Two down, 46 to go

KnToday I met Bill Smith and his lovely wife Judy in Videlia, La. We hit it off instantly. Bill has cancer of the pancreas and had chemo yesterday. He had never flown in a small plane. I flew him over his home in Natchez, Ms. and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I was blessed with the opportunity!

First leg of Passion Flights for Life

DDToday I departed Flippin, Ar. and flew to Monticello, Ar. Fueled up and had lunch with my daughter then flew to Vidalia, La.

I had a good tailwind and made it here in 4 hours. I was greeted by Donna Maroon who is a sweetheart and very helpful.

I am waiting for wind to quiet down and then will give a ride to Bill Smith, who has 

pancreas cancer, and had chemo yesterday.

Today was a good day. I gave rides to a young guy, Jared Jestice and  to a breast cancer survivor, Susan Payne. Kevin Pieper (peeper) a reporter from The Baxter Bulletin Newspaper in Mountain Home, Ar. interviewed both Susan and I. He plans to write an article on this the first of (the lower) 48 states and it should appear on Wednesday Apr. 29, or Thursday Apr. 30.. For those out of town friends you may go to www.baxterbulletin.com to read the article.

I had planned to go to Vidalia, La. (across the Mississippi river from Natchez, Ms.) making a rest stop in Monticello, Ar. However the latest weather forecast showed high winds in Monticello and rain in Vidalia. So.... I decided to wait until Wednesday to leave.

I am humbled by the opportunity to make this trip and give hope to cancer victims and let them know there is life after cancer, and death!

Be blessed, Jim

Itinerary

These are the places (in order) where I intend to stop on the first phase of my trip. Most have E.A.A. Chapters. I hope that they will line up passengers for me, get local press coverage and direct me to food and lodging. It is my desire to give rides to cancer victims and give them hope that there is life after cancer. Also I like to give rides to kids.

Monticello, Arkansas
Vidalia, Louisiana
Diamondhead, Mississippi
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Saint Elmo, Alabama
Bonifay, Florida
Live Oak, Florida
Lake City, Florida
Waycross, Georgia
Vidalia, Georgia
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Lumberton, North Carolina
Roxboro, North Carolina
Farmville, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Westminster, Maryland
Middletown, Delaware
Ocean County, New Jersey
West Milford, New Jersey
Meriden, Connecticut
North Kingston, Rhode Island
Marlboro, Massachusetts
Biddleford, Maine
Rochester, New Hampshire
Rutland, Vermont
Johnstown, New York
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
State College, Pennslyvania
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Delaware, Ohio
Bluffton, Ohio
Marshall, Michigan
Kokomo, Indiana
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Paducah, Kentucky
Paris, Tennessee
Flippin, Arkansas

Planned Trip

I am planning a Cancer Awareness trip in my small plane. I am a cancer victim and a cancer survivor.
Everywhere I land I want to give a ride to a cancer victim. Also I like to give rides to kids ages           8 thru 17. I hope to get some media coverage to spread the word. Every year too many people die needlessly from cancer. Early detection and treatment can prevent so many deaths.

I will post again when I am ready to depart. Then each day I will post pictures and comments.