Taylorville, IL
September 19, 2008
We arrived at Taylorville on schedule. Ruth picked Taylorville because they offered a hangar. With all of the rain storms last week she felt that a "port in the storm" might be what "Ellie" would need. Not the case. Weather was perfect. The Taylorville airport is surrounded with corn fields, open space and friendly people.
We were greeted by the local airport buffs, Howard and his wife
(Howard is in charge of Taylorville Airport), Fred Byers and his dog Tucker shared memories about flying on TWA's Star of India Connie why back when, and Kelly, Taylorville's airport mechanic.
Everyone who looks at the Lockheed takes a stroll down memory lane. All of the memories shared are fond ones. 
The name TWA is surrounded with "the good ole days" images of airlines at their glamorous best. Passengers were treated like guests, food was gourmet and planes were spotless. TWA was one of the finest to ever grace the skies and it was TWA that set the standard for the airline industry. The reason is simple; three guys who love flying, loved their airlne and valued their employees as well as their passengers.
Many small airports often have loaner cars for people who stay over night to borrow. Taylorville had their "loaner" car. Our Chevy was once part the local sheriff's fine fleet of cruisers. Our "cruiser" came complete including a large glaring spotlight in from of the drivers sea, and a back door that wouldn't open. If this car had been in California, it would have sent the drug dealers scurrying.
Not to worry with Taylorville. Its amazing how we can fly a 71 year old airplane from Santa Maria, find a small town in the middle of Illinois, but cruising in our narc car we failed horribly to find our lodging for the evening layover. In the case of Taylorville lodging translates to Motel 8. Tired and in desperation we finally pulled up to Wallgreens drive thru pharmacy window. Asking for directions, apparently it was more difficult than we were originally led to believe. Several minutes of discussion between the pharmacist, and his assistant - "Aunt" Bonnie to the rescue. A customer overhearing our plight volunteers to show us the way. Not knowing what Aunt Bonnie looked like, we had all sorts of interesting images (remember Aunt Bea), but none surprised us more than when "Aunt" Bonnie turned out to be a very pretty young woman. She flashed us a friendly smile, waved us to follow as she hopped in her car to lead us to "home". Of course we followed closely in our cruiser. Aunt Bonnie led us to the front entrance of Motel 8, ensured we were no longer lost, then gave us another one of her friendly smiles and proceeded on her own way. Ruth and I were enjoying the sound of quiet, commenting on how great it will be to get a good nights sleep when small group of Harley-Davison advocated roared into Motel 8 to check into their evening accommodations. Our new neighbors.
Like all of our stops the people of Taylorville couldn't be nicer. Without hesitation people offer whatever assistance they could. What really impresses me is of often people actually ask permission to take a photograph of "Ellie". Maybe they have the idea one of us will suddenly rush up and whisk away with their camera. Another surprise is how many people actually walk around with cameras, and I am not talking about cell phone types. Often I volunteer to take pictures of our new friends with their own cameras. The real treat is when Ruth steps in for a kodak moment.
Tomorrow we are off to Lancaster, PA, non-stop.
Kaye