On the trip down, I had 5 to 10 kt headwinds. They increased with altitude so I stayed low, below the bases, mostly between about 1,200' and 2,500'.
Chose KAMG (Alma, GA ) for a first fuel stop based on fuel prices, but since I was just getting under 1/4 tank I figured it couldn't hurt to stop just a little short at KAZE (Hazlehurst, GA) for fuel:
![Image](https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7582/28942247692_b6ab9286a5.jpg)
On the way to Daytona, there were some showers to circumnavigate. My avionics are pretty crude compared to some, but I am still amazed at the amount of info I have at my disposal. Compare the 496 view with the view off the right wing:
![Image](https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8507/29035395685_a8ecb5fd88_z.jpg)
![Image](https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8362/29035395015_d09da33c10_z.jpg)
KDAB (Daytona, FL) for fuel, which was pretty hectic, then down to X59, (Valkaria) just south of Melbourne, where we stayed with friends.
Some pretty views:
![Image](https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8546/29035344085_5b1972e9bd_z.jpg)
But some IFR (I Follow Roads) as well:
![Image](https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8097/29035394355_58a95ab312_z.jpg)
In this case I-95!
Best not to neglect obstacles!
![Image](https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7591/29014929336_cd00c080e2_z.jpg)
Anyway, got down to HWO (Hollywood, FL) and did the check ride on Monday, then headed home yesterday. Had about 5 kt tailwinds but a scattered layer with pretty high cumulus tops again kept me low.
Chose FIN (Flagler Executive) as a less hectic stop for fuel on the way back. Got a nice view of Daytona with its track as I flew by:
![Image](https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8512/28761573230_e68a76baf8_z.jpg)
Stopped again at AZE for fuel on the way home. Convective Sigmet along my route and had to detour east over Athens, GA to get around storms. One of the smaller storms provided a nice rainbow as I went by:
![Image](https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8170/29048320545_34dcddd9eb_z.jpg)
Hard to see here, but I love it when the mountains just come into view, near Gainesville, GA:
![Image](https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8462/29015117546_8a2cbbb1d8_z.jpg)
And, again, the joy of arriving home:
![Image](https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7762/29035344525_a7520f213e_z.jpg)
In summary, I averaged about 82-85kt GS going down and about 95-100kt GS coming back, with a TAS of about 95k @ 5,200 rpm and about 5.5 gph.
Logbook entries:
![Image](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8242/28971349441_5097cb2648_o.png)
There's also a certain satisfaction when virtually everything on the plane works as intended, especially since I've been doing just about all the maintenance and inspections on it for quite some time - I think the last time a mechanic other than myself worked on it was Roger after the CT Fly-in in 2012.