A few weeks back I had a unique opportunity to cross the sea by air, both directions in one day, and in two different planes! Alright, so it wasn't really a sea per se, it was Lake Michigan. But hey, if the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and the Sea of Galilee can claim that title, then a lake whose shores are out of sight at 4,000 feet ought also to qualify.

Having lived in Indiana or Michigan most of my life, I'm no stranger to the Great Lakes. But apart from some airline travel, I'd never previously flown over the big water. The first crossing made me feel like a king. My father being a corporate pilot, I have been blessed with several opportunities to hop aboard when airplanes are going for maintenance. In airline parlance it would be called hitching a ride in the jump seat. But when the aircraft is a business jet and you have the whole passenger cabin to yourself, it's a wee bit grander than a "jump seat."

As we crossed over the Michigan shoreline, the weather was ideal for a day at the beach. The good Lord was giving us plenty to enjoy, with a steady breeze, the sun on display, and just enough clouds in the sky to be interesting. Nobody would be in the water at this time of year, though. Even if the state of Michigan weren't locked down for COVID, the temperature of that water would deter all but a Yooper! Once we got past the shallows and the sandy bottoms whipped up by the rip currents, it was all black water and whitecaps. The benefit of the cold water was the resulting smooth air. The first few minutes of the flight we were jostled something fierce by the thermals. A sunny breezy day might be nice for a trek on the beach, but it's the devil on a jet flying at less than a mile high.

The first indication that we were closing on the Chicago side of the big lake was the change in the color of the water. Once again, the water shallowed, the sand mixed in, and the color lightened up a few shades as a result. Spring rains, the wind, and the waves all serve to make the water around the shores of Lake Michigan look more like a cappuccino than fresh water. Now that's something you won't see while you're rocketing into the sky on the airliner headed for FL320.

In short order, it was time for the KPWK approach to landing. One thing about Palwaukee, they like to keep you in tight. Even with the leading-edge slats on the Astra, this was some pretty impressive maneuvering. We had the ground, and nothing else, out the port windows nearly all the way around to short final.

A quick pit stop and a chat with the folks at the Astra maintenance facility, and we were back in the air. On the climb out we got to see some of the sights from the inbound course, though at a slightly less harrying angle. The crossing of the sea on the return was no less enjoyable, albeit a wee bit less expedient. We hopped into the Skymaster for a taste of centerline thrust and a closer view of Lake Michigan.

Crossing the barge routes rewarded us with a bit of time to watch waterborne commerce in action. But it wasn't too long before we were back over dry land. Nearly home, we crossed over KSBN and were surprised at the number of immobile airliners at the aerodrome by The Golden Dome. While the barges were still trundling across the lake, the airlines were nearly at a standstill from the COVID slowdown.

And with home base back in sight, it was time to put away other people's toys. It's always enjoyable to get in the air and see the sights. So much the better when it's a place you‘ve never been, with flying friends, and in different planes. As the COVID crud starts to lift and people are able to gather again, perhaps it's time to start looking in the Events section of Barnstormers.com for a destination. And if your weight and balance will tolerate it, why not help bolster this industry of ours by taking some folks along with you. Someday in the near future those regional jets will be carrying passengers once again. And the youth today need good mentors who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences to guide them toward the Captain's seat.