About two weeks ago, Ryan and I took my mom up in the plane for her first small-aircraft flight. With the days getting shorter in a big hurry, it ended up being primarily an evening flight. The night was crystal clear and chilly; the kind that really signifies fall is drawing to a close. We flew over to the coast of Lake Michigan and back, with a flawless touch and go landing in Muskegon. (In aviation training, the mileage flown doesn’t count unless you land somewhere, and then turn around. They call it a “touch and go.” The things you learn!) I managed to take a few photographs before dark, but spent most of the flight really taking in the scenery. The night skyline over Grand Rapids and Lansing was brilliant. My mom had a great time, snapping lots of pictures. We capped off the evening with a late dinner out to celebrate her  successful “first flight.”