Florida & Arizona 2026
February 5–16, 2026
This is a long-form trip record written primarily for Nancy and me to reread in our retirement years, and for Gordon and Melissa—and a small circle of close family and friends—who enjoy detail and context. It is not intended to be tight. It is intended to preserve what happened, why it mattered, and the small moments that make a trip feel real when you revisit it later.
This journey braided several threads: flying our Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 G2+ (“Morgan”) across the country; returning to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) decades after my presidency; visiting Save the Chimps (a mission we have supported quietly for more than 15 years); and spending time with my brother Dave in Key West, including our first real look at his seasonal setup at the Navy Marina.
Spotlights
Gordon Boettger
Traveling with Gordon adds a special aviation dimension to any trip. Gordon is a FedEx Boeing 777 Captain, a record-setting glider pilot, and a gifted aviation communicator. His Instagram feed is @grboettger. He’s particularly good at making non-pilots care about what’s happening in the cockpit without dumbing anything down—and making pilots want to fly better.
On this trip, Gordon flew three left-seat legs in Morgan and hand-flew an ILS into Pensacola using synthetic vision and flight path vector cues—smooth, disciplined, and precise. It was a reminder that well-trained airmanship translates across aircraft categories.
Save the Chimps
Our visit to Save the Chimps in Fort Pierce was one of the most meaningful hours of the trip. We’ve been modest donors for over 15 years. Seeing the sanctuary in person—how seriously they approach intake, quarantine, behavior assessment, and long-term care—made the mission tangible in a way newsletters can’t.
Part I — Arizona: Desert Rhythm Before Acceleration
Thursday, Feb 5 — Minden → Scottsdale; Volanti; Fountain Hills
I was in Minden early February for airport business. We launched Thursday morning from Minden in our Vision Jet with Gordon in the left seat of “Morgan.” Nancy and I are both type-rated in the SF50. There is something deeply satisfying about flying your own airplane across the country—not as passengers, but as pilots managing the plan, the weather, the legs, the cockpit rhythm, and the decisions.
We arrived in Scottsdale and started with lunch at Volanti at KSDL. It’s a great airport restaurant with second-floor views over the ramp—one of those places that feels designed by someone who understands that aviation is part of the experience, not just the transportation.
We toured the Fountain Hills house (the “seven bathrooms” joke never gets old) and the guest quarters—the Saguaro Suite—on the third floor. Our daughter Tabitha was there enjoying the sun. Dinner that night was at Oka Sushi, which (in my opinion) remains the best sushi restaurant in Fountain Hills.
Friday, Feb 6 — Chiropractic; Shopping; Long Walks; True Food; Ling & Louie’s
Friday morning started with a practical reset: Nancy and Gordon went for a chiropractic adjustment. Gordon’s back was sore after a FedEx trip—one of those reminders that professional flying has a physical cost that passengers never see.
Melissa and Nancy went shopping at Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Center. Gordon and I took the pups (Brandy and Beckett) on a four-mile walk around the neighborhood. Those walks became one of the best parts of Arizona: unhurried conversation with a fellow pilot while the dogs do their important work of sniffing everything. We talked about decision-making, discipline, and the responsibility senior pilots carry in shaping younger aviators.
We met for lunch at True Food Kitchen. Dinner was at Ling & Louie’s.
Saturday, Feb 7 — Theater Night; El Encanto; Easy Pace
Saturday, Nancy took Tabitha to the airport while Gordon, Melissa, and I watched The Martian in my theater—first time for them. In retrospect, it was fitting: systems thinking, calm problem solving, and engineering under pressure. Lunch ended up being Burger King. Dinner was at El Encanto Mexican restaurant close to the house. Later, we had one of those relaxed evenings that you don’t plan but always remember—hot tub, conversation, dogs nearby.
Part II — Crossing the Country: Scottsdale → Texas → Pensacola → Daytona
Sunday, Feb 8 — Scottsdale → San Angelo → Pensacola
We left the house early and met Morgan at the Cirrus facility at KSDL. A golf tournament created a gate hold, and we had to wait for permission to start the engine—an oddly Scottsdale sentence.
Nancy flew left seat with Gordon right seat on the first leg to San Angelo (KSJT). From KSJT to Pensacola (KPNS), Gordon flew left seat and I flew right seat. We intentionally flew the ILS into KPNS so Gordon could hand-fly using synthetic vision and the flight path vector. It was smooth, stable, and precise—no drama, just professionalism.
We stayed at the Hilton Pensacola Beach and caught a great sunset. Dinner was at The Grand Marlin.
Monday, Feb 9 — Naval Aviation Museum; Pensacola → Daytona; Chart House
We visited the National Naval Aviation Museum on NAS Pensacola and met with the Foundation President, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Kyle “KC” Cozad. Museums like this endure because leadership and stewardship endure—artifacts alone don’t carry an institution. It was a meaningful conversation about legacy and sustaining excellence.
Lunch was at O’Brien’s Bistro, then we flew to Daytona Beach. In cruise we briefly saw 432 knots groundspeed for a few seconds. We thought 440 might be possible that day—then ATC requested descent just as we were leveling and building speed. A small pilot moment, but memorable.
We checked into Yelvington Aviation, stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Daytona Beach Airport, and had dinner at Chart House on the Intracoastal.
Tuesday, Feb 10 — Verdego Aero; Spruce Creek; Dinner with the Ridders
We visited Verdego Aero to learn about hybrid propulsion and where that technology may fit into the next generation of electric/hybrid aircraft. Seeing hybrid propulsion work up close is a reminder that aviation’s next chapter will be written by people who combine old disciplines (aerodynamics, structures, safety) with new tools (power electronics, controls, battery science, hybrid architectures).
We visited the Mazurs and toured Spruce Creek Fly-In—14 miles of taxiways and hundreds of airplanes based there, many in hangar homes. Communities like Spruce Creek remain uniquely American: serious, practical, and built around a shared obsession.
That evening we had dinner at Stonewood Grill with Coach Steve Ridder and friends. Steve’s relationship with us stretches back years, and those dinners carry a familiar warmth—stories, updates, and the steady feeling of continuity.
Part III — Embry-Riddle: Legacy and Reassurance
Wednesday, Feb 11 — Campus Tour and Student Teams
I served as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s third president from 1991 through 1998. Returning decades later is layered. It’s not nostalgia; it’s a chance to see what endured, what grew, and what the next generation is building.
The university hosted a full campus tour: Student Union, Athletics, Engineering, Flight Operations, College of Aviation, and the MicaPlex research park. The highlight—by far—was the student design teams in Engineering.
We heard briefings from multiple teams: AIAA Design/Build/Fly, Rocket Propulsion, Formula Race, Baja vehicle, and swarm robotics. What impressed us most wasn’t just intelligence—it was ownership. These students didn’t speak like they were repeating slides. They spoke like they had built things, broken things, fixed things, and learned the hard way.
The AIAA Design/Build/Fly team is enormous (125+ members) and still felt well-organized. They discussed design tradeoffs, fabrication constraints, testing discipline, and competition strategy with maturity. It felt less like a class project and more like a small aerospace company operating inside a university.
The Rocket Propulsion team was equally impressive. Propulsion work has an unforgiving honesty. Thrust curves don’t care how enthusiastic you are. The team discussed testing, safety discipline, and failure analysis with a calm humility that inspires confidence.
Gordon and Melissa were especially struck by these teams. They said, in essence, that it made them feel more comfortable about the future—because leaders and technologists like these are clearly coming up behind us. They couldn’t decide which team was their favorite. It was a tough choice between Rocket Propulsion and Design/Build/Fly, and that “problem” says everything.
Scholarship Lunch, Flight Ops, MicaPlex, and Basketball
We met with scholarship recipients over lunch. Nancy and I have endowed three scholarships at ERAU: one honoring my parents’ efforts with baseball, a women’s achievement scholarship, and the Sliwa Fellows program. Sitting with recipients turns giving into something human and immediate.
The Flight Operations tour was staggering: 100+ aircraft and up to 700 flight hours per day. It’s a logistical machine, but it also reflects culture—training volume at that scale requires discipline.
We toured the MicaPlex research park (link) and heard about Boeing’s investment presence, including a new facility designed to bring significant engineering staff to Daytona Beach. It’s a strong signal about the regional ecosystem and the talent pipeline.
That evening we attended the women’s and men’s basketball games vs. Rollins. The women won convincingly; the men surged late for a tight win. Coach Ridder invited the four of us into the locker room afterward, and we gave short messages of encouragement. I mentioned Gordon’s soaring accomplishments briefly, and several players engaged with him afterward—genuinely curious and impressed.
Part IV — Intracoastal Cruise; Fort Pierce; Save the Chimps
Thursday, Feb 12 — McDuffees and the Intracoastal; Fort Pierce
We met Paul and Joan McDuffee at their slip. Paul was formerly Chief Flight Instructor at ERAU. During my presidency I promoted him to VP of University Relations, and later I hired him at Insitu, where he helped coordinate FAA interfaces and relationships—work that requires both credibility and patience.
We launched their boat, Knot Again II, and cruised the Intracoastal Waterway toward New Smyrna Beach. We returned and had lunch at the Halifax River Yacht Club (hryc.com).
After lunch we flew the Vision Jet to Fort Pierce (KFPR). Gordon flew left seat for the third and final time on the trip. Dinner was at Chuck’s Seafood.
Friday, Feb 13 — Save the Chimps
We visited Save the Chimps, hosted by Ana Paula Tavares (CEO) and Triana Romero (Development Director). We toured the special-needs / quarantine area and learned about their intake and integration process: quarantine, behavioral observation, and careful matching to social groups. That process can take months, sometimes up to 18 months.
Chimpanzee social hierarchy is real and complex. Not every group accepts a newcomer. Some chimps arrive with trauma and limited socialization. Many had never been outside. Some had never even seen another chimp. The sanctuary’s work is patient, clinical, and humane.
The chimps live on three-acre islands with indoor “home base” structures. Staff place enrichment items and food on the islands to encourage natural foraging behavior. Seeing older chimps explore outdoor space safely—protected and cared for—was powerful. Nancy and I left feeling quietly grateful that our modest contributions have participated in something real.
Part V — Key West: Dave, Scooters, Sunsets, and Blue Heaven
Friday, Feb 13 (Afternoon) — Fort Pierce → Key West; The Reach; Mallory Square
Nancy and I flew from KFPR to KEYW with great visibility on arrival. The ramp was crowded and there’s only one FBO, but Dave met us and took us to our hotel, The Reach (Curio by Hilton).
Shortly after we arrived at the Curio, our scooters were delivered. We got quick instructions from the delivery person, and he departed. We then attempted to drive around the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex. It took me a bit to get used to it. Nancy tried but barely averted crashing and falling. She got off and said that was it for her—she was done with it.
So Dave drove us to Mallory Square for the famous sunset pictures and dinner. That evening, I put the scooters away in the parking garage and discovered that Nancy’s scooter was squirrely and much harder to drive than mine. When I told Nancy this she decided to try again for the drive to Blue Heaven.
We had dinner at El Meson de Pepe. Back at the hotel we had an AC issue; the front desk insisted on immediate repair and an engineer arrived quickly. It was one of those small hotel moments that removes friction early.
Saturday, Feb 14 — Notary Quest; Butterfly Conservancy; Marina Life; Half-Shell
I needed to deliver a notarized document for AIC Title Company. I rode a scooter to the UPS store, printed successfully, then discovered the notary wasn’t available that weekend. I found a Pak and Ship about halfway back and got it done.
Nancy and I walked to the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy. It was excellent—better than expected. A butterfly landed on my blue shirt and stayed there for about ten minutes until a docent gently moved it. Nancy’s favorite part was the flamingos Rhett and Scarlett; Rhett was especially vocal because it was mating season.
Dave took us to his marina at NAS Key West on Boca Chica Island. The setup is great—restrooms, showers, laundry, café, and bar close to the slips. Dave’s boat is a Morgan 41 Out Island Sloop, outfitted with air conditioning, two TVs, and padded recliners. We had lunch at the café (grouper bites) while doing laundry.
We stopped at West Marine (link) for supplies and then toured docks and fed tarpon (huge). Dinner was at Half-Shell Raw Bar: steamed stone crabs, conch fritters, lobster spring rolls.
Sunday, Feb 15 — Blue Heaven; Hemingway House; Southern Most Point; Square Grouper
We got up early to meet Dave at Blue Heaven. They open at 8:00 a.m. and don’t take reservations, and the wait can be up to two hours. Dave was nervous about the wait and arrived at 7:15 a.m. to be first in line.
This mattered for another reason: my mother (now deceased) declared Blue Heaven her favorite Key West restaurant. So the three of us going together—Dave, Nancy, and me—felt like honoring her memory, not just eating breakfast.
Nancy was still wary of the scooter after her near-crash. But once I told her her scooter was squirrely, she agreed to try again. We swapped scooters. She rode across town successfully—an important personal win.
Blue Heaven was great: roosters walking among the tables; a relaxed Key West atmosphere; and truly excellent food. Dave and I ordered the “special,” a BLT omelet (bacon, lobster, tomato) with cheddar and banana bread. Nancy had the BLT Benedict (poached eggs, no cheese). The key lime pie was outstanding—balanced tartness, great graham crust, puffed meringue. I can’t remember a better one. Dave claims Publix key lime pie ranks highly in local competitions; I remain skeptical but entertained by the debate.
We then scootered to the Hemingway House and later to the Southern Most Point for the obligatory pictures. We also visited the Route 1 end marker / Kapok Tree of Souls area.
We wanted an early dinner to prep for our trip home, so we drove to Square Grouper. I ordered yellowtail snapper; Nancy ordered tilefish (flaky like mahi, sweet like lobster); Dave ordered conch schnitzel. Great service, good environment, and one of our favorite meals of the whole trip.
Part VI — Monday, Feb 16: The Long Return Home
Dave picked us up at 7:00 a.m. and took us to the airport. Our planned flights were:
- KEYW → KGPT (Gulfport, MS): BUFTTT1 departure; landed through 1,400’ high overcast
- KGPT → KSJT (San Angelo, TX): uneventful; enjoyed visiting the San Angelo Jet Center
- KSJT → KSDL (Scottsdale, AZ): 70-knot headwinds, bumpy at times, light icing
The final leg was a reminder that trips end the same way they begin: disciplined flying, careful margins, and gratitude for a reliable machine.
Reflections
This trip blended aviation precision, institutional legacy, philanthropy, friendship, and family. Each segment mattered for different reasons, and the total was greater than the sum of parts.
Arizona provided relaxed rhythm and friendship. Embry-Riddle was the intellectual and emotional centerpiece—especially the engineering design teams. Gordon and Melissa left reassured about the future of aerospace leadership and could not choose between Rocket Propulsion and Design/Build/Fly as their favorite. That’s a good problem.
Save the Chimps was the moral center of the trip: patient, humane restoration for animals who often experienced deprivation and trauma. Key West was the family center: scooters, marina life, tarpon, sunsets, and my mother’s favorite restaurant—made possible by Dave’s 7:15 a.m. commitment to being first in line.
Morgan carried the miles. People gave them meaning.
Appendix — Link Summary Table
| Name | Location (City) | Link | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Boettger Instagram (@grboettger) | — | instagram.com/grboettger | Aviation storytelling; soaring and flight content |
| Save the Chimps | Fort Pierce, FL | savethechimps.org | Chimpanzee sanctuary; meaningful philanthropy stop |
| Volanti | Scottsdale, AZ | volantiscottsdale.com | Great airport restaurant; 2nd-floor ramp views |
| Oka Sushi | Fountain Hills, AZ | okasushi-fountainhills.com | Best sushi restaurant in Fountain Hills |
| True Food Kitchen (Scottsdale) | Scottsdale, AZ | truefoodkitchen.com | Our favorite healthy food restaurant in Scottsdale Quarter |
| Ling & Louie’s | Scottsdale, AZ | lingandlouies.com | Our go-to restaurant with family or friends |
| National Naval Aviation Museum | Pensacola, FL | navalaviationmuseum.org | Major aviation museum; NAS Pensacola |
| The Grand Marlin | Pensacola Beach, FL | thegrandmarlin.com | Large restaurant on the bridge to Pensacola Beach |
| O’Brien’s Bistro | Pensacola, FL | obriensbistro.net | Nice lunch place in Pensacola |
| Chart House (Daytona Beach) | Daytona Beach, FL | chart-house.com | Dinner on the Intracoastal |
| Verdego Aero | Daytona Beach area, FL | verdegoaero.com | Hybrid propulsion visit |
| Stonewood Grill (Ormond Beach) | Ormond Beach, FL | stonewoodgrill.com | Dinner with the Ridders |
| AIAA Design/Build/Fly | — | aiaa.org/dbf | Competition referenced during ERAU engineering briefings |
| ERAU MicaPlex | Daytona Beach, FL | erau.edu/research-park/micaplex | Research park; Boeing presence noted |
| Halifax River Yacht Club | Daytona Beach, FL | hryc.com | Lunch with Paul and Joan McDuffee |
| Chuck’s Seafood | Fort Pierce, FL | chucksseafoodfortpierce.com | Classic beach seafood |
| The Reach (Curio by Hilton) | Key West, FL | hilton.com (The Reach) | Hotel base in Key West |
| El Meson de Pepe | Key West, FL | elmesondepepe.com | Cuban cuisine; dinner after Mallory Square sunset |
| Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy | Key West, FL | keywestbutterfly.com | Excellent exhibit; flamingos Rhett & Scarlett |
| West Marine (Key West) | Key West, FL | westmarine.com (Key West) | Marine supply stop |
| Half-Shell Raw Bar | Key West, FL | halfshellrawbar.com | Stone crabs; conch fritters; lobster spring rolls |
| Blue Heaven | Key West, FL | blueheavenkw.com | Mom’s favorite; Dave arrived 7:15am; roosters; key lime pie |
| Square Grouper | Key West, FL | squaregrouperkeywest.com | One of our favorite meals; yellowtail snapper; tilefish; conch schnitzel |
| 7fl6.com (as captured in notes) | Port,Orange FL | 7fl6.com | Captured in source notes; add remark if relevant |
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