I love being instrument rated. :)

Out here in the Rocky Mountain states, those of us who are instrument
rated rarely get a chance to practice our skills in real IMC since
"real IMC" usually implies either thunderstorms (summer) or severe icing
condiditions and blowing snow (winter). However, today I was given a
real treat by the weather goddess in the form of widespread low-lying
stratus with light rain, tops above FL 250, no convective activity, no
turbulence and a feezing level well up into the flight levels. That
almost NEVER happens in New Mexico.

CNM (Carlsbad, NM) to LAM (Los Alamos, NM): 1.8 hours on the hobbs,
1.5 in solid IMC.

My kids couldn't figure out why Daddy was grinning from ear-to-ear after
we landed. "But Dad, you couldn't *see* anything outside. How could that
be fun?!?" Muhahahahah!!!! *NOW* I remember why I put all of that time
a couple of years ago into getting my instrument rating, and why I go
out on warm bumpy days under to hood to stay current.

Sometimes I'm almost jealous of you Midwesterners and East Coasties.....
almost.....

-- Dane