Some good news to my old friends here at rec.aviation

I'm not sure if there are any folks left here from "the Golden Age of
Rec.Aviation", but -- just in case -- I would like to share some great news
with y'all.

For those who don't know, back in 2002 members of this group were
instrumental with helping Mary and me decide to make the leap into an
unknown realm by endeavoring to create an aviation-themed hotel in Iowa
City, Iowa called "The Alexis Park Inn & Suites".

At the time it was a run-down old residence hotel, and we were just a couple
of pilots who wanted to somehow break into the "aviation world" without
actually BEING in the aviation world. We didn't have a clue what we were
doing, so -- virtually every step of the way -- I bounced ideas and
questions off of the members of these groups, and was always rewarded with
sage advice and remarkable contributions of ALL kinds.

Those contributions weren't limited to well-wishes, but consisted of some
remarkable donations of artwork and memorabilia that have helped to make our
aviation theme suites unique and very popular. Quite frankly, we could not
have created the Alexis without help from those who once populated these
groups, which has made the demise of rec.aviation doubly hard to watch. But
I digress...

The good news? Mary and I have just closed a deal on a motel located on
Mustang Island, Texas, in the town of Port Aransas! This area is commonly
known as "the Texas Riviera", with miles of white-sand beaches and lovely
flying weather year-round. The island has a terrific little airport
(KRAS -- Mustang Beach Airport) within a mile of the new motel, which is
currently called "Harbor Inn". We take possession on 4/19/10, and you are
ALL invited to the grand opening!

But don't expect to see the aviation theme right away. We will be taking
over at the start of the high season, so we don't think we'll have time to
start the conversion until Fall of '10. By Spring '11, however, we expect
to have the conversion complete, and the property will re-emerge as
"Amelia's Landing", with 22 rooms that are themed to place an emphasis on
float planes and flying boats, in deference to the maritime traditions of
the island.

We will, of course, continue to provide the unique amenities that have made
us successful -- many of which were first suggested by members of this
group. Our signature service is a DELIVERED breakfast, and that will
continue at the Harbor Inn. And, of course, our courtesy vehicle will be
parked at the airport with the keys under the mat for you to use during your
visit to the island, just like we do here in Iowa City.

We even plan to host a "Pre-Oshkosh Fly-In Pool Party" on Mustang Island,
too -- although I don't think we'll be leading the flight into Oshkosh from
there! But we might aim at Sun N Fun? Who knows -- the sky truly is the
limit, and we're only at the beginning of the planning stages. But, wow,
are we excited to have another "blank slate" upon which to write!

Once again, I can't express my gratitude enough to the old rec.aviation
"regulars" who helped to forge our success. I can only hope that eventually
this group will shrug off the trolls who have destroyed what was once a
tight-knit group of like-minded pilots, united in their dedication to
aviation, and that our two aviation destination hotels will serve as a
beacon to remind those who come here of what was once possible when everyone
was actually focused on aviation.

Blue skies and tailwinds, all!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"