Following a predawn departure from EYE in Indy on a cold dry fall day. Halfway to Brandywine PA, 11K, Center freq is quiet, watching a perfect half moon directly overhead, sun coming up toward the horizon a little faster than you ever see sitting on the ground, spreading gold fire across the horizon on the nose...looking around, realizing you're sitting right on the terminator, night behind you, day ahead. The towns below are still in the dark, sleeping, and you look up through the canopy to see a jet passing you a couple miles above, same heading and track, lit up like a diamond 'cause he's up in the sunlight. Perfectly balanced moments like that are "what it's like to be a pilot" for me.

Shopping for a sloppy day and destination to practice making/missing approaches.

Flying a J-3 in hot weather with shorts, flip flops, and open doors.

The moment you admit to yourself this is addictive.