Its a BREEZE in the Carolinas ( 17th June 2026 BLOG)
This weeks Blog will be a bit different , and one with no racing events taking place for me .
As mentioned at the start of the year, it’s time for me to cut down on my racing agenda . At 72 years old, my normal quota of more than 100 racing events a year is going to be reduced for 2026.
That doesn’t mean I’m slowing down, it just means I’ll be doing a few other things that I’ve never got round to doing .
That’s what this BLOG is all about .
My daughter Carla, has been living in the Raleigh area of North Carolina for few years now.
I’ve always found driving to be an enjoyment, so I’ve regularly driven down there from my home in Cornwall, Ontario. It’s a 14 hour drive through NY, PA, MD, WV, VA to NC , that I know well.
A racing friend recently pointed out to me that Breeze Airlines were doing cheap flights to Raleigh from nearby Ogdensburg NY (less than an hours drive from Cornwall).
With the increase in gas prices, and taking in to account the wear and tear on my car , I decided to look into it.
I’d planned to fly with Breeze to Raleigh at Christmas but the flight got a weather related cancelation and I became too sick travel , the following day on the re-scheduled flight.
The last time I’d seen Carla and my grandchildren Benji and Sophia was when I drove down in February , on route to the Florida Speedweek, so it was time for another visit..
Benji’s Red Devils Team were playing in a Lacrosse Tournament in Myrtle Beach South Carolina on the weekend of /13/14 of June, so it seemed a perfect time to go.
After checking available flights with Breeze , I spotted a good deal. 230 bucks (US) return .
So on Tuesday 9th of June I left home in Cornwall at 9-15 am, bound for Ogdensburg .
I didn’t need to leave early , but was giving myself plenty of time in case of border delays . It turned out to be quick , and I was pulling into the Ogdensburg Tim Hortons at 10-15 with a bit of time to kill .
It’s only 5 minutes away from the Airport , so I was soon parked up in their ‘FREE PARKING’ by 11-00.
I just love this !
When I’m flying out of Montreal Airport , parking is usually about 200 bucks CDN , which is ridiculous .
I parked my Impala, less than 100 yards from the terminals main entrance.
Once I’d checked in, and done gone through security , I sat and waited for my 1-25 pm flight.
It was lovely air-craft and seemed like nearly new.
The cabin crew were couteous and there was plenty of leg room , which is always a bonus when flying .
All in all I give Breeze Airlines top marks .
From take off to touch down it was only one hour thirty minutes, and a lot easier than my usual 14 hour drive.
Carla picked me up at the Airport and drove me to the family home in Willow Springs . As I didn’t have my own car on this trip, I had the use of either the AUDI or her husband Alex’s , if needed .
So, I had a few lazy days around Willow Springs and Fuquay Varina until Benji’s tournament at the weekend.
On Thursday we went to check on Carla’s ‘rescue’ horse , Lola.
She enjoyed her carrots.
She’d been in poor health with a bleak future , when Carla bought her .
After lot of TLC and numerous vets bills, she’s back to being healthy again.
Benji’s Lacrosse tournament was being held at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex and was set to start early Saturday morning.
It’s more than a two and a half hours drive from Willow Springs , so Carla rented camping trailer at the SUN OUTDOORS Holiday Park at nearby Conway.
We set off Friday lunch time and were at the park before 3-00pm.
Some of the other team members and their families were also staying at the site and arrived mid afternoon like us .
This had all been prearranged so we could hang out together .
There was plenty to do for everybody.
Everyone was there in good time to spend a few hours at the waterpark.
Early on Saturday morning , the serous stuff started, at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Center.
Benji had two games and the first one started at 8-30 am
It was a scorching hot day and the second game began in the mid-day sun, at around 12-30 .
By 1-30 pm it was over and our entourage was heading back to the camping park.
More time to cool down in the water and barbecue in the evening .
Day two of the tournament meant another early morning start on a hot and humid day.
There were two more games to play , with the second one ending , just a few minutes before a huge thunderstorm caused an early finish to the day.
Before leaving , I managed to grab a Team Photo of Benji and the Red Devils Lacrosse Team.
We were soon on the road and heading back to Willow Spring . We were back by 6-15 pm.
That was perfect timing, because our plans for the evening were already figured out.
Since arriving in North Carolina , I’d been keeping up to date with the Stanley Cup finals that were taking place between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Three games were on TV during during my seven day stay, and for each one, I’d joined the family to cheer on their locals.
I even bought a Tee Shirt.
I’ve always be an Ottawa Senators fan , but once the ‘Sens’ are out of contention , I find myself rooting for the Canes.
As they went into Sunday nights game , they had the chance to clinch the series if they could beat Vegas.
We all gathered around the TV set and watched them win the game and the Cup after an easy looking win.
The Golden Knights were good in the early games but in this one, they never looked a threat.
What we saw on the TV ,
The final result was 3-0 to the Canes.
My return flight wasn’t until Tuesday morning , so Monday was spent lazing around the house. Carla had a business meeting on Monday in New York City , so it was just me , Alex and the grandkids.
The flight was at 10- 45 am from Raleigh Durham Airport , so Alex had the job of dropping me off.
Once again , Breeze Airlines were on time and provided comfortable 1 Hour 30 minute flight back to Ogdensburg NY .
As we approached our destination, I had a great aerial view of some familiar local sights. The Can Am Speedway at Lafargeville NY and the I81 leading to the 1000 Island border crossing to Canada.
Once the plane had landed , and I’d gone quickly through baggage reclaim, I was in my car close to the terminal door.
You can’t get any better than that.
I then had the 45 minute drive back to the Cornwall border crossing.
I’m sure it’s not very every day that airlines get compliments from happy customers, but I must say the Breeze Airlines flight from Ogdensburg to Raleigh was one of the best flying experiences I’ve ever had in my 50 years of flying.