Around I go, one more time, for a full-stop. There are still lots of planes in the pattern, so I work on short landing, not a smooth one. I succeed totally, with a short but bouncy landing. They direct me to the first available parking spot, which is right across from the letters. I shut down the engine and start to unbuckle.
Feet pound up.
I rise to the occasion with my usual wit. The man waved toward the runway. So I did. I felt ten feet tall and covered with hair. I felt deep pity for any pirate vessel that happened to be on Puget Sound on my way back home.