After lunch I fly the 100 miles back to Perkins Field flying over Lake Mead with the rim of the great Grand Canyon off to my right. I feel both relieved that I have completed my flight, and awed at the dramatic scenery that I have seen today. The terrain along the Colorado River is harsh, dramatic, and unforgiving, but very beautiful.

I feel fortunate to be able to fly, and participate in a program that originated half way around the world from me. Flying is truly a gift of Friendship!

Mardell Haskins is a 65 years old widow with 8 children, 25 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. She lives on Lake Mead near Overton, Nevada, is a cross country air race pilot and retired construction heavy equipment operator, and a member of The Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots. She works with students and has a Scout Aviation Explorer Unit in Overton. She's the Founder and Chairman of Overton Airport Day (10 years) which gives free airplane rides to students, ages 8-17 called Young Eagles Flights. They have flown over 1,000 students. Mardell also does a lot of speaking at schools and organizations. She'll be speaking at a math forum for girls ages 8-10 in Erie, Penn in May. Mardell Haskins has organized women pilots groups for 99s in Brazil, Hungary, and Germany. She does a lot of international travel for the 99s and will be flying in a race in New Zealand in March and April of 2004.