The first time I ever saw the Southwest Airlines Shamu special color scheme I was very little.  5 or 6 years old.  I saw it on a video my parents bought me about planes.  One of those "learning" videos that teaches kids about things.  They were talking about Southwest being the official airline of Seaworld and showed how they brought penguins onboard.  From that day I always wanted to see one of the three Shamu's in person.

Over the next 17 years I saw every single Southwest special paint scheme at least once with the exception of NBA one, and Illinois one, some many more than once.  I fly quite a bit, on average 4-6 times a year.  I have seen New Mexico, and California one at least 4 times each.  But dispite the fact that there are three Shamu's in those 17 years I never once saw one in person.  They alluded me every time.  Some days I would sit at the airport for 9+ hours waiting, hoping to see one, but never would they come.

However, last Friday after 17 years of waiting Shamu finally made a appearance.  It was not at the airport though.  Last Friday I was at the Kansas Speedway enjoying my season tickets.  There was a strong north wind, and MCI is due north of the Speedway, so I had been seeing planes on final all day , but seeing Shamu was the last thing on my mind as I was trying to get driver autographs.

During the first of two Sprint Cup practices that day I simply glanced up for a moment, and was latterly knocked speechless.  Seeing Shamu was the last thing on my mind that day, but what was flying directly over head on final for MCI.  Shamu.  The 17 year search had ended on the day I least expected.

It was cloudy, and scrambled for my camera as no one would believe me unless I got a picture.  The picture is bad as I was in a hurry to catch her before she slide behind the clouds, but it is clearly Shamu!  A great day last Friday!

I also did pretty good signature wise!  

Got this sign signed by SPEED reporters Marty Smith, Wendy Venturini, Dick Berggren, and Hermie Sadler. I also got it signed by NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Jason Leffler, and Greg Biffle.