Cleared for Takeoff, Runway One-Zero

I was a little worried about the wind today. As it got closer to flight time it had died down to a respectable level. Runway One-Zero was in use. My last flight was from Two-Eight. It's the same runway just 180 Degrees in the other direction. This allows you to take off into the wind. I completed the pre-flight on my own as we contacted Leesburg Flight Service Station to get our clearance to fly in the Washington area ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) The ADIZ is a large area that surrounds the District of Columbia and encompasses most of the middle section of Maryland, including BWI, Martin State, Lee, Tipton, Bay Bridge, Suburban, Freeway, and other airports. In order to fly in, or enter into the ADIZ requires a flight plan and a special "Squawk" code on your transponder. After you enter the flight plan you then need to contact ATC, in our case Potomac Approach to activate the flight plan and receive a discrete squawk code. One all that was done it was time to taxi to the run up area. I was a lot more relaxed and my taxi's were much straighter. Once we arrived at the run up area near the runway, we conducted an engine check to make sure we had proper function. Run up was complete and I taxied us onto the center line. A few last minute words of encouragement from my instructor and it was time to go. Full power and keep the plane down the center line. We gathered speed and I was able to keep us close to center. Now I was nervous. The controls began to streamline in the wind and the nose wheel began to get light. Our plane wanted to fly. Just a little back pressure, called rotation and we were climbing. Not too bad. I was a lot less nervous now that we got up without any major trouble. My instructor still handled the radio on climb out. The weather was great with a least 10 miles of visibility. We headed toward the Severn River. My instructor had me perform some maneuvers but during our straight and level parts I was actually able to look out of the windows, scan for traffic, and take in the scenery. If you have never been flying in a small aircraft you are missing one of life's greatest pleasures. We flew over the Rt 50 Severn River Bridge, The Rt 450 Bridge, Kent Island, The Bay Bridge, and the Chesapeake Bay. It was spectacular. I practiced the four basics: Straight & Level, Climbs, Descents, and Turns. "Dutch" rolls, not a maneuver that's used normally in flight but an exercises in using the Ailerons and Rudder together. We also practiced slow flight. Slow flight was not as scary as I though it would be. My instructor demonstrated some basic principles to me and then it was time to turn around and head for the field. I got us set up for the pattern and them my instructor took us in to land. We are going to work on landings after I become proficient in the basics. All in all my instructor said I was doing pretty well. After some words of encouragement he made my logbook entry and gave me some homework.
Flight time today: 0.9 Hrs Dual Local, 1 Landing. My next flight is scheduled for Wednesday. Let's hope the weather gods cooperate. I'm going to try and bring my camera next time.