First Solo Cross Country

Well, It was a good day to fly, so I figured no time like the present. Departed Lubbock at 11:00a.m. headed to Plainview (30nm)Childress(72nm), Floydada (57nm)then back to Lubbock(34nm). We had an EAA Young Eagles joyride going on this morning, so LBB airspace was hectic. I was eighth in line for takeoff and finally got in the air. After contacting departure, I was told to fly heading 100 for traffic. (I need to be on heading 001) I figured I'd get on my way fairly quick, but departure forgot me. After flying east for ten minutes, I called to see if I was clear to turn on course "Archer 354 Mike Romeo, sorry, we forgot you, turn on course."Headed up to Plainview, Landed, and took back off. Now the second leg, heading to Childress. Turned and headed to heading 069 and enjoyed the flight. Cruised along at 5,500 and it got just a little bumpy when I got to the Caprock. At the Caprock there is nearly a two thousand foot elevation change. I know that isn't anything new to some of the people up north, but in West Texas, the land of 10,000 runways, it is different. Beautiful to see from the air. I landed in Childress about 12:30 and met up with the parents for lunch, the departed about 1:30. Now it is 90 degrees, and I gotta fly home in this. (Good thing I took the Archer, AC:D) Well, the roller coaster began. As soon as I took off from Childress, heading to Floydad, It was bumpy. No matter the altitude, I couldn't find anything smooth. So, I just rode it out. Touched down at Floydada, and enjoyed the world not shaking, rolling, or pitching for a few minutes. Then I left for Lubbock, 20 minutes of bumping around again. Got back into Lubbock about 3:00 and was tired. It was a good flight, I'm learning to just deal with the turbulence and let the ride happen. And thank goodness for AC