Crossing the Mississippi...alone!

Today marked another milestone in my quest to Climb my Everest. Today we took off for the practice field, which is across the Mississippi on the Illinois side. We did some steep turns (45 degrees) and then we did a couple of power on stalls. Then we flew back to KFES. My instructor hopped out and then it was my turn to leave the pattern for the first time by myself! It was a great feeling as I crossed the Mississippi and cruised at 2500 feet above the farm fields in Illinois. I did a couple of turns near Rush Island (a large power plant along the river and 10 miles south of the airport). Then I headed back. I worked my way down to 1300 feet and entered the pattern. The winds were about 8-10 mph and I had a pretty good angle of crosswind as I landed...I crabbed into the wind a little and used the rudder to straighten out the plane right before I touched down...not my best landing...I came in a little hot and a little fast, but it was acceptable and not at all a hard landing. This was the best time I have had yet on a lesson. It was really good for my confidence and the first time I have been able to relax a little during a solo flight.