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SAWYER -- Sunday's mix of rain and snow didn't just create slippery driving conditions, it also forced airlines to cancel flights in and out of the Sawyer International Airport.

Sawyer is no stranger to harsh weather.  In fact, airport manager Keith Kaspari says they can tackle snow; year to date--Sawyer has received 65 inches.

But Sunday's wintry mix was more than they could handle, which is why clear skies and smooth runway was a welcome sight to airport officials on Monday night.  Unlike on Sunday when parts of the U.P. saw snow, then rain, followed by havoc.

Two arriving Northwest flights had to be diverted to Escanaba, and the one departing from Sawyer was cancelled.  The weather also caused two American Eagle flights to stay grounded as well, and another plane that was on its way had to turn around.

"With the freezing rain that occurred, it unfortunately caused our American Eagle flight coming from Chicago-O'Hare to turn around and come back to Chicago," said Kaspari.

On that flight was Dave Quigley.  "We got all the way to Marquette, circled around the airport, and the captain came on and told us we were going to back to Chicago," remembered Dave.

He and his wife were trying to make it to Marquette to visit their daughter, Meagan, who is the TV6 Weekend Meteorologist.

"We had a 45-minute flight that turned into a 23-hour flight because we ended up not getting here till today," Dave said.

At Sawyer, the travel headaches have seemed to subside, as well as in Marquette.

"I'm grateful to be here," Dave stated.