sounds to me like you have a keen interest in aviation - and if so then you will not be disappointed. It's not bad at all to see the planes on the tarmac but also seeing them in the air? Wow.
Like your Dad I also have a pilot's license. I do not fly these days, however. Haven't in.... oh geez, over a decade now? I used mine quite a bit. I'd have to dig out my log book to check but I think I have somewhere around 600 hours as PIC (Pilot In Command). It was nearly all 'recreational'. I'd say 80% of my time in the air was renting a plane out of Fresno pre or right at dawn... then flying to various locations in Calif just to look around. Morning air is heaven on earth. Almost always as smooth as glass. My favorite overview was of Yosemite... specifically the Yosemite Valley. The sheer granite cliffs and waterfalls from the air are spectacular. Makes you forget every problem down below.
I may fly once again... just to do it, not sure. It's very expensive.