I think I let everyone know that I made it home, but just in case....
Made it home after 16 great days. Landed Nauga Field about 3:30 pm on Thursday. We would have been home sooner but John H and I waited for more favorable weather. We tucked in behind a front and followed it all the way. John H caught up to it in Missouri and should be getting home this afternoon. I had tailwinds all the way!
Can't put into words how much fun I had and the great folks I had the pleasure of spending time with. Too many to thank right now and I don't want to insult anyone by leaving them out.
Trip Stats:
Total Trip Miles = 4569 sm
Moving average speed = 79.5 mph
Total average speed = 76.8 mph
Fuel used = 258.5 gallons
Avg Fuel burn = 4.24 GPH
Total Tach time = 61.0 hours
Lowest price for 100LL was at SWI (at) $2.75
Highest price for 100LL was at GUP (at) $4.45
Landings logged in 12 new states (goal is all lower 48)
Just a few things I learned:
1) You can read, talk, and type about flying at altitude, but until you've nursed a plane off a high, hot runway, you haven't got a clue!
2) The extra 20 hp of the 912S is a great advantage flying at the high altitudes and it shows up quickly in these conditions. I have the 912UL (80hp).
3) I thought I had prepared myself for high wind conditions prior to the flight. What I did was good but not enough. Need to add tailwind landings to the prep list. Waiting on light winds would leave you stranded for months out west.
4) Winds in some places out west change speed and/or direction in an instant. You have to be on your toes when close to the ground.
5) There are almost unlimited places of natural beauty and wonderful people spread out across this great nation. Take ten lifetimes to see and meet them all.
6) Larry C needs a new "calibrated" wind meter!
7) I had more fun than I deserve!
I've got chores to catch up on having been gone so long. I have a few good pics (nothing of the quality of Mike M's). When I get time, I'll figure out a way to share those for those that are interested. I'm thinking I want to look at putting them on Google Maps along our route. That would put them in sequence and at the proper location. I'll let you know. Stay tuned!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Finished Wednesday at Cushing, OK [CUH]
Done for the day in Cushing, OK. 478 sm to home. Had a good day.
Left Laramie, WY this morning.
Stopped at:
- Fort Morgan, CO [FMM]
- Goodland, KS [GLD] (had a great lunch - recommend it!)
- Great Bend, KS [GBD] - John H headed east and I turned more south.
Ended the day here at Cushing, OK [CUH]. Good to be in a bit warmer weather. I'm just behind the front and the winds have been favorable. Thought I was going to pitch the tent tonight. Airport Manager came by and offered use of the couch in the FBO. I gladly accepted. Have a bathroom, TV, and the use of a computer. Will be able to get an earlier start and not worry about packing a wet tent. Appreciate it, Mr Clements.
Today's stats:
- Tach time - 10.3 hrs (includes some long warm-ups - very cold)
- Miles - 632.6 sm
If the weather permits tomorrow, only two fuel stops and then I'll be home.
Been great!!! Still Living the Dream!
Multimedia message
Tuesday - Started across the mountains
Tuesday morning we got up early and Boyd Y took us to the airport. We departed and started our climb to head through pass and start east across the Rockies. Weather was still not the best but OK. We had to deviate a little north.
Sorry there are no pictures. IT WAS COLD! Coldest temp we saw was 28F. Mostly in the low 30's. I was busy just trying to stay warm. Didn't have a free hand to use the camera.
We did OK. Landed for fuel in Rock Springs, WY [RKS] and then headed to Laramie, WY [LAR]
Got to Laramie and had caught up to the bad weather again. Decided to stay in Laramie for the night.
This morning in Laramie it is 33F. Weather ahead looks good. Letting it warm up a bit then headed SE. Plan is to go as far as we can. Should be home Thursday if weather allows.
Still "Living the Dream"!!!
Sorry there are no pictures. IT WAS COLD! Coldest temp we saw was 28F. Mostly in the low 30's. I was busy just trying to stay warm. Didn't have a free hand to use the camera.
We did OK. Landed for fuel in Rock Springs, WY [RKS] and then headed to Laramie, WY [LAR]
Got to Laramie and had caught up to the bad weather again. Decided to stay in Laramie for the night.
This morning in Laramie it is 33F. Weather ahead looks good. Letting it warm up a bit then headed SE. Plan is to go as far as we can. Should be home Thursday if weather allows.
Still "Living the Dream"!!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday - Got to Bringham City, UT
At Bringham City, UT. Clouds touching tops. Holding for a little while.
Left the Rock House early this am. I flew east. Wanted to fly through Idaho. John H took a more direct route. I landed Burley, ID. No fuel but a great gentleman by the name of Mr Leonard gave me a few gallons of gas and took me to get a few more. Had enough but just want more cushion.
Got to Bringham City, UT around noon and the clouds were touching the tops of the Wastache mountains. John H arrived Bringham City around 1:00 pm. Boyd Young and his wife Becky took us in for the evening. Fed us well and gave us a comfortable place to sleep.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Ready to head home - waiting on better weather
Well, we have done all the flying we planned to do up here in Oregon. Could do this forever! We just barely hit the highpoints.
Ready to head home, just need the weather to be a little better for my comfort. The weather in the Rockies and at home is just not the best. Not much on leaving good conditions for bad.
Plan is to check the weather every morning till we get what we need. No fun crossing the Rockies when the weather is bad. Plan is to cross the Rockies along I-80 just south of Bringham City, UT. Then follow I-80 to Laramie, Wy before turning SE for home.
Plane is packed and ready to head home. Me too!
I'm concerned that I will have trouble getting motivated to fly once back home. I've seen some beautiful country since leaving home. Cane fields and pine trees might be a little boring after all this. Nawww, it will be alright.
Met some fine folks here. Larry and Karen have been great too us. Thanks too much!
Stay tuned for trip home.
John B
Ready to head home, just need the weather to be a little better for my comfort. The weather in the Rockies and at home is just not the best. Not much on leaving good conditions for bad.
Plan is to check the weather every morning till we get what we need. No fun crossing the Rockies when the weather is bad. Plan is to cross the Rockies along I-80 just south of Bringham City, UT. Then follow I-80 to Laramie, Wy before turning SE for home.
Plane is packed and ready to head home. Me too!
I'm concerned that I will have trouble getting motivated to fly once back home. I've seen some beautiful country since leaving home. Cane fields and pine trees might be a little boring after all this. Nawww, it will be alright.
Met some fine folks here. Larry and Karen have been great too us. Thanks too much!
Stay tuned for trip home.
John B
Friday's Trip to the Alvord Desert
Friday morning, after a good breakfast, we headed for the Alvord Desert. One Kolb Mark IIIC could not make the trip due to brake problems which were later fixed. The Alvord and the Steens Mountains are really something to see.
Video of Roger H flying and landing Larry's Firestar. I think he hit the touchdown point he was aiming at. Land in any direction in any place, just about. Good place for engine out practice.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Four Kolbs land Owyhee Reservoir State Airport
Four Kolb's landing U28.
- Roger H
- John H
- Larry C
- Keith A
I had already landed. Too bad, of course it was a perfect landing. heehee
Neat little place to camp and fish. There was a large group coming in for Memorial Day weekeend. Just too pretty! There is so much beautiful country to see. Can't see it all. Need to to retire!
Flight up the Owyhee Canyon
After leaving Skinner Ranch, we headed north. Flew over the lava fields to Owyhee River Canyon. Too beutiful to describe and pictures don't represent it to the full extent. Sorry the pictures are in reverse order. Also learned the need to wear darker clothes to avoid a the reflection in the lexan.
Too much fun! Landed on a neat little strip - Owyhee Reservoir State Airport [28U].
This is a backcountry strip that I'd love to spend a week at.
Thursday's Flight to Skinner Ranch
Thursday morning we got up early. No breakfast and just a little coffee! We headed toward Skinner Ranch to remember our friend John W. We miss him a lot!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday AM at the Rock House
Tuesday morning at the Rock House and resting a bit.
Trip stats so far:
Trip Odometer: 2316.6 sm
Moving Average: 78 mph
Total Average: 75.7 mph
Max Speed: 126.7 mph
15 fuel stops
16 landings (not counting a lot of bounces)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Made it to the Rock House!
Well, we made it! We're at the Rock House. Got here this afternoon. Quite an interesting arrival. They mearsure wind different here in Oregon. 6-10, right down the runway tanslates to 20 - 30 almost direct crosswind. It was exciting. The flight from Wendover to the Rock House was fine until we got to Winnemuca. Winds and thermals really started picking up. Cell phone service is almost non-existent. Will download some pics so check back. Going nite nite. This is an incredible place.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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