Logbook for Heartland Adventure 2008Logbook for Heartland Adventure 2008
Putting feelings and observations into words that transcend the moment are rewarded when we read our logbooks a some point in the future. Wait too long to write about a feeling and some of the magic may dissipate.
America never ceases to provide intense memories.
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Day 1 – June 10, 2008 Corona, CA to La Quinta, CA (1 leg)
The Cub’s wheels touched down 110 feet BELOW sea level and we never got wet or had to remove fish parts from our landing gear. Thermal airport (TRM) is one of the few airports with an elevation of 110 feet below sea level. But that wasn’t the difficult part. The afternoon temperature hit 117 degrees F on the tarmac.
Tomorrow we would get a very early start and end our day early.
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Day 2 - June 11, 2008 La Quinta, CA to Willcox, AZ (4 legs)
Pulling the Cub’s prop through before dawn made this surreal moment a reality. Mags hot, throttle open and the 69 year-old Continental horses clattered to life. Even a Harley’s engine can’t match the adrenaline rush of a vintage airplane engine coming to life.
The red morning sun caught the silica landscape still asleep, yawning with its ever decreasing shadows. Dark volcanic mounds distorted the horizon as if to demand validation. We cruised above it all in the smooth, cool morning air.
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Day 3 – June 12, 2008 Willcox, AZ to Slaton, TX (5 legs)
The flight from El Paso, TX to Cavern City, NM would have made Columbus proud. From the Pacific Ocean to just west of Cavern City, NM there are mountain ranges after mountain ranges. But during this one leg of the adventure, the mountains are reduced to complete flat lands never to rise again until the Smoky Mountains. The horizon is as flat as they make em.
We took advantage of racing an eastbound train. Thank goodness for the tailwind… we won! The engineer gave us a toot of the train’s whistle in recognition of our achievement.
East of Gaines County, TX the colorful crop circles appear. Like a giant quilt designed to entertain any pilot low enough to enjoy their patterns.
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Day 4 – June 13, 2008 Slaton, TX to Chickasha, OK (2 legs)
Departing Slaton and the now famous colorful crop circles led us to hope for some new terrain to amuse us. It didn’t take long until we spotted a plume of dust obediently following a tractor. We finally met up with one of the landscape artists that captivate our views of farms below.
Soon we crossed into Oklahoma and were greeted with some of the deepest hues of green contrasted with red soil we have ever seen. One field had yellow flowers which caused us to circle for a better shot.
But on the northern horizon storm clouds marched south and would require us to cut today’s flights short. We landed at Chickasha,OK on a carpet of soft green grass. Yes, angels wept as the Cub’s tires compressed the warm summer grass under their weight.
Today was one of those perfect adventure days. Just check out the photos for Day 4.
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Day 5 – June 14, 2008 Chickasha, OK to Frederick Town, MO (5 legs)
The room filled with a flash of brilliant white light followed immediately by a loud thunderous roar. Twenty minutes later I crawled out from under the bed and hid under the sheets until the storm passed. The weather briefer wasn’t kidding when he said early morning thunderstorms and heavy rain.
When dawn broke, it was clear with only a few lingering clouds at the airport. In a perfect calm that allowed whispers to carry great distances, the Cub lifted off into the moist morning air. That was the last we saw of anything calm for the next two hours.
Twenty-five mph tailwinds had become headwinds on the first leg of today’s flight. We landed short and revised our flight plan for the day. Eventually, the headwinds became mild tailwinds.
Crossing into Missouri the red earth became redder. Rivers gorged with unseasonably heavy rain water overflowed their banks, even though they had yet to crest. This was the second day in a row we felt like flying until dinner time. By every measure it was perfect.
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Day 6 – June 15, 2008 Frederick Town, MO to Delaware, OH (5 legs)
The fog burned off early leaving the air with the same stillness the fog had owned. Lift off was more levitation and climb-out was more of an ascension than fighting the pull of gravity. The earth was fresh with the glistening dew, bringing high definition color to all things alive and growing.
The Mississippi didn’t ‘just keep rollin along,’ it flat ripped at the shore and bridges. From the looks of its color, it took most of Missouri’s red earth with it.
Cutting through Illinois, Indiana and ending up in Ohio for the night provided us with our first pass at the Heartland on this adventure. We can't wait to continue after Lock Haven.
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Day 7 – June 16, 2008 Delaware, OH to Clarion, OH (2 legs)
Though I slept through last nights storm, the Cub evidently didn’t. The Cub had moved a few feet and was strained against the tiedown ropes when I arrived with the baggage. Pointed into the wind, the Cub seemed a little irritated. It wasn’t because of the ropes. As it turns out a rather large bird with diarrhea used the Cub for target practice.
The rolling hills of central Ohio gave way to more pronounced tree-covered slopes with less open space as we headed east. Farms were smaller but no less pristine. One pasture looked rather long and thin as I flew over the hill top. A second glance revealed it wasn’t a pasture at all but rather a grass landing strip with a small hangar at one end and a tidy home and barn at the other. Hmmm, I wonder if they are interested in selling?
Looking out the left window, dark ominous clouds grew into thunderheads all too quickly. We were in a race with the storm to get to Clarion Co. airport. It was a tie. We landed in strong gusty winds. As we taxied the wings lifted a few feet into the air. We were still flying while taxing. Thank goodness we radioed ahead and asked to put the Cub into a hangar until the storm blew over. The airport manager was waiting by the open hangar and when the propeller stopped, he held the upwind wing down while I got out and we pushed the Cub into the hangar just as a microburst hit the tarmac. Hmmm, this is eerily reminiscent of New Philadelphia just two years ago. And like two years ago, I ended up spending the night in town. Perhaps tomorrow the short flight to Lock Haven will be possible.
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Day 8 – June 17, 2008 Clarion, OH to Lock Haven, PA (1 legs)
The sky was cloudy and cold. Drizzle dampened the windscreen as the Cub was being fueled. Doubt was cast as to whether the flight across some pretty rugged terrain was advisable in these weather conditions.
In the end, we felt it was worth the try to make the attempt.
After lift off it was apparent the ceilings were high enough to make the trip. Tailwinds pushed us to the destination we have sought for over a week.
The pattern was quiet at Lock Haven but quite a few Cubs were already tied down. Many more landed before the late afternoon rains.
We had arrived! The family reunion had begun.
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Day 9 – June 18, 2008 Lock Haven, PA “Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven”
If it weren’t for the smell of hickory smoked bacon and just-baked blueberry muffins, I would have pulled the sheets over my head and gotten a few more Zzzz’s. Sharon Best, the innkeeper, was using her culinary skills to awaken her guests. It worked.
It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that the rain stopped for the day. An evening fly-out to a hilltop grass landing strip complete with a barbeque was going to happen. The fly-out tour organizer, Clyde Smith Jr., told us we were going to tour a “Cat House.” I dashed back to my room, put on my last clean shirt and shorts, sprayed on some aftershave and made it back to the Cub in time to be the last plane leaving for the fly-out. Sure enough, on arrival, there was large tent with all the fixin’s of a Barbeque and about a dozen or more airplanes. Half again as many pilots were enjoying some dinner and conversation when Clyde announced, “Time to tour the Cat House.”
Some of us piled into the bed of a pickup truck and down the dirt road we headed. My heart raced!
Our tour guide was the owner, Mr. George Logue. He led us into his Cat House where dozens of vintage Caterpillar dozers were neatly lined up. The 45 minute tour was fascinating. At the conclusion of the tour, one of us asked him if all the dozers were in working order, to which he replied, “Of course, you wouldn’t go to a zoo to see a bunch of dead elephants.”
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Day 10 – June 19, 2008 Lock Haven, PA “Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven”
The sun was out this morning which meant many of the planes that couldn’t get in yesterday might make it today. Indeed by the end of the day, the parking began to fill up nicely.
This evenig the big band music was provided by an orchestra that was as good as any we’ve heard. The pavilion was filled with people enjoying both the music and homemade ice cream. It was a perfect summer’s night where friends and aviation like-minded souls gathered to enjoy a vintage evening.
At times it would be very easy to slip into yesteryear. It was 1940 or at least every sound and conversation would lead you to think it was. People would just strike up a conversation about flying or where they live or what a nice day they had. No discussions about gas prices, politics or social-economic status were brokered.
Mom’s cut their babies food into tiny chewable pieces. Dad’s walked their kids through the rows of airplanes answering questions they most likely had to guess at than truly know. People were genuine and for the next few days, Lock Haven, PA was their home.
This is going to be very difficult to leave… very difficult.
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Day 11 – June 20, 2008 Lock Haven, PA “Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven”
Fly-outs are conducted only after you fly-in; thus the name fly-out. With a 9:00 am departure for about a dozen airplanes the weather was again a factor. But alas, we could make it through if we left as one storm passed and before the next one started. It was worth the gamble to visit the home of the Glen Curtis museum in Hammondsport, NY.
We were last in a flight of three Cubs. No place I’d rather be regardless of the weather. The rest of the airplanes were ahead of us giving weather reports as they neared our destination.
The curator of the museum picked us up at the local airport and drove us to the museum. Wow, that Glen Curtis was one sharp dude. The most commonly heard was expression, “I never knew he invented that.”
They served us lunch but it was interrupted by one of the museum staff announcing a huge thunderstorm approaching for the west. You would have thought they were giving hundred dollar bills away at the airport as we scrambled for the van going back to the airport.
Yep, we all made it safe home after dodging some rather large thunderstorms replete with lightning.
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Day 12 – June 21, 2008 Lock Haven, PA “Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven”
Flying the river valleys and cruising the mountain tops revealed some tiny towns nestled under century old trees. It was Saturday and the rivers and streams had inner tubes and boats with folks just enjoying the sunny weather. Some waved “Hi” others squinted to see what was passing over.
We were a part of their summer afternoon and felt as much apart of their day as if we were going to land and share a burger with them.
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Day 13 – June 22, 2008 Lock Haven, PA to New Philadelphia, OH (3 legs)
Frank and I left right after the fog lifted. Pointed southeast, we flew in tandem across Pennsylvania’s forested hills and valleys. Frank flies by chart and compass, I followed using a GPS. Frank held course better than I could, but then he’s a master at it.
At New Castle, OH, Frank headed for home and we continued on to New Philadelphia, OH.
Terry and Glenn met us and the Cub was spoiled with a spot in a hangar as an approaching thunderstorm arrived. This seems to be a regular occurrence.
The three of us toured the New Philadelphia area.
Tomorrow, the Amish country of Ohio.
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Day 14 – June 23, 2008 New Philadelphia, OH
The Cub slept well in its guest hangar while Glenn, Terry and I headed out to be tourists in Amish country. Yes they drive those tiny black horse-drawn wagons. And yes, their wood craftsmanship is some of the best I’ve ever seen. They were friendly, interesting and very proud of both their religion and their lifestyle.
From kitchen cabinetry to horse-drawn carriages, the woodworking is nearly flawless. Many like us came to visit and I believe left with an appreciation of craftsmanship we thought had long since left our country.
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Day 15 – June 24, 2008 New Philadelphia, OH
Trains were the subject of the day. Dennison, Ohio has the distinction of having been a very large train center. With two large round houses, now long gone, it bustled during the 1930’s through 1950’s.
Like the unique historical significance of most all of the surrounding towns; Dennison was known for providing coffee, donuts and sandwiches to our troops as they stopped enroute before being shipped off to war. Those brave young men and women named the town Dreamville because of the kindness of the town people.
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Day 16 – June 25, 2008 New Philadelphia, OH to Bellefontaine, OH (1 leg)
The weather ahead stopped us after only one leg today. The Cub was tucked safely in a hangar with some new aircraft. Undoubtedly, the Cub will be telling stories of its years in the air and including stories of its owners and pilots. Cubs have a tendency to do that you know.
As this is being typed, the thunder and lightning confirms it was a good idea to stop for the night.
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Day 17 – June 26, 2008 Bellefontaine, OH to Madison, WI (7 legs)
The odds on making it to Madison were not in our favor. But none-the-less, we launched into grey overcast skies. The weather held for the first fuel stop, then things unraveled. An intermediate stop was made because of a slight mechanical issue. We forged on as the skies ahead darkened. Just a slight deviation to the north of course and we’d be in the clear… SUCKER! The darkness grew, so did our pulse. The lightning bolts crashing from the black skies convinced us… an immediate 180 degree turn put us with the torrential storm at our backs. We believed we could out run this baby or be swallowed up.
We landed at Fulton, County, IN. A lady approached us with the fuel nozzle in her hand and asked if we wanted a hangar for the Cub. “YES” came my reply.
We went inside and watched the winds increase from 10 mph to over 30 mph at the peak of the storm. Once the storm passed we were on our way. Behind that storm was beautiful weather that motivated us to push through to our destination.
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Day 18 & 19 – June 27 & 28, 2008 Madison, WI
Gusty winds down the runway meant an elevator ride up to cruising altitude. A turn northward and within seven minutes we’d be landing to meet up with Frank for our Heartland grass strip adventure for the day.
The two Cubs flew in loose formation just above the Wisconsin farmlands. After nearly an hour, Frank cranked his Cub into a tight left-hand turn and announced he was landing. It wasn’t until we followed him that we saw the narrow tree-lined grass runway next to the highway.
Once again, angels wept as the Cub's tires swept across the recently mowed grass runway. The wet grass scattered diamond-like morning dew as the tires pressed their treads deep into the sod. We had arrived at our first stop on today’s adventure.
Coffee, cookies and some aviation conversation with Munsil’s friends who gather on Saturday mornings. We didn’t stay long; we had a few more stops along the way.
Back in the air, the blue sky laced with puffy white clouds set a perfect backdrop for the deep greens of the farmlands below. The landings were challenging with ever-increasing gusty crosswinds. Finally, Mother Nature deposited a dark sky filled with rain, thunder and lightning on the horizon. Frank and I decided to head for home. Good choice Bern.
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Day 20 & 21 – June 29 & 30, 2008 Madison, WI to New Ulm MN (5 legs)
The sky was crystal clear. I knew that first hand because when the Cub was lining up on the runway with its tail on the ground, the view out of the windshield was all sky. My pulse quickend as the throttle was advanced and the large black balloon tires rolled. Soon the Cub’s tail lifted from the ground. Short, quick rudder inputs keep the Cub aligned with the centerline of the runway. In seconds, the Cub was levitating above the earth… we were flying.
We followed the Wisconsin River for miles taking dozens of photos. The abstract shapes of the sandbars could only be enjoyed from the open window of a low, slow flying airplane cruising effortlessly above in the fresh, cool morning light. Each pilot only gets a few morning flights like this in their career. This was one of ours.
Soon Iowa passed under our wings as we crossed the Mighty Mississippi River at Harpers Ferry; a while later Minnesota with its flat green landscape and tree lined rivers and creeks amused us. We landed at Sleepy Eye airport. Lush, manicured grass runways left no challenge for a pilot executing a landing.
We toured New Ulm, MN by air prior to landing. It’s a good way to find the hotels and restaurants. Again, we had a soft, freshly mowed turf runway to ease our descent onto the earth.
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Day 22 – July 1, 2008 New Ulm, MN to Rush, MN (4 legs)
Green and flat wasn’t how we imagined the land of 100,000 lakes. But on departure from New Ulm, MN we had miles and miles of perfectly flat agricultural land.
Once north of Alexandria, MN, the lakes and rolling hills began to appear. While we never tried to count the lakes, we have little doubt there are indeed at least 100,000 of them.
The day ended in Rush City, MN. Crosswinds made our last landing of the day precarious at best. In fact, the Cubs wheels didn’t touch the runway until more that half of the available concrete was behind us… Ughh!
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Day 23 – July 2, 2008 Rush, MN to Dyersville, IA (2 legs)
On a southerly heading the morning sun cast our shadow to the right side of the Cub. It was fun to watch it dance across the fields of alfalfa, then trees, then a stream and over a road. Suddenly another shadow appeared. It was another plane. It was flying in formation with me. I turned my head but the pilot had positioned himself above and behind me so I couldn’t see him. I was afraid to make any quick movements because he might have been very close.
Then the shadow moved further away and there he was. The small P-51 Mustang replica was flying in perfect formation with us not more than ten feet from our wing tip. But it wasn’t a “he” it was a she. Her flaming red hair was held neatly in place by her Bose headset. Her face seemed small behind the over-sized aviator sunglasses and she wore a spaghetti strap white cotton top.
Her black gloved hand tugged at her sunglasses as she smiled and gave me a wink. I was frozen at the Cub’s controls, not knowing what to do next. I managed a smile and I nod. She laughed and blew me a kiss. Then she banked hard right, rolled inverted and gave the little Mustang full throttle. Smoke on, she made a gentle return to level flight and banked to the left. I followed the smoke trail.
She circled a pasture, turned the smoke off and lowered the landing gear. I circled above not wanting to miss a moment of this and the mystery woman. She landed in the pasture and taxied next to some trees. I circled again. She looked up and waved at me inviting me to land. I slipped the Cub in and set up for the landing. She stood with her hands on her hips and a big smile on her face.
The Cub came to a full stop just a few feet from her. I anxiously climbed out of the Cub and promptly smacked my head on the struts; tumbling to the ground with a loud ringing in my ear.
The ringing wasn’t from hitting my head; it was the hotel room alarm clock going off. This was all a dream… darn.
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Day 24 -26 – July 3 - 5, 2008 -Dyersville, IA
Craig was mowing the Dyersville grass strip when we arrived. We circled above him to make him aware of our presents. He pulled the mower off the end of the runway, we circled once more and landed on the turf runway.
Blades of freshly mowed grass danced above the tires as the wheels touch the turf; scattering themselves all over the Cub’s landing gear. By now you realize landing for us is a religious experience. Fact is I do say an occasional prayer on most landing, so I guess that qualifies landings as a religious experience.
Dave and Joan are kind enough to have us as their houseguest (okay, the Cub’s in Dave’s hangar, so both of us are not technically house guests).
We’ll spend a few days enjoying the magnificent Iowa countryside and visiting with many of their friends and family.
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Day 27 - 29 – July 6 - 8, 2008 -Dyersville, IA to Poplar Grove, IL (1 leg)
A small group of folks from Dyersville gathered at the Dyersville International Airport (not to be confused with Denver International Airport) to see us off. Perhaps they really wanted to be sure I was leaving and not just doing more touch and goes. As the Cub's wheels lifted off of the nicely maintained turf, we rocked our wings and they returned the favor by giving us full arm waves. Dyersville should be every pilots stop at least once.
The Mississippi greated us with gusty winds and interesting valleys lined with tall trees. Oh how we wish we had more time to explore some of these hidden treasures.
The lakes and rivers in western Illinios were already filled with boats and skiers making the best of the last of the July 4th weekend. Some of them waved at us as we crossed their paths. Summer was now officially in full swing.
We'll spend a few days in this part of Illinois visiting with my brother and his wife then regretfully turn the nose of the Cub west to continue the adventure home. Stay with us because we want to take the old route 66 back through New Mexico and Arizona.
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Day 30 – July 9, 2008 Poplar Grove, IL – Corning, IA (3 legs)
Even the slight headwind couldn’t spoil this stunning day for us. It was one of those rare crystal clear days where the deep blue sky met the earth without a hazy transition.
Red barns and white crushed gravel country roads were dramatically contrasted against the ever-present deep shades of green crops.
The muddy swollen rivers pushed their way through the country-sides taking crops, roads and mile after mile of top soil. Even the slowest moving rivers were dark brown revealing the earth they had digested.
Hot summer weather gave families time to enjoy back yard swimming pools while others gathered at community pools in an effort to keep cool. Above it all, we cruised in cool dry air, watching a summer’s afternoon lazily pass below our wings.
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Day 31 – July 10, 2008 - Corning, IA to Great Bend, KS (4 legs)
Morning fog and mist hid themselves in every valley. The distant horizon seemed content to remain grey and featureless. Damp cool air rushed in the Cub’s open window and gave me second thoughts about wearing a windbreaker. The rising sun made short work of the fog and haze within a few minutes. We were impressed with the clarity of the crops below that we thought would be non-descript on this cool morning.
The colors below awakened radiating the brilliance of the morning light now full strength. Long dramatic shadows seemed to lend support to trees, bushes and buildings. Leaves rustling in the wind still sparkling from last night’s dew. Inside the homes, breakfast dishes were washed and chores had begun. Dad’s left for work. Kids planned their summer’s day with their friends. Moms smiled knowing summer’s warm weather meant time in the garden.
For us, the Heartland Adventure became a reality. Nearly 4,000 photos and hours of video would keep this memory alive. By day’s end we would fly over the threshold leaving the Heartland and entering the West.
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Day 32 – July 11, 2008 - Great Bend, KS to Liberal, KS (2 legs)
Yesterday’s crosswind landing at Great Bend, KS was… well… challenging. After calculating the crosswind component, we realized it exceeded the Cub’s ability. None-the-less we thought we’d give it a try before heading to another airport.
The automated weather observation service wasn’t kidding. The winds were 24 knots gusting to 32 knots. At first we couldn’t hold centerline much less keep the Cub in a flare. We bounced and bounced down the old World War II B-29 runway. Then the gusts quit long enough for us to plant the upwind wheel firmly on the runway. We held the tail up as long as we could. The gusts started again and lifted the wings even though we were only moving at 2 mph on the taxiway.
Ed met me at the ramp and tied down the upwind wing as I held the brakes and controlled the ailerons to keep the other wing from lifting. Finally, he tied the other wing, the tail and chocked the tires. I shut the Cub’s engine down and emerged from the plane quite humbled.
Today’s landing at Liberal, KS wasn’t as exciting because the wind was mostly down the runway at 25 gusting 37 knots. However, I did have the presence of mind to radio ahead and have two men ready to walk my wings on the ramp. Jon and Emmanuel each took a wing strut and walked me a very long way to the tie downs.
Tonight the Cub is resting inside a nice hangar with other airplanes. I’ll bet it is bragging about its landings the last two days. Cubs do that you know.
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Day 33 – July 12, 2008 - Liberal, KS to Tucumcari, NM (3 legs)
Headwinds in the morning, tails winds in the afternoon and grey lifeless skies added pallor to an already bleak landscape. We had crossed the threshold, leaving the Heartland behind and entering the land before the mountains. Soon even the ever-present crop circles gave way to ranches that span the horizon. Flat featureless land was abundant. Had it not been for some very recent rains that brought color, this landscape would have been a non-descript brown.
Landing at Tucumcari we noticed the horizon to the west had the silhouettes of mountains. Tomorrow we would start our ascent to cross Clines Corners at an altitude of 8,000 feet.
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Day 34 – July 13, 2008 - Tucumcari, NM to Winslow, AZ (4 legs)
The grey skies provided some predawn mist and rain. The Cub's cabin was getting colder the longer we flew west. Our consolation was a slight tailwind which meant we could bypass our next fuel stop in Santa Rosa, NM and proceed to Moriarity, NM.
We just finished fueling at Moriarity when a downpour forced me to seek shelter under the Cub's wing. With time to spare, I broke out my long pants, long sleeve shirt ,wind breaker and changed my clothes hoping to stay warm as we crossed the mountains east of Albuquerque. We crested the range and found the Rio Grande valley dry but still unseasonably cool (make that cold). The tailwind was gone, but thankfully not replace by a headwind. The sun made an occasional appearance through the overcast as we traveled west on Interstate 40 (the old Route 66).
The fuel stop at Winslow, AZ was to be our last for the day. Huge afternoon thunderstorms now guarded the path on our next leg. A courtesy car ride to a hotel; dinner and a good nights sleep was well-deserved.
Tomorrow, we enter the deserts through some valleys southwest of Winslow.
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Day 35 – July 14, 2008 - Winslow, AZ to Corona, CA (5 legs)
Winslow weather didn’t look much better in the morning when we prepared for departure. We had more high terrain to get over. But the clouds and rain stayed conveniently off each of our wingtips and we had a narrow corridor to continue on course.
There are not words to describe entering the Sedona AZ, region. Forests on a high plain give way to the grandeur of red rock canyons that lead to Sedona valley (at least that’s what we call it).
After fuel at Cottonwood we followed the Verde River valley and Interstate 17 towards Phoenix. By the time we reached the Colorado River and the California border, the sun was out and doing its best to heat up the desert soil (make that sand and rocks).
Arriving at Corona, CA had an unreal feeling to it. Could the past 5 weeks have really gone by so quickly? The sensation of achieving almost a hundred hours in the air was overshadowed by vivid memories of the Heartland and the beauty we knew must be experienced again. Yes, we have already begun planning next year’s adventure.
Thanks for coming along. Each night it was challenging to select a few photos from more that 4,000 taken on this trip to post on the website. Knowing they would be shared encouraged us to take even more the next day.
Until next time….