Logbook for Southern Hospitality Adventure 2009Logbook for Southern Hospitality Adventure 2009
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 1 – August 24, 2009 Corona, CA to Eloy, AZ (4 legs)
It was dark at the hangar as we prepared for the adventure. The moist air was beginning to condense making flight visibilities questionable. Launch now or be prepared to wait out the morning fog, we thought. The newly rebuilt Continental A-75 came to life on the first blade. If that wasn’t a good omen, what could it have been?
Fog gathered in the valleys below us. The sun peeked above the mountains on the horizon, blinding us. Headlights crawled and clawed their way to their jobs. We were content to float above it all filled with great expectations (good name for a book, don’t you think?)
By noon the horizon ahead began to fill with popcorn-like clouds that would mature into Cub-eating mammoths in just a few hours. Our day would end before 2:00 pm.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 – August 25, 2009 Eloy, AZ to El Paso, TX (4 legs)
Rare overcast skies above the desert gave us cool temperatures to enjoy the rugged mountains. It was quite lonely as we crossed range after range of valleys and mountain passes with no signs of life below. In many cases there weren’t even any dirt roads. But the beauty of this part of the southwest cannot be denied.
We would cross this terrain again any day, but have great respect for the ultimate destiny if we had to put down in some of these steep canyons.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3 – August 26, 2009 El Paso, TX to Snyder, TX (3 legs)
It’s almost spiritual to take off and fly into the rising sun. The photos show it. The air was as calm as a whisper and the freshness of the morning can be smelled as we crossed isolated plateaus.
Once through the dreaded Guadeloupe Mountain Pass, the terrain flattens out so much that the curve of the horizon is almost detected. What an immediate stark difference from over two days of mountain on every horizon.
Past Carlsbad Cavern Airport the whimsical crop circles begin to appear. If nothing else, these multicolored quilt-like patterns entertain with their variety of colors and combination of layouts.
Snyder, Texas is a great little town with some very nice folks. Texans have a way with greeting visitors. You’ll leave the state having no doubt about their Texan pride and friendliness.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4 – August 27, 2009 Snyder, TX to Mexia, TX (pronounced Ma hee ah) (5 legs)
Thunderstorms along our entire planned route caused us to completely reroute to the south today. A small spiral note pad is still the best way to deal with these changes.
Central and eastern Texas was beautiful. Even with overcast skies, the variations in the terrain kept us busy looking out the windows.
By the end of the day, we were kept company by numerous turkey vultures that chose to soar at our altitude. They don’t like to give way, so we obliged.
We were chased by a rather large thunderstorm this afternoon. Another 10 minutes at our last fuel stop and we would have been soaked.
Thanks to the unlimited supply of angels, the Cub is in a nice, safe in a hangar tonight and once again, we have a pickup truck to use while we are in town.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 5 – August 28, 2009 Mexia, TX to Camden, AR (3 legs)
The morning air was thick with the moisture from last night’s rains. We lifted off quietly and floated into the morning sky. The sun did its best to burn off the mist that lingered, but the lake was not to be outdone and clouds formed as the warm lake air moved over the cooler shoreline. We found ourselves drifting off course to stay clear of the clouds. Livestock in the pastures grazed without concern for the little Cub above them. Our fifth day had started and where we would finally end the day was as good a guess as anyone could have.
This part of our country has had abnormally high rainfall, while other parts, like south Texas are in severe draught. The greens of the terrain were muted by the heavy mist that was stubbornly filling the Arkansas skies above. The beauty was no less intense.
Afternoon flying is always tenuous in this part of the country. Thunderstorms are all but guaranteed when it is hot and the humidity is so high. That was the case as we attempted to circumnavigate a large cell. Success was temporary because within 20 minutes a solid wall of thunderstorms challenged us to pass. They won!!! We turned tail and headed south to the nearest airport. This is getting to be a habit.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 6 – August 29, 2009 Camden, AR to Hudgin International Aerodrome, TN (5 legs)
Headwinds at altitude meant a ground speed of just over 50 mph…Ugh!!! We found that by going lower we could get back almost 12 mph. The terrain below was solid forests from horizon to horizon. Not a pleasant option for an off-field landing. The little Cub and its new 75 Continental horses reliably pulled us through to our next destination (thanks to the folks at Ly-Con).
The first reward of the long hours of flight came to pass when we landed at Jim and Beth’s International Aerodrome in Tennessee. When we were on final approach, Jim greeted us on the Unicom with advice to just go around the big tree at the approach end of the 3,200 foot turf runway and line up between the forest on the left and right of the runway centerline.
It was a good, but not great landing, and no trees were harmed in the process.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 7 – August 30, 2009 Hudgin International Aerodrome, TN to Richmond, Kentucky (3 legs)
It was going to be a great day to fly as Jim and I stood on his back porch watching the sun struggle to push itself over the tall pine trees. Jim gave us a hand getting ready for departure and waited at mid-field as we taxied back. As we taxied down the turf runway, dew from the morning was collecting on the Cub’s tires a leaped into the air like grasshoppers on sun baked asphalt.
The Cub’s engine, now up to temperature, roared (okay, that was an overstatement, let’s try that again). The Cub’s engine pulled us effortlessly down the runway and up into the awaiting morning sky. Once clear of the tree-line, we turned north, rocked our wings to Jim and greeted a cool and cloudless sky.
For the next few morning hours, we marveled at the beauty of Tennessee and Kentucky as they passed below us like some epic early American novel. We attempted some photos, but to no avail. The beauty of these rolling hills and valleys filled with homesteads was beyond the cameras or photographers ability to capture them.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 8 – August 31, 2009 Richmond, Kentucky to New Philadelphia, Ohio (3 legs)
Departing Richmond, Kentucky meant hours of some of the most enchanting scenery we’ve ever encountered. Rolling hills covered with old-growth trees that sheltered small farms nestled in the valleys below. With each hilltop we crossed, a beautiful valley lay below. Deep green cultivated crops were punctuated by bright red barns and snow white farm houses. Winding two lane country roads disappeared beneath canopies of the outstretched arms of maple and oak trees.
Flying the valleys and climbing to clear the hilltops the Cub and we played like we were kids rolling down steep grass covered hills.
Scores of white birds flew graceful patterns just above the meadows. Horses gathered around a watering hole and dairy cows made their way back to the pasture after being milked.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 9 – September 1, 2009 New Philadelphia, Ohio
Terry and I headed off to Canton, Ohio, by car to the National Football Hall of Fame. Spending the afternoon among all the exhibits gives a true perspective on how far professional football has come over the decades. Later in the afternoon, a brief visit to Amish Country for some unique shops and hardware stores.
The evening was something we never anticipated. We went out to a grass strip where Mark had built an identical flying replica of the 1905 Wright Flyer. Mark flies it! A number of members of EAA Chapter 1077 help in the preparation of the flights. Words cannot adequately express the thrill of seeing history being recreated to an aviator. Suffice to say, it’s a memory that lasts a lifetime.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 10 – September 2, 2009 New Philadelphia, Ohio to Kankakee, Illinois (3 legs)
Rocking our wings as we lifted off to bid farewell to Terry, we knew we would have to return in the future. With the sun at our backs for the first time on the adventure, the hills and farms below passed all too quickly. Morning valley fog nestled in river valleys shaded lucky farms to give them a reason to stay in bed just a little longer.
The hills gently shrank to flat land, but the forested areas remained about the same. Colors now much brighter because of the midmorning sun gave us reason to capture images. Each leg took a little longer because we sometimes circled to get just the right angle on our subject. The Cub is perfect for this type of photography with an open window on the left and open window and door in the right.
Kankakee airfield wasn’t easy to spot as we prepared to enter the pattern. It’s all grass with two runways. We were on downwind before we knew it and set up for a short approach to a wide, smooth, grass runway that greeted our large tires with soft cushiony turf. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 11 – September 3, 2009 Kankakee, Illinois to Blakesburg, Iowa (2 legs)
More so than on a paved runway, our pulses quickened as we rolled down the grass runway. A couple of gentle bumps and we were airborne. Gracefully the little Cub turned from an easterly heading to a westerly heading on course. We backed the throttle off to cruise RPM and the nose settled on the horizon. Finally a tailwind was going to make short work of today’s flights.
Crossing the Mississippi leaves no doubt that we are entering a new state. Iowa greeted us with gentle rolling hills and farmlands meticulously maintained. Blakesburg airport appears on the horizon and we take the opportunity to set up for a short approach.
We will spend the next few days walking among the perfectly restored classic business class airplanes. We will leave here with a profound respect for the individuals who designed and built the original aircraft.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 12 – September 4, 2009 Antique Airplane Association, Blakesburg, Iowa
The atmosphere is very 1940’s with lively discussions about airplanes and adventures. The mood is enthusiastic as friends meet after not seeing each other since last year. The sky is filled with vintage airplanes that span decades of the golden era of aviation. Hot dogs and hamburgers are cooking on a large barbeque, while the smoke temps everyone’s appetite.
After checking the Cubs, who rested quietly overnight among their cousins, Frank and I found seats on the back porch. Now the back porch is a shaded place where one can watch vintage planes arrive and depart. What is most interesting about the “porch” is that every pilot sitting there gives his/her opinion on every landing or take-off. Many of the action photos today were taken from the “porch.”
If aviators have their own special heaven, surely it resembles Blakesburg.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 13 - September 5, 2009 Antique Airplane Association, Blakesburg, Iowa
By 8:30 am the air was filled with the sound of round (vintage) engines. Classic aircraft were converging on Blakesburg faster that the ground crew could find them what was left of the limited parking spaces. Everyone leisurely walked among the beautiful airplanes.
Frank and I drove our Cubs to the fuel truck and topped them off for tomorrow’s early morning flight back to Madison, WI.
Everywhere one looked, the airfield was covered with brightly colored vintage airplanes. The sun was out and the temperature meant that ice cream cones could be enjoyed without melting too quickly. More friends arrived as the day went on. We are really going to miss this place when we turn the Cubs north to Wisconsin tomorrow morning.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 14 - September 6, 2009 Blakesburg, Iowa to Madison, Wisconsin (2 legs)
The Cub looked so cold covered in heavy, wet morning dew. But I seemed to notice some extra spring in his landing gear when I loaded my duffle bag and backpack on seats. He knew we would fly today; not just a trip to the fuel pit to top off his fuel tank.
Wiping the cold droplets of water from his windshield and windows must have felt good after a cold night on soggy grass.
John offered to give me a ‘prop.’ So I got inside, put on the headset and plugged in the radio, turned on the GPS and check the fuel valve. In a clear, proud voice I announced to John, “Throttle closed, brakes set, mags off…give it 6 blades.” John carefully rotated the engine using the propeller a full six blades. He looked me dead in the eye for the next instructions. I poked my head out of the tiny cabin and again in as clear a voice as I could muster in the early morning cold said, “Throttle cracked, brakes set, mags hot…he’ll light in one blade!” John gave the little Continental engine a mighty swing of the propeller and all 75 horses sprang to life. No Harley Davidson ever sounded so throaty or powerful.
With a firm increase in the throttle, the Cub bounced down the grass path between other Cubs who were still asleep. It bounced playfully as if it knew it was going to go for a morning flight. A few photography minded folks trained their cameras on the little Cub as it pranced down the turf taxiway. The deep red morning sun gave each dew drop its own identity in the collective sparkle the Cub displayed as it taxied for takeoff.
There are moments in life that defy an adequate description. Nothing can put into perspective the feeling of a morning flight in a vintage airplane from a vintage aerodrome…nothing.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 15 – September 7, 2009 Madison, Wisconsin
Families are already at the lake, campground or have the Labor Day barbeques started. It’s a perfect day to officially say goodbye to summer, though most of the kids have been in school for a while now. Of all the summer holidays, July 4th and Labor Day stir one’s memories of nostalgic times the most.
Today began an adventure within an adventure. Yesterday on our morning flight from Blakesburg, Iowa to Madison, Wisconsin, Frank’s Cub ran poorly at a fuel stop. He elected to fly home in John’s plane and leave his Cub at the fuel stop. This morning we picked up a flatbed trailer capable of bringing Frank’s Cub back to his hangar (about 100 miles). Tomorrow, four of us will take the trailer back to Frank’s Cub, remove the wings and bring it home.
We should have photos of the event tomorrow night.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 16 – September 8, 2009 Madison, Wisconsin
Up at 5:00 am and in the car and truck with flatbed trailer by 7:00 am we hit the road to pick up Frank’s sick little Cub. The photos page describes it best. Suffice to say we got home by 9:30 pm and were very, very tired.
Tomorrow we’ll drop Frank’s Cub off at his hangar and get ready for the Brodhead, Wisconsin Grassroots Fly-In.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 17 – September 9, 2009 Madison, Wisconsin
Peering out of the bedroom window, Frank’s Cub was sitting on the trailer in front of his house. It looked sort of funny, an airplane on a trailer, just sitting in the street. After breakfast John, Frank and I would be headed to Frank's hangar.
It only took a fraction of the time to unload the Cub as it did to disassemble it and load it. In short order we were bringing the trailer back.
Tomorrow John would fly his plane to Brodhead and I wouldn’t be far behind in the Cub. Frank was driving his car.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 18 – September 10, 2009 Madison, WI to Brodhead, WI
The Cub was so ready to fly that it started on the first blade after being primed. It leapt into the cool, hazy morning air without hesitation. Dodging 1,500 foot radio towers and setting a course for a fuel stop before landing Brohead kept us busy for a few minutes. After that, the tiny farms and bustling two lane country highways kept us amused.
The soybean fields were turning yellow and the corn is almost ready to harvest. Pumpkin stands in front of farm houses were easily seen with numerous pumpkin piles attracting shoppers.
If Blakesburg was an aviators heaven, then Brodhead is every vintage era enthusiasts ultimate destination. Acres of runway mowed close gives the impression that you can taxi your plane anywhere on the field…in fact, you can.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 19 – September 11, 2009 Brodhead, WI
As we rounded the corner hangar the Cub came into view. Perhaps that was when I first noticed how uniquely he fit in a row of rare classic vintage airplanes. The entire row could have been an isle-way at an aviation museum. The Cub’s bright yellow skin announced its presence while being overshadowed by much larger airplanes. He stood proudly not yielding an inch to his cousins who were much better heeled and lived a life of exceptional wealth.
He was no less admired than his tie down mates. He was approachable and in so many cases reminded pilots of their first flight decades ago. No one ever disrespects the Cub because it is an icon of early aviation.
The sky above the airport began to fill with vintage airplanes making circuits over the field. Hangar queens and museum pieces must be flown here to be completely respected. This fly-in is all about grassroots aviation and flying is a must.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 20 – September 12, 2009 Brodhead, WI
Early morning fog positioned itself just above the corn tassels like an old man warming his hands over a campfire. The sun was a murky orange sphere that backlit the dew on the corn stalks giving a false spring glow to their top leaves. Mailboxes reached into the narrow two-lane country road shaded by enormous oaks. Morning had arrived on what would be one of aviations signature days of the year…Saturday at Brodhead Grassroots Fly-In.
Our shoes were soaked by the deep dew laden runway grass in just minutes. A small inconvenience by comparison to walking between the rows of 1930’s and 1940’s era airplanes. Even a small child with a point and shoot camera would be hard pressed not to capture the spirit of vintage aviation this morning.
And then they came, those who waited until today to arrive. The sky announced their arrival with the low drone of radial engines. In near perfect succession they landed to fill what was left of the turf parking areas. Their fabric finishes gleamed in the morning light. Their owners climbed out with every ounce of rightfully earned pride a vintage aircraft owner should have.
It took little imagination to feel the Golden Era of aviation on the field this one warm September Saturday in Wisconsin. Burgers, brats, and soda’s were the fare for lunch. Laughter, stories of flights long ago and renewal of friendships continued through the afternoon. We chose to take a flight so the Cub could see the aerodrome filled with its relatives. We were amazed at how many planes were comfortably nestled into this very average sized rural airstrip.
By dinner time, the field began to empty as the day trippers left for home. It was exactly like waking up from a surreal dream that we hoped was a reality while we slept. A perfect amber sun departed the skies behind corn tassels that would greet it in the morning.
That one perfect September day in Brodhead was now a warm memory in hundreds of aviator’s minds. For those who came, it will be remembered as, “the ’09 fly-in and wasn’t it great weather.”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 21 – September 13, 2009 Brodhead, WI to Dyersville, Iowa (2 legs)
Packing our bags with considerable regret, we hoped to return next year to Brodhead. Lugging the back pack and duffle bag to the Cub across the wet grass we reluctantly preflighted the Cub and said our goodbye’s to Frank, John and the Piper Family.
We flew over the field at the appropriate altitude and rocked our wings goodbye to the few remaining on the field. Turning on a west compass heading for Dyersville eased the sadness we felt in watching the perfect Wisconsin farms drift below us.
In a short time, the Mighty Mississippi was under our wings with Dubuque, Iowa on the horizon to our left. For the next hour, the terrain of Iowa would provide shapes and colors that kept our Nikon busy. We were excited to see Dave and Joan again.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 22 – September 14, 2009 Dyersville, Iowa
Dave’s Ercoupe toddled down the Dyersville International Aerodrome’s flawlessly maintained turf runway with the Cub not far behind. The Cub lifted off first with the Ercoupe doing its best to fly slow enough not to pass it.
Glancing down at the crops below, both of our shadows could be easily distinguished in flying formation. With minimal radio communication, Dave and Joan landed at the grass strip in Amana (Yep, the town that made appliances among other things). We walked to the town and enjoyed a local favorite lunch followed by some tourist-like shopping.
On departure, Dave again shadowed the Cub as we landed at Monticello, Iowa for fuel and the brief trip back to Dyersville. Dave and I have been planning this type of flying day trips for months. We had perfect weather. Tomorrow we fly up the Mississippi to visit some more quaint places.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 23, 24 – September 15, 16, 2009 – Dyersville, Iowa
A second day of flying with Dave and Joan in perfect late summer weather was quite inviting. We headed north to land at Cassville which is on the Mississippi River. From Dyersville the terrain becomes increasingly hilly with small family farms tucked perfectly into the miniature valleys between the forested hills.
When the grand old Mississippi appears after crossing the last bluff, it was hard not to be consumed by the grandeur of its size. Dave announced he would land first and easily pulled ahead of the struggling Cub. We were on downwind when his Ercoupe touched down and rolled smoothly down the runway. We squeaked the tires and rolled a short distance before back-taxiing to the parking area.
After lunch we boarded our planes (without removing our shoes and walking through a metal detector). We followed the Mississippi shoreline and admired the bluffs until we reached Prairie Du Chien, on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi river. The delta provided a perfect location for this modern airport.
The flight home found us following the valleys in search of leaves that had begun to turn to autumn colors. It was liberating to float along following our eyes to whatever place we chose to investigate for a possible photo. Northeastern Iowa is a target-rich environment for anyone with a camera.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 25 – September 17, 2009 – Dyersville, Iowa to Knoxville, Iowa (2 legs)
There is something intensely exciting about having your friends fly next to you in their plane. We do not fly too close, but can still see each other without any problem. Glancing down at the fields below, our airplane’s shadows betray our formation flying skills.
We stopped in Sully, Iowa for lunch. The grass strip is actually in town, so walking to the café was a 10 minute process. The homemade food was delicious and that goes for the homemade cherry pie… I did mention it was homemade didn’t I?
We landed in Knoxville, IA where Dave and Joan are attending an Ercoupe fly-in this weekend. We’ll be leaving at sunrise with my compass heading southwest. Turning for home after being gone almost 4 weeks is bittersweet at best. Leaving my friends behind and crossing the mountains makes them seem so far away.
Tomorrow at dawn will come much too quickly. If it weren’t for it being such a special day, we would be saddened by the first sign the adventure is winding to a close. Come back tomorrow to see just why it is such a special day.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 26 – September 18, 2009 – Knoxville, Iowa to Larned, Kansas (4 legs)
Maybe it was the warmth of the late summer morning sun that heated the ponds, rivers and creeks to make them boil. Or maybe it was the spirit of summer leaving the chilled earth before old man winter arrived. But in any case, soft white wisps of fog hovered over every body of water within sight. At times it clung to the branches of the trees that were guarding the ponds and creeks. At other times it billowed into cloud-like cumulus imitating miniature summer thunderheads.
The crops too gave the impression that some were ready for fall while others ignored the cool temperatures and remained verdant green. Regardless, harvest was coming soon.
Today was the Cub’s 70th birthday. We had a surprise party for it at the airport replete with candles and party hats. I know, I know, we’ve gone too far this time.
After nearly 4 weeks on the adventure, we finally got a chance to race a train. We circled in front of him to let him know we meant business. Then we gave him a head start. All of his grain cars were empty so we figured it was a fair race. He roared down the tracks and for a moment we thought we might not catch him. But birthday Cub was not to be denied. An early morning victory was assured.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 27 – September 19, 2009 – Larned, Kansas to Tucumcari, New Mexico (4 legs)
Before dawn the world of natural beauty sleeps until awakened by the sun. Like a half awake, half sleeping child, the earth gives clues that it wants more time to fully awaken. Tops of trees greet the first rays of the sun, gaggles of birds begin their daily quest for food, but the ground resists the warm sunlight by covering itself in a blanket of fog. Ponds and streams follow suit. With your back to the rising sun, the ground-level overcast is barely perceptible. But turn 180 degrees, face the morning sun and that thin white veil of fog is readily discernable.
The terrain has steadily become flatter and has lost much of its color as we fly southwest. Greens and gold have now transitioned to brown and tan. Creeks and rivers are less abundant. Roads are few and much further between.
Soon the nondescript circle farms and ranches will rise into mountains. Tomorrow we’ll cross our first mountain range as we continue home.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 28 – September 20, 2009 – Tucumcari, New Mexico to Grants-Milan, New Mexico (3 legs)
The door-less hangar was still dark from the evening sky, but the shiny yellow Cub inside could be easily seen with its spinner pointed toward the sky. Cubs are the youthful expression of the joy of flight. They remind us of puppies; playful, a bit awkward, and always glad to see you.
With the wheel chocks removed, the Cub was gently pushed into the predawn morning’s light breeze. It took a flashlight to do the preflight and load the baggage. Two pushes on the primer, four blades, throttle cracked, mags hot and one blade broke the silence on the tarmac.
Soft orange skies backlit the windsock as we taxied for takeoff. The Cub bounced along the old military training runway until it became airborne. At that precise moment, all things land bound are in awe of this talented 70 year old creation.
Turning to our course, the headwinds were stronger than expected. We had two choices; complain or consider the possibilities of flying really low and extremely sloooooowwwwly. We chose the latter.
Central New Mexico along the old Route 66 has little to offer the sightseer. Though nondescript wouldn’t be a fair way to express it. By afternoon, we had arrived at Grants, New Mexico. On final, the winds kept trying to push us off the centerline of the runway. The little Cub did its best to hold course and centerline. The control stick and rudders were in constant state of change. With one wheel finally planted on the ground, we eased the other wheel, then the tailwheel. We had become one with the earth again.
After fueling, we noticed huge Cumulous Nimbus Abundus Alotus over our next leg. (Okay, I added the Abundus Alotus because I love the sound of Latin words even if I have to make them up).
Tonight we would be the newest temporary residents of Grants, NM. Tomorrow at dawn, we’d be gone.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 29 – September 21, 2009 – Grants-Milan, New Mexico to Wickenburg, Arizona (4 legs)
The streets were wet on this dark September morning on the way to the airport. Those rain clouds emptied their moisture at some point in the night. As we pulled into the airport parking lot, the headlights of the courtesy car found the Cub still chained to the tarmac. He was soaked and standing in a pool of 48 degree rainwater. I grabbed a towel and began wiping the windshield, leadingedge and struts more out of a sense of guilt for leaving the Cub outside all night than out of necessity.
True to form, with two shots of prime, six blades and hot mags, the next blade brought the sleeping Continental horses to life. It would take several minutes for the engine oil to get to operating temperature. It was cold at the 6,540 foot airport elevation, but it would be colder inside the Cub’s cabin at cruise altitude.
We aren’t exactly sure why it surprises us when the Cub’s wheels leave the earth at dawn. The still air makes climb-out a religious experience. If you have experienced it, you know what we mean.
Our route of flight took us past Route 66 Indian shops. Colorful billboards were easy to read at our altitude. At one point, I checked the Interstate signs to see how far it was to the next town. Some of the terrain we flew over towards the end of the day wasn’t for the faint of heart (which includes us). But we made it safely and have committed some new prayers to memory.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 30 – September 22, 2009 – Wickenburg, Arizona to Chino, California (3 legs)
Preflight in the dawn hours with the warm dry desert wind much stronger than normal should have told us something. Though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, something just told us this wouldn’t be a normal day. We used very little runway on takeoff. About 100 feet above the ground the turbulence began, BUT there was a nice tailwind that gave us a ground speed of over 100 mph at times.
Blythe, CA the winds were down the runway at over 25 mph. Now the Cub lands at 38 mph. If they charged a landing fee based on how much of the runway a pilot used; they would have owed us money.
To be on the save side, we called ahead and got the weather at both Thermal (near Palm Springs) and Corona (our home base). The winds were light and variable.
Thermal’s weather was as stated and we landed 110 feet below sea level to get fuel for our last leg of the adventure, or so we thought.
The crosswinds at Corona were so strong that on final approach we used almost full power to hold centerline with a full slip and were not successful. We calculated the gusty winds at over 50 mph at 200 feet above the ground. A call to Chino control tower only 6 miles north got us a straight in on runway 03 which was nearly straight into the gusty winds.
The Cub spent yet another night in a hangar waiting for the winds to decrease. I, on the other hand, got to sleep in my bed at home.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 31 – September 23, 2009 – Chino, California to Corona, California (1 leg)
The Cub and I have an agreement, the adventures do not end until we are both home. So today is officially the last day of the Southern Hospitality Adventure 2009.
We departed from Chino, CA on a hot, windless morning after being cleared for takeoff by the tower controller. One bit of irony that needs to be told. We had flown completely across America for 31 days and never spoke to Air Traffic Control. We simply stayed outside of their airspace. We were pretty smug until the winds at Corona gave us no choice. The controllers at Chino did an outstanding job realizing the little Cub had its hands full making it to the runway. We’ll never forget how well they handled the situation.
The Southern Hospitality Adventure 2009 was far more successful than we imagined. Weather was very good most every day. But what we will remember most are the people along the way. From those who were so kind as to let us stay with them to old friends and new people we met. Their hospitality speaks volumes about everyone in general aviation.
“If you think aviation is just about flying, you are missing the adventure.”
Thanks for coming along. We enjoyed your emails and comments.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statistics:
Number of days on the adventure: 31 days
Number of statute miles flown: 6,014 miles (the GPS kept track)
Number of legs: 71 legs
Longest leg: 2 hours, 4 min.
Shortest leg: I believe its my left leg from the crosswinds.
Flight time: 83 Hours
Gallons of fuel: 392.75 Gallons
Average gallons per hour: 4.7 GPH
Engine mechanical problems: NONE
Airframe mechanical problems: NONE
Number of photos taken: 5,478 photos
____________________________________________________________________________________________________