Progress report on the grass-strip tour

[gibbons]

Diana,

I hope today finds you in a better frame of mind and back in the air. Remember, you're living the dream!

Driver: "Taking a trip?"
Bronson: "What's that?"
Driver: "Taking a trip?"
Bronson: "Yeah."
Driver: "Where to?"
Bronson: "Oh, I don't know. Wherever I end up, I guess."
Driver: "Pal, I wish I was you."
Bronson: "Really?"
Driver: "Yeah."
Bronson: "Well, hang in there."

I'm changing your nickname from Hammerhead to Bronson. See you soon at Gaston's!!

 

[SCCutler]

Diana,

I hope today finds you in a better frame of mind and back in the air. Remember, you're living the dream!

Driver: "Taking a trip?"
Bronson: "What's that?"
Driver: "Taking a trip?"
Bronson: "Yeah."
Driver: "Where to?"
Bronson: "Oh, I don't know. Wherever I end up, I guess."
Driver: "Pal, I wish I was you."
Bronson: "Really?"
Driver: "Yeah."
Bronson: "Well, hang in there."

I'm changing your nickname from Hammerhead to Bronson. See you soon at Gaston's!!

Mercy, me! Never thought I'd see "Then Came Bronson" quoted from (that is what it's from, right?). This place is some kind of treasure.

Diana, if (by chance) you are not yet in the air, cruise on northwest towards Shreveport, where you can stop, buy gas and evaluate. By then, the path west should be good, and to the west, there be friends.

You are and remain

Our Hero.

 

[Diana]

Well, after a few more tears and more soul searching, I’ve decided to continue the western part of this trip in the fall. Dave and Spike, I hope I haven’t disappointed you. It’s going to be very hard to explain this to my son in Denver…he will likely be upset with me, but I hope he will understand.

I’m going to take the advice of a good friend of mine and follow my heart.

The attempt to get back to the farm will likely be a challenge with this unstable weather. I might try to make it to Sulfur Springs, TX (SLR) and then on to Tenkiller Lake Airpark, OK (44M). The way things have been going lately, who knows where I will be able to land or how long I will need to stay there before safely moving on.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and support.

 

[Diana]

I'm changing your nickname from Hammerhead to Bronson.

Sounds good! Besides, the shorter name will fit better on the door of the Citabria.

 

[wsuffa]

The way things have been going lately, who knows where I will be able to land or how long I will need to stay there before safely moving on.

Sorta like that first trip to Gastons?

I don't see as anyone could be disappointed if you follow your heart. That's what this trip is all about, isn't it?

 

[Missa]

Dave and Spike, I hope I haven’t disappointed you. It’s going to be very hard to explain this to my son in Denver…he will likely be upset with me, but I hope he will understand.

The only people who get upset when a pilot cancles a trip is a non-pilot (or a reckless one). Pilots understand what it's like to have to make that kind of call. They may get dissaponited that they don't get to see you, but not dissapointed in you for making the best flying decision for you.

Missa
Fly safe and have fun!

 

[SCCutler]

The only people who get upset when a pilot cancles a trip is a non-pilot (or a reckless one). Pilots understand what it's like to have to make that kind of call. They may get dissaponited that they don't get to see you, but not dissapointed in you for making the best flying decision for you.

Missa
Fly safe and have fun!

^^^^^
What she said.

Diana is in charge of taking care of Diana, first. You'll get home today, just take it easy. We'll lure you down here soon enough!

Be safe, and we'll see you at G07!

 

[gibbons]

Sounds good! Besides, the shorter name will fit better on the door of the Citabria.

This would fit even better.

(It's the icon Jim Bronson had on the gas tank of his Sportster)

 

[gibbons]

Good call Diana. This seems like the perfect time to head to the farm and regroup, get ready for Gaston's, and plan the follow-up trip (if it is to be). Have a great trip back to the farm and a happy homecoming!

 

[gismo]

With all you've been through lately, I'll bet that the farm (and Tom) will never have looked so good as it does when you return.

Have a safe flight back and KEEP SMILING!

-lance

 

[etsisk]

AND she can then get a BRONSON ROCK!!

That's the rock he'd find on the side of the road, when the bike broke down. If you have a Bronson Rock you can change a flat, change a piston, rebuild the lower end - all by just hitting it with the rock a time or two!

Diana, wherever you are right now, don't forget you're being held close in lots of hearts, all over the country, and surrounded by folks who would do anything they could for you - so your options are actually much broader than you might realize, sitting there by yourself drinking a vending machine Diet Coke. Don't forget that, kiddo - hell, just ask Henning.

And motel pizza delivery and Law & Order reruns till 3 a.m. are part of what heaven is made of!!

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I’m going to take the advice of a good friend of mine and follow my heart.

Great advice and no one second-guesses your decision. Flying should be fun and a happy experience! Raincheck. Literally.

 

[Diana]

With all you've been through lately, I'll bet that the farm (and Tom) will never have looked so good as it does when you return.

Have a safe flight back and KEEP SMILING!
-lance

Thanks Lance, and everyone else!

I guess I'll have to watch the Bronson movie everyone is talking about.

I'm now in a nice hotel with a scenic view overlooking the Red River watching the storms blow through (storms have been constant in all four quadrants today). Hopefully tomorrow I can work my way up to a few more grass strips on the way home. There may be more storms to dodge, but hopefully not as many as today.

Here are a few more photos of the trip so far. Can anyone name the two interesting airplanes?

The gentleman in the photo with me is Bob, a physician in AR. He and his wife run a lovely B&B. They will drive out to the airport to pick pilots up. Bob and his wife are both pilots and he used to own a Champ with a Franklin engine. Bob's lawyer friend called him "Boardin' House Bob" while he was hanging around at the airport and fueling my airplane.

 

[Diana]

Great advice and no one second-guesses your decision. Flying should be fun and a happy experience! Raincheck. Literally.

Dave, I'm sorry I couldn't make it out there. This regret will go in the chapter of Good Intentions. Thank you for understanding.

 

[etsisk]

COOL!! A bright yaller Lionheart!! Gotta love those modern Staggerwings!

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Dave, I'm sorry I couldn't make it out there. This regret will go in the chapter of Good Intentions. Thank you for understanding.

Your only problem now is that Spike and I, and our girls might knock on your door some day soon!

 

[bbchien]

Re: Ant & Lionheart

Good on you, Diana.

We'll expect a power point at Gaston's )) if you can muster it. For everything there is a season....a time to rest, a time to relax. And mostly a time to have comfort and company.

After all, It's SUPPOSED to be fun.

PS. I like "Hammerhead" better than Bronson. Bronson impressed me as a lonely guy.

 

[jshawley]

OH! MY!! GOODNESS!!

Here I was, gonna clean house, and stopped to surf, and (while not quite noticing the clues in some of the other threads) stumbled on this wild, crazy, and exciting odyssey you've been on, Diana! All my plans went out the window .

I had no idea! I'm really speechless. Like the others, I can't wait for the book (which I do hope you'll write). I've read all the good times, and I've vicariously experienced all the adversity you've gone through. And through it all, I can only say I wish I were there too (as do all of us, I'm sure).

Keep flying safe, young lady!

Jim

 

[Diana]

Your only problem now is that Spike and I, and our girls might knock on your door some day soon!

I can only hope!

 

[Diana]

We'll expect a power point at Gaston's ))

For everything there is a season....a time to rest, a time to relax. And mostly a time to have comfort and company.

What a nice way to sum up what I really need right now. Thank you Bruce.

The destinations/airports that I chose were certainly more inconvenient and caused more problems for me, but those were the ones with more character and the kind of people (when there actually WERE people) that I wanted to meet. I have made many new friends on this trip and have met some unforgettable people. It's overwhelming how many have helped me in so many ways. People have opened up their homes, given me rides, fed me, taken me flying, and have generally taken care of me. They have fixed things on the Citabria and I can't count how many times someone has notice a loose or missing screw and replaced it. Things that others have done for me and for my airplane is one of the many, many positive aspects of this journey.

BTW, I always keep the airplane key in my pocket and check to make sure it's there every time I get ready to shut the door.

 

[Diana]

Here I was, gonna clean house, and stopped to surf, and (while not quite noticing the clues in some of the other threads) stumbled on this wild, crazy, and exciting odyssey you've been on, Diana! All my plans went out the window .

I had no idea! I'm really speechless. Like the others, I can't wait for the book (which I do hope you'll write). I've read all the good times, and I've vicariously experienced all the adversity you've gone through. And through it all, I can only say I wish I were there too (as do all of us, I'm sure).

Keep flying safe, young lady!

Jim

Hey Jim, reading the forum is MUCH better for you than cleaning house.

Some of the lowest times weren't posted here, so you'll have to read the book for those. It seems to have been a trip of extremes from day to day.

I'm glad to see that you are out flying again.

 

[Everskyward]

I guess I'll have to watch the Bronson movie everyone is talking about.

"Then Came Bronson" was a TV series, one of my favorites as a kid. For whatever reason I wanted to be him which I guess was an odd thing for a young girl. Maybe that's why when I got old enough to drive I would go for aimless trips alone in cars, motorcycles, whatever. I've love to do a trip like yours in an airplane! Hang in there!

 

[Diana]

"Then Came Bronson" was a TV series,

Oh. I bet there is a way to get ahold of some of those old episodes. Was that about the time "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was on?

one of my favorites as a kid. For whatever reason I wanted to be him which I guess was an odd thing for a young girl.

I suppose we all want to be free spirits, in a way.

I've love to do a trip like yours in an airplane! Hang in there!

Right about now, I'm wishing I had the avionics that you normally have. It looks like I will have a small window to get out of LA...it's marginal at best right now and storms will be here this afternoon. Such is the gulf.

It has been great to be able to drink sweet tea and eat grits down south. What was a surprise is that different people started calling me "Maam" in southern Arkansas and here in LA. Kinda nice...makes me feel less like a tomboy.

 

[TeenDoc]

Hi Diana,

Never let the thought of being a disappointment cross your mind. You are truly an inspiration to many of us. You have particularly inspired the young person who wrote this beautiful poem. I think you need to read this:

I have a flying spirit,
I find it in my plane,
It keeps me calm and safe,
It holds me dearly in the air,
It will not let rain stop me,
It floats above the clouds, free to roam about.

I have a flying spirit. I find it in my plane.
I have a flying spirit,
That spirit lives in me,
the lifting, flying spirit saves me.

Elizabeth
Age 10

This is the poem I read every day before walking up to the hospital to make rounds.

 

[Everskyward]

Was that about the time "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was on?

Dunno about "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." but this says Bronson was on in 1969-70. http://www.thencamebronson.tv/index.html Geez, they have sites about everything.

I suppose we all want to be free spirits, in a way.

Definitely, although in my younger days I was perhaps a little too "free".

Right about now, I'm wishing I had the avionics that you normally have.

I understand that. I am spoiled!

What was a surprise is that different people started calling me "Maam" in southern Arkansas and here in LA. Kinda nice...makes me feel less like a tomboy.

LOL. For whatever reason people call me "maam" a lot. I guess they can't think of what else to call me. I guess that's better than when I'm sitting with a group of pilots and someone addresses us all as "gentlemen".

 

[Kaye]

LOL. For whatever reason people call me "maam" a lot. I guess they can't think of what else to call me. I guess that's better than when I'm sitting with a group of pilots and someone addresses us all as "gentlemen".

Received my non-owner aviation insurance renewal the other day addressed to "Mr. Clark".

 

[gibbons]

PS. I like "Hammerhead" better than Bronson. Bronson impressed me as a lonely guy.

I dunno Bruce. He was too cool to be lonely. Cool in a James Dean wanna-be sort of way.

"Then Came Bronson" was a TV series, one of my favorites as a kid.

But it was originally a TV movie.

Oh. I bet there is a way to get ahold of some of those old episodes.

Not that I've found. The movie and the series are unreleased.


Let us know when you get back to the farm!!!!!

 

[Diana]

Hi Diana,

Never let the thought of being a disappointment cross your mind. You are truly an inspiration to many of us. You have particularly inspired the young person who wrote this beautiful poem. I think you need to read this:

Wow. Gil, thank you for this. I hadn't read her poem in quite awhile. OK, cry #5 has been logged. Gil, you have certainly made my day more positive, and you have given me a new perspective on things.

This is the poem I read every day before walking up to the hospital to make rounds.

How neat! I'll pass that on to Elizabeth...she would be touched. She really is a sweetheart, and a gifted writer. Her insight astounds me sometimes.

 

[Diana]

Let us know when you get back to the farm!!!!!

Will do! It was supposed to be today, but the weather is poop. More decisions. For now, my beloved Citabria is safe in a hangar, and I'm in a good (and safe!) place and am back to eating regular meals again. So, maybe it's smart to stay put till the bad weather passes this part of the country. It will be a good time to sit and write thank-you notes to a whole lot of thoughtful, generous, and kind people who reached out to help a stranger passing through.

 

[Diana]

Ackkkkk. I can't get out here! I found out that Alexandria is a "fog hole". More storms coming. This is frustrating.

 

[N50909]

Hey Diana,

I want to thank you for sharing your journey with us. I'd love to something similar someday, but family commitments mean that's out of the question for quite a while.

You've allowed us to live through your journey and at least experience a small bit of your adventure.

Thank you!!

 

[gismo]

Ackkkkk. I can't get out here! I found out that Alexandria is a "fog hole". More storms coming. This is frustrating.

If you're not out buy the time I get to Gaston's, maybe Tom and I can fly to you for a "rescue".

 

[Diana]

Hey Diana,
I want to thank you for sharing your journey with us. I'd love to something similar someday, but family commitments mean that's out of the question for quite a while.

Andy, someday you will get to go on your journey. It's tough to wait while family priorities take precedence. Maybe your son will want to go with you when he gets a bit older.

I'm very fortunate to have a husband who has been extremely supportive of my trip. He's one in a million.

You've allowed us to live through your journey and at least experience a small bit of your adventure.

Thank you!!

Andy, how nice of you to say. Thank you.

There have been some ups and downs on this trip, and some disappointments and some unexpected acts of kindness from so many people. Pilots are such a special group of people...we take care of our own. The things that people have done for me and are still doing (thanks Chris and Bobby for the possible hangars on the remaining legs yet to be flown!) have touched my heart.

 

[Diana]

If you're not out buy the time I get to Gaston's, maybe Tom and I can fly to you for a "rescue".

Hey, I've even wondered if I will still be here for a few weeks and will end up going straight there from here!

 

[SCCutler]

Lordy me, you're still there?!?

Hang in there, sweet thang.

 

[tonycondon]

diana, after watching that line go through today, i think we all should be happy you stayed in Louisiana. the air behind this cold front should be good for you, no?

 

[Diana]

Lordy me, you're still there?!?

Yep. But it smells nice where I am, and I'm on my way down to the lounge for a glass of Merlot. I'll take some cheese with my whine, please.

 

[Diana]

diana, after watching that line go through today, i think we all should be happy you stayed in Louisiana. the air behind this cold front should be good for you, no?

Well, I think the front is going to stall out back home. Funny about my no-go decision today. It was the usual IFR morning here and to the north of here with storms to again pop up after the fog lifted. I decided to stay since I'm OK here and the Citabria is still in a hangar. Then I watched the radar and saw that I might have been able to beat the storms if I would have left around noon. Oh, well. There is now a beautiful rainbow over the Red River. I think that must mean something.

 

[tonycondon]

well lift up a glass for me diana. have a great time! the time that you dont spend flying is often the most interesting part of a flying trip.

 

[Diana]

well lift up a glass for me diana. have a great time! the time that you dont spend flying is often the most interesting part of a flying trip.

Another meal in another restaurant in another town and another glass of Merlot later. I started writing my first song. Feel free to help me out here and add your own lyrics:

I'm stuck in Texarkana,
And I can't get home.
It's our anniversary,
And I'm all alone.

In the background you can hear those brace wires being strummed to the
key of B flat.