Anyone Near The Following...

EdFred

Taxi to Parking
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White Chocolate
...or along the route of?
Note: Edited routing

Hastings, MI ->
KFCM* KCUT KBZN* KCOE 55S KMMV* KMFR KRNO* KBCE KFMN* KTAD KLBL KOUN* 08MO* KSUS -> Hastings, MI
* - indicates overnight.

Starting the evening of May 13th I will be departing on a week long sight-seeing adventure. Getting arial views of Mount Rushmore, Mount Ranier, Crater Lake, Mount Shasta, a lot of desert, a few canyons, and a lot of open fields.

Route length ~ 3900miles.
Time Enroute ~ 32:30

Looking for any relatively short detours, free lunches :D, "must-sees", or "no, don't go theres" along the way.

The journey will take place, solo, in a '69 Cherokee 180, with a laptop, a camera, a weeks change of clothes, and hopefully, in good weather.
 
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That sounds like more fun than ought to be legal! I could offer a free lunch at KRAP, but my Bro-in-law would have to buy...good luck getting him to anty up for anything! :)
 
KELN is on the other side of the Cascades from me. Dee isn't too far from there. While you're in our neck of the woods, be sure to check out Mt. St. Helens. Just watch the TFR around it (this TFR has a legitimate reason for existing!). Hope the fire season doesn't start early due to our dry winter, or you won't be able to see much of anything due to the smoke.

Fly safe and have fun.
 
Let me know when you plan to be at KCOE, it's only about 20 miles from me. Might be able to find a lunch or something!

Mark
N5641B
 
I'll stay in touch with Diana and see if we can't hook up when you reach Twin Oaks.

Chip
 
I did notice the TFR around M.St.H. Yeah, I have no desire to ingest Volcanish Ash into my system, or the planes! For any of you western folks, any good/bad passes crossing the mountains? I am IR and slant G but would rather limit my mountain flying to VFR considering the non pressurized aircraft and no oxygen system on board. This will be my first mountain flying experience, but I'm not planning on doing any canyon flying or going into any airports that are "tight" so I am not thinking a mountain course is necessary. I'll just watch for the 30kt winds and any lenticular clouds. :)
 
gibbons said:
I'll stay in touch with Diana and see if we can't hook up when you reach Twin Oaks.

Chip
Hey, Chip, think you'll have that high wing airplane by then? :)

Ed, I'm glad Twin Oaks is on your route. You're welcome to stay here if it works out with your schedule.
 
N2212R said:
I did notice the TFR around M.St.H. Yeah, I have no desire to ingest Volcanish Ash into my system, or the planes! For any of you western folks, any good/bad passes crossing the mountains? I am IR and slant G but would rather limit my mountain flying to VFR considering the non pressurized aircraft and no oxygen system on board. This will be my first mountain flying experience, but I'm not planning on doing any canyon flying or going into any airports that are "tight" so I am not thinking a mountain course is necessary. I'll just watch for the 30kt winds and any lenticular clouds. :)

On a clear day the Cascades are easy. 9500 MSL east bound, 10,500 MSL west bound and go around Mt. Rainier (I can't get over the the top of it regardless - 14,410). You'll clear everything else nicely. On a cloudy day this VFR pilot goes down to Portland and then up the Columbia River Gorge. Adds a 1/2 hour to the cross state trip (OLM to PUW), but what the heck, it's loggable time! :D

I'll leave the Rockies to others. My flying in that area is limited to a single mountain flying lesson out of Jackson Hole a couple years ago. And we didn't really push anything on that flight.
 
Ed, go just a little farther west than Farmington, NM. Go to Gouldings, which is at 37.02.00N, 110.10.00W. This is the very spot where the calvary comes 'round the Butte, led by John Wayne as shot by the John Ford Production Company. Eat lunch at Goulding's lodge, very nice. The strip lands only one way- to the south. It ends against a road, the lodge is in the Butte across the road.

Monument Valley is also worth a stop, but If I were stretching it I would go to Tusayan. With one up in a Cherokee 180 and fuel to the tabs only, in the cool of a spring morning. Canyon Bar 10 on the north rim is also an excellent stop.

Ahhhh.
 
Bruce, just looked it up. UT25 right? It's right on my way from Cedar City to Farmington (which is where I plan to stay the night) so it may be worth a stop depending on what time of day I get in there.
 
N2212R said:
...or along the route of?

Hastings, MI ->
KMKT* KRAP KBZN* KCOE KELN* KLMT KRNO* KCDC KFMN* KTAD KLBL KOUN* 08MO KSUS* -> Hastings, MI
* - indicates overnight.

Starting the evening of May 13th I will be departing on a week long sight-seeing adventure. Getting arial views of Mount Rushmore, Mount Ranier, Crater Lake, Mount Shasta, a lot of desert, a few canyons, and a lot of open fields.

Route length ~ 3900miles.
Time Enroute ~ 32:30

Looking for any relatively short detours, free lunches :D, "must-sees", or "no, don't go theres" along the way.

The journey will take place, solo, in a '69 Cherokee 180, with a laptop, a camera, a weeks change of clothes, and hopefully, in good weather.

Ed~
As a Spokanite (KSFF), I have a couple of recommendations for you after looking over your itinerary... KCOE is an excellent choice for a little sightseeing excursion around Lake Coeur d'Alene... beautiful country. The SS fuel there at the Air BP facility is often some of the less expensive in the region.

Unless you have relatives/friends at KELN, I can't think of a reason to stop there. Fuel is quite expensive, and the airport is about 3 miles North of Ellensburg with no public transportation or loaner cars available. That said, if you decide to overnight there as shown, there is a place called "The Tav" that serves up a hamburger that pretty well defines what a "$100 Hamburger" should be... called the "Hungry Mother", and is excellent. Due to the nearby Central WA University, the scenery at the bar ain't bad either!

With the Cherokee 180, fuel would not be a problem to make it on over the Cascades to any number of fields in the Puget Sound area. Very recent reports say that the fuel at Scappoose (KSPB just north of Portland is reasonable, or if you want to stop in the Puget Sound area, the reported fuel prices at Shelton, WA (KSHN) Sanderson Field are recently some of the best in the Sound.

You might want to think of fueling up in mid-Oregon at Redmonds (KRDM) Roberts Field. The folks at Butler Aircraft are very nice, offer an AOPA discount, and they operate a fleet of cool old fire retardant bombers (DC-6, 7, etc) that are fun to look at. The fuel prices farther south at Klamath Falls were considerably higher last time I checked. The Cherokee's legs would easily allow a leg from Redmond to Reno.

If for some reason you are going to find yourself in the Spokane area, I always have a spare bedroom available which you are more than welcome to use. Excellent cafe at KSFF, too... don't buy fuel there though - quite high.

You are making me jealous! Sounds like a great time.
 
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Thanks for the advice Don! I've amended my trip to fly into Shelton, WA or Scappoose, OR and then instead of Klamath, Rogue Valley. I just want to make sure I get to see Ranier, and Crater Lake.
 
Ooh. And I didn't see Cedar City. That means a stop at 37.42/112.08 (BCE) Bryce Canyon National Park. The Navajo name for Bryce Canyon is "Round canyon full of men standing in circle". They'll rent you a car from the world's biggest Full timber BARN FBO. It's worth it. Takes about 3 hours to do the whole park, about an hour to just go to the rim and gaze...and gaze...

I could go on and on....

The pic is from Canyon Bar 10.
 
KMKT? How did you choose that place? Just curious, as I went to college just a few miles north of there!

I now live in Minneapolis, but would be glad to swing down to treat you to some of the "local" flavor!

Scott
 
sshekels said:
KMKT? How did you choose that place? Just curious, as I went to college just a few miles north of there!

I now live in Minneapolis, but would be glad to swing down to treat you to some of the "local" flavor!

Scott

It's as far as I wanted to fly on the first night. I'm leaving after work on Friday. Yes, Friday the 13th.
 
I am only a little ways from Diana at twin oaks also, I don't know if my 140 would be alright on the grass strip or not. What do you guys think?
 
Not to discourage you from MKT, but OWA might be a "cooler" stop. They have a Cabellas that will pick you up at the airport (free) with a great motel right next door with a Green Mill on site. OWA is also the site of Rare Air (http://www.rareaircraft.com/) where there usually is something cool to see.
 
bbchien said:
Ooh. And I didn't see Cedar City. That means a stop at 37.42/112.08 (BCE) Bryce Canyon National Park. The Navajo name for Bryce Canyon is "Round canyon full of men standing in circle". They'll rent you a car from the world's biggest Full timber BARN FBO. It's worth it. Takes about 3 hours to do the whole park, about an hour to just go to the rim and gaze...and gaze...

I could go on and on....

The pic is from Canyon Bar 10.


Hmmm...a stop in BCE for fuel looks better than CDC. Why do I get the feeling this flight is going to look nothing like how I first envisioned it? LOL
 
sshekels said:
Not to discourage you from MKT, but OWA might be a "cooler" stop. They have a Cabellas that will pick you up at the airport (free) with a great motel right next door with a Green Mill on site. OWA is also the site of Rare Air (http://www.rareaircraft.com/) where there usually is something cool to see.


I agree with Scott - OWA! Nice terminal, Cabelas, shuttle and hotels.
Not sure what other stuff is around MKT.
Eric
________
porn star Cams
 
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sshekels said:
Not to discourage you from MKT, but OWA might be a "cooler" stop. They have a Cabellas that will pick you up at the airport (free) with a great motel right next door with a Green Mill on site. OWA is also the site of Rare Air (http://www.rareaircraft.com/) where there usually is something cool to see.

Thanks for the heads up Scott. When I was planning this, the stops were rough changover/rest/fuel points. The only places I am locked into are COE, RNO, OUN, and 08MO. And at least a stop in ID, WA, OR, NV, UT, NM, CO, KS, OK.

Looks like I need to do an airnav fuel search on my approximate stops.
 
OOH! I almost forgot! If you get to STL, you HAVE to go to the City Museum! (http://www.citymuseum.org/) We went there with our kids, and I was all set not to have any fun. Boy was I wrong! Picture a GIANT playground with all sorts of "recycled" stuff - Like a 3-5 floor jungle jim that passes through two Saber 40 aircraft that are WAY up in the air! VERY COOL!

Oddly enough they also have a very fun bar outside with seating for about 5 people. It looks like a kids playhouse.

All in all, its one odd (FUN!) place!

Scott
 
Rudy said:
I am only a little ways from Diana at twin oaks also, I don't know if my 140 would be alright on the grass strip or not. What do you guys think?
Well, that's a good question Rudy. We've never had a 140 land here. I have flown in and out of here in a Cherokee 160 (used to be in the Girard flying Club), but only on certain days when all the conditions were right. We've had several Cherokee 180's in here. One of them couldn't turn around tight enough, and ended up taxiing into the soybeans. Man that airplane was covered with gunk after the prop went through the soybeans!

That will be a good thing to talk to Tom about when you fly with him.

:)
 
N2212R said:
The only places I am locked into are COE, RNO, OUN, and 08MO.

Looks like I need to do an airnav fuel search on my approximate stops.
We have a fuel tank at 08MO, but it's auto fuel. You don't use that in the 180, do you? The local airport (LLU-5 miles away) has 100LL.
 
gibbons said:
:eek:

lord knows I've tried......
Yes, but you mumble when you're up there on the ladder fueling the Citabria and I never really hear all the words. ;)
 
Diana said:
Yes, but you mumble when you're up there on the ladder fueling the Citabria and I never really hear all the words. ;)
Prolly a good thing, don't you think? :)
 
Diana said:
Well, that's a good question Rudy. We've never had a 140 land here. I have flown in and out of here in a Cherokee 160 (used to be in the Girard flying Club), but only on certain days when all the conditions were right. We've had several Cherokee 180's in here. One of them couldn't turn around tight enough, and ended up taxiing into the soybeans. Man that airplane was covered with gunk after the prop went through the soybeans!

That will be a good thing to talk to Tom about when you fly with him.

:)

Yeah sure i will talk to him about it. I would definitely like to be the 1st 140 if its safe of course.
 
Diana said:
We have a fuel tank at 08MO, but it's auto fuel. You don't use that in the 180, do you? The local airport (LLU-5 miles away) has 100LL.

I'll only have burned off 17 gallons of fuel from OKC. I'll get fuel somewhere near STL (another 17 gallons) , and then just a 3 hour hop home.
 
Ed,

I live near Portland, OR and do a couple trips to North Dakota each year. If you're looking to see Ranier, Id go north to SEA along I-90 for your cascade crossing then south to see St Helens. If the weather isnt the greatest, go through the Columbia Gorge (watch out for the winds though lower - it can very rough below about 6000 feet or so with strong east winds). You will frequently see winds at Troutdale in the 30kt range and PDX reporting 10 knots or so in a matter of 8 miles difference.

I too would recommend fuel in Scappoose. I fueled up there last week and it was 2.55 a gallon.

For the Montana portion your route is very good. Nice big I-90 below all the way if you follow from BZN to BTM to MSO to MLP. Will spit you right out at COE. Very scenic too.

One suggestion from experience is to look at the winds at 9 and 12000 over Montana. If they are above about 20 - 25 kts, be prepared for some bumps. If you stay high, (12,500) you will probably do ok but most the times there are airmets out for 14,000 and below for moderate when those winds exist.

If you have extra time and want great pictures, a deviation north to Kalispell and fly around Glacier Park wont be a disappoinment either.

Im based at Camas Grove Field (1W1). feel free to drop in if youd like and say hi. Sleepy airport but great people hanging around.

Fly safe,
Tim
182P
1W1
 
sshekels said:
KMKT? How did you choose that place? Just curious, as I went to college just a few miles north of there!

I now live in Minneapolis, but would be glad to swing down to treat you to some of the "local" flavor!

Scott

Yeah, maybe Scott and I (John Lancaster might be interested also) could hop down to MKT when you arrive. Mankato is so close I could even make the trip in the Porterfield as long as it's in the daylight.

BTW you might want to switch from MKT to FCM as there is $2.40 SS fuel at FCM.
 
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Sounds like a plan, Lance! I had also mentioned, OWA - Cool stuff there.

We could have a "mini-Minnesota" flyin!

S.
 
Looks like I'll scratch MKT and head into FCM. It would be a Friday evening arrival. Leaving 9D9 after work, and about 3 hours to FCM from here. This isn't going to be a "do-stuff" trip, so much as it's going to be a "see stuff" from the air trip, along with meeting a few people along the way. Saturday is going to be my long day with either the overnight in Bozeman, or maybe push it all the way to Coure D'Alene for the night. (Free lodging in COE)
 
Flying Cloud can be difficult to spot from the SE if you're not familiar with the area. At night you'll have the beacon to guide you, but the green flash is pretty weak. There is a VOR/DME on field so you can always find it that way or with GPS, but the landmarks to look for are Valley Fair (big amusement park about a mile south of the field, Canterbury Downs (fancy horse racing facility a couple more miles south, and Majestic Lakes Casino a few miles further south. At night the casino will be lit up bright enough to see for miles. The tower is open until 9PM CST this time of year, after that you use the tower freq for a CTAF and ground (121.7) connects to MSP Tracon for clearances.

GAS and Modern Avionics have SS fuel for the same price and GAS has more parking available. Modern is on the east side of Rwy 18-36 near the south end and GAS is in the NE corner north and east of the arrival end of 28R. If they're closed you can just park anywhere east of the office.
 
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