Midwest (NE/IA/MO) destinations

[jason]

The wife just said that she wants us to go flying for my birthday.

She mentioned that she might like to pack a picnic and eat it at some random airport and/or go someplace with a restaurant on the field. The problem is that I've never found any on-field restaurants around here.

So here's my question for the NE/IA/MO pilots...

Do any of you know a good airport for a picnic? It has to be within 100-150 NM of KLNK. Also, I'm renting, so it has to be paved.

If not, how about a decent place to fly and dine?

 

[Steve]

Try www.adventurepilot.com for suggestions

 

[CJones]

I'm drawing a blank right now. One place that comes to mind would be Pella, Iowa (KPEA). It's actually 175nm east of LNK. I've never actually been into town - a very old Dutch community. They market the area as a tourist attraction complete with Dutch bakeries, shops, and even a Tulip Festival in the spring. My parents visited there this past spring and seemed to enjoy it as an afternoon destination.

I'll keep pondering the area to see if I can come up with anything else.

By the way -- That's awesome that your wife wants to fly for your birthday!

 

[tonycondon]

oh yea pella would be nice. airport is close to town, the FBO is really nice and so is the town.

I was thinking Greenfield, a little closer and they have the iowa aviation museum there. ive never been there but i bet there'd be a place to have lunch and you could look at some antiques as well.

 

[Teller1900]

I went to Greenfield on my second solo cross country...that's a nice little airport. Audubon (sp?) was cool too. Kind of a wavey runway, but it'd be a good place for a picnic. I can't remember, maybe you remember Tony, what airport did Jeff and I find the "new" airhorse at? That was a nice one to visit, too.

 

[tonycondon]

I think that was at Denison matt. also a nice airport with a newish fbo buildilng and Im 99% sure a picnic table in the grass outside.

 

[jason]

Thanks, guys. I'll check out Pella. Do they have a crew car to get into town?

Have either of you ever been to Clarinda? Adventurepilot.com says that the city park is pretty close. I was just wondering if the park was nice once you got there.

 

[tonycondon]

no never have gotten down to clarinda. havent spent much time in SW iowa.

 

[Teller1900]

They do, indeed have picnic tables and a gazeebo at Denison. Never been to Clarinda, though. After Greenfield I went to Sioux Falls...never been farther SW than that.

 

[CJones]

From what I have HEARD - Greenfield's "museum" isn't a lot to look at. You're more likely to see as many interesting aircraft on the ramp at a good flyin as there are in the 'museum' at Greenfield. For some reason, I'm thinking that they have some goofy hours of operation as well. We did some spraying out of there this year. The airport is a bit of a hop from any resemblance of town. Just FYI.

Another option would be Osceola. You can take the crew car to Terrible's Lakeside Casino across town.

I haven't ventured to Clarinda, either.

The only other place in SW Iowa I've been to was Red Oak, and I only landed there for cheap fuel. Didn't really pay much attention to the facilities there.

 

[jason]

Greenfield actually has their big fly-in this Sunday. Omelette breakfast and all. That might be what I shoot for. They'll have a bunch of other stuff going on besides the straight museum.

 

[CJones]

Greenfield actually has their big fly-in this Sunday. Omelette breakfast and all. That might be what I shoot for. They'll have a bunch of other stuff going on besides the straight museum.

THAT might actually be pretty cool!

 

[CJones]

Greenfield actually has their big fly-in this Sunday. Omelette breakfast and all. That might be what I shoot for. They'll have a bunch of other stuff going on besides the straight museum.

Is this your destination of choice for Sunday? If so, I might see if Hap's has a 172 available and buzz down that way myself. Even if you DON'T attend, I might make the trip. It sounds kinda cool!

http://www.flyincalendar.com/event_detail.cfm?e=4329&m=8&y=2007

 

[jason]

Is this your destination of choice for Sunday? If so, I might see if Hap's has a 172 available and buzz down that way myself. Even if you DON'T attend, I might make the trip. It sounds kinda cool!

http://www.flyincalendar.com/event_detail.cfm?e=4329&m=8&y=2007

As of right now I think we're either flying to Leavenworth, KS or Kansas City. We couldn't get the plane until the afternoon. I wish we would have gone today. It's beautiful...and the rental car companies aren't open on Sunday.

 

[Vinny]

Next time try We-B-Smokin at Miami County Airport (K81), just a few miles south of KOJC. Fairly cheap eats and right on the airport. Breakfast/brunch served Sundays until about 1 PM. Can't remember if they have outdoor seating or not.