First, a BIG thank you to all who made it to 6Y9 this year! I've written before, and I'll write it again…you can't have a fly in without planes or pilots! Some of you came quite the distance; Nebraska, Texas, Colorado.
Thanks to all who came whether by plane or car….in Gary's case- both!
I had a lot of time to ponder the event while driving the 8 hrs back home. WOW! From the weather (which was the best ever), to the attendance (both planes and people), to the extras (hang out room, successful hayride, trip to Bond Falls, night quad ride), I couldn't be happier with the results. I personally think that this was the best 6Y9 fly in to date!
I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Ryan and Jenn as they see first hand all of my stresses, worries, planning, re-stressing, worrying again, change of plans, and yes sometimes my lack of patience when things go temporarily awry. Through it all, they still put up with me (!) and have given so much time and support to both Brad and I. Whether a physical task or moral support, they have given an unbelievable amount of their time and energy to help us out all year long.
AND many of you stepped up to lend a hand when you saw the need and we truly appreciate your willingness to do so. My mind becomes a blur at times and I may not show my gratitude as effectively as I should at the time, but I truly value each and everyone of you who stepped in to assist.
We missed those who were unable to make it this year for whatever reason. Hopefully next time! Mike, Andy, "A-ron" (I like this better
), Jeff: Welcome to 6Y9, PoA, and we're glad you had a good time. Come back often...you're not very far away. And Tim, what a nice surprise that was waiting for us at Hoppy's! Thank you! Wish you could have shared with us in person!
In reading the posts I would like to add my two cents. We appreciate the comments that show both what we're doing right and those that will help us improve.
Warren, the former twp. supervisor who has since passed, had made some printouts of what-to-do in the local area and had put some in the pilot's shack. I haven't checked to see exactly what is still there but I do remember seeing that there were some in the little rack on the table. Looking at a good old fashioned road map of MI shows some points of interest, too, and I will try and find one and put it on the wall in the new hang out lounge.
There are hiking trails in the Sturgeon Gorge Wilderness area just north of the field. No one has ever asked before, so never gave it a thought….we have focused more on the quad rides when we've had time and interest. As for a UP tour, that has been discussed in the past also, but has never gotten off the ground. Pun intended. My feeling has been that everyone is so happy to "just chill" so that is what ends up happening, save for a few who go up for a flight. As Brad mentioned, the bikes have been there for years. They have been put to good use in the past. Maybe we can blame the ones who have used them before, for not coming this year and making that amenity obvious…(ahem…..see? WE NEED YOU ALL!)
Before I left I did post (in the "Who's gonna be first…" thread) that we had a fridge this year and that we could make arrangements for a grocery run. We can certainly "fix" the food-in-the-fridge issue. I was already en route when the arrival times for the first of you were posted and I didn't get a chance to check the PoA board again. I was [happily] surprised with early arrivals but with my mind in "fly in mode" I apologize that I didn't realize that there was a need. ugh. We don't take Jesse's comment as a complaint so we'll do our best to continue to make things better! Without suggestions, we don't know. :wink2:
So, notes are made, and planning begins again for next year. Now that I've posted, we can kill this thread. LOL!!!