Ooh-wee! It has been a long time since I posted an aviation adventure. Luckily, these last few days saw me fly west, over the hills and far away... For play time in the cloudless blue sky and on the sunny ground too.
Actually, it started with an incredibly well planned flight to Wisconsin, a much needed "unplug" from work, the house and life as I experience it daily. The weather was checked, the flight plan stored and ready to file and a bag packed full of warm clothing and comfort food stood ready.
About an hour before anticipated departure northeast, doubt began to creep in. It seemed that while 5 days holed up in a cozy cabin on a lake could be really nice, it would also mean that every time we stepped foot outside, we would get wet and cold. Yep, the extended forecast, which started with a late departure from Longmont due to snow, was filled with rain and sleet in the woods, ended with potentially disturbed homeward flying plans due to snow in northern Wisconsin too. Hmmm.... Not ideal.
After eyeing the weather graphics for the entire US, it came down to Texas or the Arizona area. Arizona was a quicker flight, offered mountain flying practice, stunning scenery and plenty to see and do once there. The Texas coast, while still looking beautiful, was coming up in second place.
We departed early-ish on Saturday. It was calm and clear. The new flight plan had us heading south to Colorado Springs to gain altitude before heading west, past Pike's Peak, over Salida, across Monarch Pass and just south of Crested Butte. We sailed merrily out of the mountains just after Montrose and onward to the land of canyons.
First stop... Cal Black Municipal Airport at Halls Crossing, UT. This tiny spot perched not far from a marina at Lake Powell was intended as our snack, bathroom and fuel break. They sell auto gas - and at over $1/gallon less than 100LL, this stop on the way to Page, AZ was more than worth it. N303B was thirsty! The airport is run by a cute husband and wife team. What an industrious couple! Out in the middle of nowhere (80 miles from the nearest supermarket) they keep a friendly and spotlessly clean FBO and in their down time, they are building themselves a little house.
By noon on Saturday we had reached Page Airport. As luck would have it, an "airshow" was in full swing. I use quotation marks because a bouncy castle, pizza truck and vintage cars do not an airshow make! We did have a little giggle about the complete and utter lack of flying, as we filled our hungry bellies from the food truck and peered into a DeSoto's windows. And it didn't escape our attention that the very second a couple of older airplanes took to the sky and did a low pass down the runway, we were super impressed. No, this was not Oshkosh... and you take what you can get! The community was enthusiastic and the tents, colorful. It was all gravy. Mark and I had spent the last 3 hours flying through snow-capped mountains, marveling at the rugged canyons and admiring reflections in Lake Powell. A great day already.
We unloaded the Bonanza and loaded the rental car. Checking into the hotel involved the mandatory asking of recommendations. We were advised of canyon tours, boat tours, hiking, restaurants and more. Already we knew our 4 days in Page were going to be packed with activity.
The day was rounded out with a sunset/twilight hike. Just a short one, from the nearby trail head to the top of a 1000 foot precipice, overlooking Horseshoe Bend. This 270 degree bend in the Colorado River has to be one of the most photographed places in the area.. In fact, a Google image of this spot was what first attracted me to Page as a potential destination, while scoping for sunnier, alternative vacation spots just the day before.
Day 1 of our vacation was rounded out by a steak dinner and live music by a talented Johnny Cash cover guy... and a soak in the hot tub under a full moon.
Our "plan" for the next 3 days was already scratched out on a Best Western notepad. Hiking... Flying... Photography... Eating... And repeat!
Mmmm. Vacation. :-)
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