Re-cap from Bill Crothers. {JEC}
Time to close out the Arizona adventure with a recap from one persons perspective.
Factoids & Observations ...
This is a BIG country best seen from 8000'... Heading West we encounter clouds, clouds, clouds until West Texas where we encounter NO clouds all the way to Arizona. Bumps were minimal at altitude except for rolling waves over New Mexico in the pm. Visibility is 100 miles +!
Trip factoids ...3252 NMiles in 5 travel days ... 24.2 hours in the air ... 23.6 in formation ...( its a hoot to enjoy scenery while lead is keeping you on course. Flying single is boring in comparison.) 134 knot ave speed, more like 150 once you take out taxi time and landing approaches ... 80 degree low temperature at touchdown in Santa Fe, NM/102 degree high temperature at touchdown at Carlsbad, NM.
Encountered vapor lock taxiing in as fuel flow at idle caused fuel to cook and engine to quit ... gentle reminder to keep power up when taxiing on HOT days. Maximum altitude 9500'... oil burn- 1.5 quarts! Amazing. No weather problems. Occasional VFR on top but no low ceilings like last year. (James can concur). Ate too much Mexican food, but gained no weight.
Final thoughts ... awesome trip with great companionship. Looking forward to Stormy's gathering later this month and next planned trip. Thanks to Cappy for planning. Think we all become better pilots when we stretch our boundaries and add new experiences. Will send additional pictures to James and Larry's sites soon.
Those of you thinking about such adventures should MAKE IT HAPPEN. C
Cheers, Reno
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
"We're Baaaack!!"
Info from Ron Schreck. {JEC}
We had a great time on the trip. Want to thank Cappy for putting it together. We're already looking forward to the next big adventure. (New England???)
I think we are the last of the "Cappy's Great Adventure" planes to make it back home.
Made side trips to Santa Fe and Houston on the way back to Gold Hill and limped in this evening with a bad oil leak and a failed alternator. Looks like Miss Izzy will be on the injured list for awhile. The Whirlwind prop needs to go in for a 500 hour inspection as well.
Made side trips to Santa Fe and Houston on the way back to Gold Hill and limped in this evening with a bad oil leak and a failed alternator. Looks like Miss Izzy will be on the injured list for awhile. The Whirlwind prop needs to go in for a 500 hour inspection as well.
We had a great time on the trip. Want to thank Cappy for putting it together. We're already looking forward to the next big adventure. (New England???)
Smokey
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Kathy's Perspective ...
The following is from Kathy Schreck. {JEC}
The Gang's all here at Tomasita's in Santa Fe, NM. Ron and Kathy Schreck, Carolyn and Randy Utsey and Bill Crothers up front, June 7, 2008.
We're still having a great time. Our group took off from Scottsdale, AZ and flew our RV's up to Santa Fe yesterday. This is a beautiful city if you ever wish to come for a visit. Ron and I are on our own this morning as Carolyn, Randy and Bill just flew out headed for Nashville. Ron and I will tour the Georgia O'Keefe Museum this morning and then drive up to Taos, NM for a look-see.
We'll be heading for Houston tomorrow and then home Tuesday. Tom (Andrew), we hope our furry and feathered babies aren't too much trouble. We'll be home real soon.
Big hugs, Kathy
The Gang's all here at Tomasita's in Santa Fe, NM. Ron and Kathy Schreck, Carolyn and Randy Utsey and Bill Crothers up front, June 7, 2008.
We're still having a great time. Our group took off from Scottsdale, AZ and flew our RV's up to Santa Fe yesterday. This is a beautiful city if you ever wish to come for a visit. Ron and I are on our own this morning as Carolyn, Randy and Bill just flew out headed for Nashville. Ron and I will tour the Georgia O'Keefe Museum this morning and then drive up to Taos, NM for a look-see.
We'll be heading for Houston tomorrow and then home Tuesday. Tom (Andrew), we hope our furry and feathered babies aren't too much trouble. We'll be home real soon.
Big hugs, Kathy
Winding Down ...
Summary from Bill as they get ready to head home. {JEC}
Our adventure is now winding down and we are making the most of the return trip. Smokey, Randy & Reno flew to Santa Fe, NM this am and enjoyed a 30 knot tailwind and some interesting scenery which will be displayed soon. We ate and shopped here all afternoon and can say its a neat, beautiful place. Much like Sedona though not as awesome. 70 miles North is Taos & 13,000' mountains w/ snow caps.
Smokey & Kathy will stay an extra day to enjoy as tomorrow is her birthday, and a significant one at that. Randy & Reno will head East toward Nashville. Its 1200 miles to home, so not interested in doing that in a day to get home to scorching temps. 82 here today as we are 6450' ASL. Kinda weird doing 9500' and seeing the ground right below you. High pm winds are a factor, so early departure will get us clear of Oklahoma before they arrive, we hope. Not so breezy East of there, but brutally hot so high altitude will again be the plan.
We would appreciate it if SOMEBODY would turn the air conditioning back on by Monday am. Cheers to all and see ya soon. Pictures will follow w/ recap once we cool off.
Reno
Our adventure is now winding down and we are making the most of the return trip. Smokey, Randy & Reno flew to Santa Fe, NM this am and enjoyed a 30 knot tailwind and some interesting scenery which will be displayed soon. We ate and shopped here all afternoon and can say its a neat, beautiful place. Much like Sedona though not as awesome. 70 miles North is Taos & 13,000' mountains w/ snow caps.
Smokey & Kathy will stay an extra day to enjoy as tomorrow is her birthday, and a significant one at that. Randy & Reno will head East toward Nashville. Its 1200 miles to home, so not interested in doing that in a day to get home to scorching temps. 82 here today as we are 6450' ASL. Kinda weird doing 9500' and seeing the ground right below you. High pm winds are a factor, so early departure will get us clear of Oklahoma before they arrive, we hope. Not so breezy East of there, but brutally hot so high altitude will again be the plan.
We would appreciate it if SOMEBODY would turn the air conditioning back on by Monday am. Cheers to all and see ya soon. Pictures will follow w/ recap once we cool off.
Reno
Friday, June 6, 2008
Quick text from Bill
The pictures from Kathy cover the pictures Bill references. {JEC}
Early pictures from Grand Canyon and train trip. Will follow with details later. Will forward Kathy's e-mail to you. I flew up to Reno with a friend in his Falcon 50 (awesome) and rode to town at 110 mph in his Ferrari 430. Pictures to come. Returning to Scottsdale this pm and then heading home tomorrow. What's with this heat wave? I read its supposed to be 101 in Charlotte Sunday. Why is it we are coming home?
Reno
Early pictures from Grand Canyon and train trip. Will follow with details later. Will forward Kathy's e-mail to you. I flew up to Reno with a friend in his Falcon 50 (awesome) and rode to town at 110 mph in his Ferrari 430. Pictures to come. Returning to Scottsdale this pm and then heading home tomorrow. What's with this heat wave? I read its supposed to be 101 in Charlotte Sunday. Why is it we are coming home?
Reno
Photos from Kathy ...
Below are a bunch of photos and captions from Kathy Schreck. {JEC}
He did it again ...
Don Oberlander "King of the World"
Randy and Carolyn Utsey/Route 66/Williams, AZ
Ron and Kathy Schreck at Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Carolyn and Randy Utsey at the Grand Canyon, June 5, 2008
He did it again ...
Don Oberlander "King of the World"
Randy and Carolyn Utsey/Route 66/Williams, AZ
Ron and Kathy Schreck at Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Carolyn and Randy Utsey at the Grand Canyon, June 5, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wednesday in Paradise ...
Sent in by Bill. {JEC}
Another wonderful day was had.
Smokey & Kathy visited grand kids and took airplane rides. Notice Smokey w/ 'Miss Lizzie' upside down! Winds were howling, but the ole pro prevailed once again.
Randy & Carolyn visited Old Scottsdale and shopped. Reno hung around homebase and cooled it. Very nice day in Phoenix, cooler than home! Gonna be only 91 tomorrow. All but Reno headed for train ride to Grand Canyon to sightsee and take many pictures. Reno headed for Reno for an overnight and a little Texas hold'em poker. We reunite Friday pm to check weather and see how we are gonna get home and when. Somebody turn on the air conditioning by Sunday ... don't like the looks of 98 degrees and humid. Its been a hoot out here.
[Editor's note: Don't worry about 98. It is going to be 100+ here!!! :-( {JEC} ]
Another wonderful day was had.
Smokey & Kathy visited grand kids and took airplane rides. Notice Smokey w/ 'Miss Lizzie' upside down! Winds were howling, but the ole pro prevailed once again.
Randy & Carolyn visited Old Scottsdale and shopped. Reno hung around homebase and cooled it. Very nice day in Phoenix, cooler than home! Gonna be only 91 tomorrow. All but Reno headed for train ride to Grand Canyon to sightsee and take many pictures. Reno headed for Reno for an overnight and a little Texas hold'em poker. We reunite Friday pm to check weather and see how we are gonna get home and when. Somebody turn on the air conditioning by Sunday ... don't like the looks of 98 degrees and humid. Its been a hoot out here.
[Editor's note: Don't worry about 98. It is going to be 100+ here!!! :-( {JEC} ]
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