Re-Cap ... Cappy's Most Excellent Adventure: Too

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

"We're Baaaack!!"

Info from Ron Schreck. {JEC}

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 update ...

Some of the people on the SERV list did not see Bill's email thus the comments below. People can see his notes here at this blog so it should be easy now. {JEC}


Sorry most of you haven't received blogs ... SERV has limit on size and rejected last two. This one has no pictures so it will get through.

Here's a recap of past 2 days.

Monday, day of rest, sort of ... we are all tired after 14 hrs. in the air last 3 days. Most went to Sedona for day and had great time.. the pictures will be awesome when I can send them.









Tuesday was really a hoot. Smokey, Don and Dale flew up to Meteor Crater/Lake Powell/Monument Valley and took amazing pix. They got down on the deck and weaved around the 400-500' monuments. and down Lake Powell on the deck ... After lunch at Page, AZ, they headed over the East side of the Canyon.

Heading home they circled Sedona and Smokey did a fly-by of the golf course at Seven Canyons, a super exclusive resort North of town where Randy & Reno just happened to be playing ... There was considerable excitement on the ground.






R & R were hitting approach shots to 14th green and couldn't get to cameras in time to memorialize this thrill. Upon return to base, we gathered for pizza and review pictures and stories.

Today we are resting.














Smokey & Kathy are visiting son and grand kids including the original 'Miss Izzie'. Will send pictures later if SERV can handle them.

...cheers, Reno

[Editor's note: Bill keeps talking about these pictures but I am starting to wonder if remembered to bring any film! :-) {JEC} ]

Day 3 .. I think! :-)

Another entry from Bill. {JEC}


Totally amazing day today. Smokey,Kathy,Randy, Carolyn and Reno went to Sedona, one of the prettiest places ever. Pictures coming to prove it though they don't do it justice.

Lunch at Enchantment Resort among the high Red Rock mountains followed by a tour of Seven Canyons Club, an exclusive golf and tennis destination. Time shares sold here go for $425,000 /4 week period. Super high dollar and awesome. Randy and Reno managed to con the guys into golf rounds on Tuesday. Pictures will follow for sure.

Smokey & Don Oberlander flying up to Monument Valley and Lake Powell tomorrow while girls sleep in. Thursday is train trip to Grand Canyon for most of crew.

Reno gets a special ride in a friends Falcon 50 to Reno Thursday/Friday before all prep to head home. Weather is being very cooperative now and we hope will continue through week and return. More to follow tomorrow evening.

Day 2 ... They made it!!!

Another post from Bill. They are "out west" now. {JEC}

We are finally here. 13.7 hours in the air and we are in Scottsdale. Great flight today, we left Carlsbad early to avoid heat & bumps...it paid off. 80 degrees upon arrival at 11 am and calm winds.

We covered some unbelievably isolated countryside. Wouldn't want to have problems out here. This is where group flying really pays off ... no issues for any planes, thank you Lycoming and Vans for great equipment.

Will have pictures this evening after we download some from various cameras.

This year's fearless group includes Cappy, Linnie,Capt. Ron Maier, Smokey and Kathy,Randy and Carolyn Utsey, Dale Walter and Barbara from Ft. Lauderdale, Don Oberlander and Iziza, and yours truly.

Tomorrow we rest our loyal steeds and drive to Sedona for a day trip. Thursday we do a car trip to Williams, AZ and take a train ride to the Canyon for lunch and a tour. Since its summertime here, we must fly early as in light-thirty to see sites and miss pm winds/heat/bumps. So Tues./Wed/ we decide how we feel and who's up for what. No pressure, just do whats fun. Love the concept.

Most will return over weekend with stops to visit relatives scattered across this country. The timeshare is awesome. Gonna really be relaxed atmosphere. Will start downloading some pictures to send ASAP. Glad to hear its raining there, we sure need it ... nothing but sun here.

...Reno

Day 1 ... from Bill C.

The following was sent in by Bill ... I have made a few edits for spelling only. {JEC}

Well the trip is underway. Pictures to download tomorrow. Seven fearless aviators departed from Maine, NC, Ga, and Fla. to join up in Baton Rouge, La. for this year's "Adventure".

After dodging numerous clouds, we arrived in Alabaster, AL for fuel and on to BTR. More clouds to dodge. Arrived by dinnertime and promptly headed to beer-30 and dinner. Off to gamble at our chosen hotel on the river where riverboat gambling is legal and very active. After a good night's rest, we were greeted with low ceilings in LA and east TX. A late morning departure sent us, once again, dodging clouds. Surprise. Along about Waco, we lost the clouds and motored on to Brownwood, TX near Abilene.

This is a BIG state! After almost 3 hours we are in the middle...Gas stop was uneventful, but can't imagine why anyone would live here...92 degrees and breezy. On West for 2 more hours to leave the state and hit New Mexico. Saw numerous wind farms, our new best energy policy, and more numerous oil wells. Seems every West Texan has one or more in their back 40. Population out here must be less than 1 per square mile. Wind becomes awful. Like rolling waves, nothing severe, but constant rolling like it must feel on a boat tossed around in the vast ocean (of air). Terrain rising up now. At 8500' we are approaching Carlsbad, NM where airport is nearly 4000'.

All safely on the ground after about 10 hrs. in the air past 2 days. HOT like I couldn't believe...try 102 on the ground here. Hottest landing I've ever made. Dry, but HOT. Did I tell you its HOT? Few of us went out to Caverns to watch bats leave the cave for dinnertime as sun goes down ... millions of the critters. Tomorrow we will depart very early to beat heat and thermals. By noon its too HOT to think. Should arrive in Scottsdale before noon and hit pool.

Who planned a trip out here in June? Expect 106 in Phoenix next few days..thinking about roadtrip to Sedona for a day to rest our weary bones. Flying needs an off-day to recuperate. Our old bodies aren't what they used to be. Since LB didn't make it, the average age of this group is up a tad! Population in West Texas way less than East Texas ... Hard to find any homes down there. The flyings been fun though tiring. Many new sites to most of us, more to come. Will report back soon ...

Already talking about next year to New England/Hershey, PA/Nova Scotia. Be thinking about it cause we miss all you guys not here.

... Reno and the gang.

Capturing Cappy's Great Adventures ...

This blog will be used to capture the pursuits of a bunch of friends flying to wonderful places. The trips are being planned by "Cappy" and the first has been to Yellowstone in 2007. I had planned to capture the Yellowstone trip but never got around to it.

The 2008 trip is "out west" as well and a frequent update from Bill Crothers will be posted here. Hopefully we will get some pictures as well. {James}