After I got the fire going and breakfast made, we began to discuss our plans. Mr. G was having a good time, but Alundra has little liking for camping in the rain
...We decided Alpena would be our next stop (Alundra didn't particularly care, she just wanted to get closer to Civilization)!The weather cleared up and warmed up (actually got close to 80 for a change!) and so Mr. G and Alundra went hiking. I went to the airport Drummond 1 (Y66) to scope out what was there, and to get some fuel for the Maule!
What I saw was this:
Oh man! Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to like old aircraft! At first, I thought this was a Piper Cub, but it turns out that this is an Aeronca model K! Not many of these left either!
It's owner even has some props which he keeps in the back. Old Nell, as he is called on the Island, doesn't fly anymore, but he does rent the plane out for $120 per hour and the cost of fuel...how could I resist! I called Mr. G and Alundra on the cell and asked where they were. Turns out that they were back at the site! I told Alundra to listen for a sound like a lawnmower, and watch the sky!
A golfer shot this one (good thing I was using the grass runway as pedestrians cross the asphalt one all the time)
...Y66 is next to a golf course and camping is allowed here!
After take-off, I got this of the airport...
I turned North to head to the campsite. All I have is my memory and a compass (no GPS or VOR)...that Dude back in Yosemite would have been proud
.
Okay, turning back to find the airport. Some fog was developing (here on the lakes, the weather changes fast).
Coming out of the clouds on final!
THUMP!!! Photo courtesy of another golfer...
And I got the plane parked.
Now this is a job I could get used to!
I fly a couple of clients around, get paid, and even get to fly a few other planes! The bad part was that after I got the Fuel, I had to walk back most of the way Hauling a 10-gallon fuel can (hey, I'm strong, but not that strong) :-/ . Some sympathetic motorist came and gave me a ride for 2 of the last 4 miles. I was good and bushed when I got back...The flight is planned and we'll leave tomorrow! (Alundra is in a better mood now that she can sunbathe instead of freezing in cold rain
)
