Day 1 & 2 - Transit to Colorado Springs

For various reasons, I got a late start and didn't depart Essex Skypark until 1:30 or so.  It wasn't a big problem, since I was just tyring to get to Cythiana, Kentucky -- 378 nm from Essex Skypark, just a short hop in the RV!  I knew I needed to make it over the Appalachian Mountains this afternoon because of Hurricane Matthew was coming north and the east coast would be socked in tomorrow.  The aviation forecast indicated I should be able to make over the mountains without much trouble.

The fuel tank at Essex was empty so I had to stop at Carroll County Airport to get gas.  Imagine my surprise to see a B-17 and B-24 on the ramp as I turned downwind.
   
There was also a B-25 and the two-seater P-51 Mustang pictured here taking off as I taxi by.
   
I think this warbird group travels the country giving people an opportunity to fly in the historic warbirds.  For a price, of course.
   
I encountered a layer once in the mountains.  I knew it was clear on the other side so I was OK with going on top.  Unfortunately, I soon encountered more clouds and more layers.  I had to work hard to stay VFR.  At one point I was up to 13,500 feet!   (Yes, I had oxygen and used it).
   
Finally, I worked my way through and was greeted with this sight.  I made it!
   
Shortly thereafter, the clouds started breaking up.
   
At my destination for the night.  One of my favorite cross-country stops when I go west:  Cynthiana Airport (0I8), Kentucky.  Looks like the runway has been newly repaved.  It glowed in the sunlight.
   
A couple of airport regulars offered me the free use of the EAA hangar.  Sweet!  I used the courtesy car -- an Excursion: the largest of the Ford SUVs -- to go into town to have dinner and stay in a motel.
   
Why is Cythiana such a good  cross-country stop?  First and foremost, the avgas prices are the lowest you'll find almost anywhere.  On this trip they were $3.57.  Then they have the courtesy car.  Cynthiana is strategically located on the way west to St. Louis.  The FBO building is new and modern.  Finally, the people there are very friendly.
   
I got up early the next morning and headed west.  I had a long way to go today:  Colorado Springs, Colorado.  956 nm.  Here I'm crossing the mighty Ohio river.  Weather was excellent, as you can see.  But there was virtually no way I could have made it from Maryland today.  In fact, you could see the weather system to the east from Cynthiana.  I was right on the edge.
   
A barge being pushed up the Ohio River.
   
A little town in the middle of nowhere.  Why did I take the picture?  Well, this is French Lick, Indiana.  Hometown of one Larry Bird.  They even have a little airport, in the top left of the picture.
   
I didn't really want to fly the St. Louis-Kansas City route again but it seems that's where the track always takes me.  I went around the northern side of St. Louis.  Here the Missouri River joins the mighty Mississippi.
   
I went low down the Missouri River for old times sake.  I think this is the fourth time I've flown the St. Louis - Kansas City section of the river.
   
After a while, I get tired of the river and fly low over the farm fields on the river side.
   
I noticed all these cars lined up on a country road.  They were all parked in the field in the center of the picture.  It looked like there was a fair of some sort in the town amongst the trees.  Must be a good one!  Americana.
   
My fuel stop for today was another airport I have been to before (and liked):  Gardner Municipal Airport (K34), on the southwest side of Kansas City  I like it because it has two long grass runways, plus a narrow paved one.  And the fuel prices were low.  It is 500nm from Cynthiana.
   
On final for runway 17.  You know I'm going to land on the grass runway.
   
Gotta like all the model planes hanging in the pilot's lounge.
   
One of the airport regulars drove me to a nearby McDonalds for lunch.  How nice is that?
   

This big Waco was based at Gardner.
   
I believe this is Interstate 77 heading south.
   
The terrain became very undeveloped and very flat as I flew the length of Kansas.
   
Good cattle country.
   
I followed Interstate 70 a bit.  I-70 starts way back in Maryland.
   
Grass turns to dirt.  The ground was rising, as well.
   
I was this mountain in the distance ahead and assumed it was a small range I had to cross over to get to Colorado Springs, which lies at the base of the Front Range.  Turns out that mountain was actually Pike's Peak and was 70+ miles away at this point!  Notice all the smashed bugs on my windshield.
   
I landed without incident at Colorado Springs airport, which has Class C airspace, and can handle some good-sized airplanes.  Like that Boeing 747 in the center of the picture.
 
I prefer to go into the smaller general aviation (GA) airports with no Class C or Class D airspace.  But this one was by far the closest to my friends house where I would be staying so I bit the bullet.  I have no problem dealing with air traffic control; I just don't like doing it.
   
The Commercial terminal is out of sight to the right.  Cutter Aviation, the FBO where I parked, is center left.  Colorado Springs Airport is also home to Peterson Air Force Base.  A big C-17 transport is visible below.
   
Parked on the Cutter Aviation ramp.  Although they get business jets and turbo-props, they were very friendly and helpful to me and my little plane.  The Front Range mountain range is visible in the background.
   
I stopped in Colorado Springs to visit my old shipmate Pat Mills.  Pat and I were department heads together in Patrol Squadron Forty-Five back in the early 90s.
   
Pat and Helen took me to dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs and I spent the night at their house.  They were great hosts!
   
 
   
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