August 27, 2024 - Alaska Flight
Cherokee, Iowa to Essex Skypark
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There was a low scattered layer over the airport this morning. After what I've been through the last four weeks, I didn't even consider not taking off this morning.
I took off and immediately headed east-southeast.
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Actually, the low scattered layer was quite pretty. And the higher broken overcast around 6,000 feet kept the morning sun out of my eyes.
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| Booming along at 1,000 feet or so above the ground. |
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The scattered layer soon disappeared.
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| Yes, this is Iowa. |
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| I take advantage of the calm morning air and go down low. |
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| Passing some windmills; most of them are not turning. |
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A private grass strip.
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| Probably Highway 20 heading due east. |
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Another private grass strip.
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| Corn fields. |
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| I'm enjoying a nice tailwind this morning. |
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| Passing by Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The airport -- Eastern Iowa -- top right -- has Class C Airspace so I have to make sure I stay out of it. |
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I spot the Mississippi River through the haze.
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| Looking down at Clinton Municipal Airport, Iowa. |
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About to cross the Mississippi River into Illinois.
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| And there is Morris Municipal Airport where I will stop and get gas and maybe food. |
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| Looking down at Morris Muni. Ironically, I passed over this same airport on my way to Alaska. |
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On final for runway 36. Or is it runway 0?
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After landing, I discover it is hot. I mean really hot. Mid-90s. That building to the right is the FBO. Nice and air conditioned inside! Morris doesn't have self-service fuel. I taxiied up to the fuel truck and was able to get fueled.
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After fueling, I borrow the courtesy car (below) and drive a couple of south to the area right off Interstate 80s and have a late breakfast at IHOP. After returning, I chat a few minutes with some regulars, then takeoff into the heat.
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I climb up high to find cool air. The higher I go the faster I go thanks to a good tailwind. I reached 200mph briefly but mostly it was 180-190. Still, I'll take that anyday.
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Checking out Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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| Fort Wayne International Airport. |
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| I had planned to stop at Port Bucyrus, Ohio to top off and stretch my legs. But it was nice and cool up high, the plane was running great, and I was booming along at 190 mph. The thought of descending into the heat, then having to climb back up was not appealing. I had plenty of gas to make it the rest of the way to Essex Skypark. So I just flew by Port Bucyrus and kept going. I think the total leg was 3 hours 45 minutes. |
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| From this shot you can see where the Lulu's restaurant is plus the airport. |
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| Looking down through the haze at the Monongahela River. |
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It's amazing that tug and 3 barges long can navigate this twisting river.
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| Almost home. Zooming over the Baltimore Ravens headquarters and practice facility, west of Baltimore. I see lots of cars in the parking lot but everybody must be inside in air conditioning and avoiding the heat. |
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| Essex Skypark, lit up in the late afternoon sun. Inactive and deserted as usual. |
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| Safe on deck, Essex Skypark. To Alaska and back; it's been a heck of an adventure. 63 hours flight time. What a great plane! |
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| Last leg! Spot track from Cherokee, Iowa to Essex Skypark, Maryland. |
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