July 19, 2010 - First Day Transit to Nebraska City

The RV has proven itself, with just over 200 hours on the Hobbs meter.  Prior to the flight, I did sort of a mini-annual, changing the oil, greasing the tailwheel post, and making sure the tires were fully inflated.  Something was wrong with the oil temperature sensor -- it had been reading about 30 degrees low -- so I replaced that.  Everything else was working 4.0.

The plan was to take off at dawn, arrive at Creve Coeur, Missouri by 1:30 PM, spend a few hours visiting their antique airplane museum, then continue on to the Nebraska-Missouri border. 

I realized the night before there was no point in getting up early, because there would be an overcast that wouldn't burn off until 10AM or so.  So I got to sleep in and eat one of Lynnette's big breakfasts.  I ended up taking off from Essex around 11AM. 

I had an appointment for a museum tour at Creve Coeur airport -- just west of St. Louis -- at 1:30PM.  I called and moved it to 3PM (4 PM East Coast time).  I thought I could still make that despite the late start.

Today was a travel day -- no real sightseeing involved until I got to the St. Louis area.  My plan was to get high and go fast.  But not surprisingly on a westerly journey, there were headwinds.  I climbed to 8,500 feet but could only make about 170 mph groundspeed.  (Note: How quick they forget.  The max groundspeed I enjoyed in the Citabria on the 2006 Oregon Trail flight was 125 -- and that was on the last day with a healthy tailwind!)

 
The Ohio River is visible beneath the broken layer.
 
Using AirNav.com, I had printed off a list of airports along my route with the most inexpensive AvGas.  Cynthiana Airport (0I8) was right on my path so I decided to stop there.  It turned out to be an excellent choice.  The  AvGas was relatively cheap, the manager was friendly, and I was able to get fueled and on my way quickly. 
 
The FBO building. 
 
Turning over the Ohio River to get a picture of a big barge. 
 
A picture of my recently polished left wing.  I spent about 20 hours polishing the RV to make it look shiny for this trip and AirVenture 2010. 
 

I still had a chance to make Creve Coeur on schedule when I started noticing weather on my newly hooked-up XM weather displayed on the GPS.  A long cell was between me and my destination, so I altered course by 15 degrees to the south. 

After awhile I didn't need the GPS to see the nasty weather.  I was paralleling the storm.  Off my right wing about 25 miles away I could see dark clouds and lightning bolts.

 
Thanks to the GPS/XM Weather, I could see where the storm cells ended so I just continued parallel until I was finally able to change course to the northwest. 
 
Unfortunately, there was no way I could make it to Creve Coeur in time to see the museum, so I just decided to bypass St. Louis and continue on to the west.   In 2006, I also had to skip St. Louis because of weather.  Someday I'll make it there. 
 
Crossing the mighty Mississippi south of St. Louis.
 
After getting around the storm, I had been flying for awhile and wanted to take a break, so I stopped in at Sullivan Regional Airport (UUV), Missouri. 
 
I relaxed in the air-conditioned FBO building for awhile, listening to one of the regulars talk about flying in the Baja Peninsula which was interesting.   I got gas, then proceeded on my way.   
 
Looking back to the Southeast I could see the weather I had just avoided. 
 
My old friend, the Missouri River, between St. Louis and Kansas City.  I recognized this area from flying it at low level four years ago in the Citabria. 
 
Since I was now flying northwest, I left the river and headed cross-country. 
 
At first I thought this area was undeveloped, but then I realized the dark areas were corn. 
 
The Missouri River again.  The Missouri runs from St. Louis to Kansas City then turns sharply north.  I had cut across, skipping Kansas City. 
 
It was getting late in the day -- 7 or 8 PM local -- and I had had enough flying for one day.  I decided to stop at Nebraska City, which was on the west side of the Missouri River. 
 
The airport is south of town.  It looked deserted, but I was tired, and decided to land sincerely hoping they had a courtesy car I could use. 
 

Yes!  There was a courtesy car with keys inside.  The airport was deserted -- not surprising at a small airport at 8PM.  

It took me awhile to unload the airplane and get it secured for the night.  There was a good chance of bad weather tonight so it was important to get the RV tied down securely.  I was a long way from home and the RV is my ride home!

 
 

The FBO Building. 

The town was only a few miles to the north.  As I entered the town, I saw a little strip motel where I got a room for $50.  I had dinner at a Mexican restaurant and drank lots of lemonade. 

 
 
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