Post Cruise Convention Flying Tour

[Bruce Thumann]

We have a member that is organizing what sounds like a great way to wrap up after the 2008 Convention.

Dale

Hello Flyers
My name is Bob Williams and I fly out of Skypark airport (15G) in Wadsworth Ohio and have a lot and plan to retire at Long Island Airport, in NC. I fly a Comanche and am flying to the Internatinal Comanche Convention this fall to Galveston, TX. That convention is a one week cruise in the western Carribbean on Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship leaves on October 12 and comes back one week later. That is for anyone interested in cruises.


Then, the fun begins. We are flying one additional week in the Southwest US. Right now there are four planes going, 2 comanches, one Cessna 172 and a Cessna 177RG. These people have all signed on because they love to fly, are tired of short trips, and want to see more of the Southwest, have fun, and meet new and old friends.


We are putting this trip together right now. It is a no commitment proposition, but with some up front planning, those of us going will see and do some wonderful once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and make some new friends along the way.


You are getting this e-mail because you may be of similar heart and want to come along; or that you have been there and we just want to pick your brain; or both.


Our plans are to leave Galveston Sunday as early as we can get to the planes and fly to Carlsbad Caverns CMN, where fuel isn’t outrageous, and the caverns are nearby. I really don’t know how long it takes to take in the caverns, but at this point, we plan to leave Monday afternoon for Sedona, AZ.


Sedona is unfamiliar to me, but I understand there is lots to see and do, as well as relatively close flying destinations for day trips. At this point, we are looking for things a bunch of pilots and wives would like to do in the area. Please help us out here, and e-mail back things you have done or would like to do. One idea is to fly the entire Grand Canyon through the flyways or over the minimum altitudes and wind up either back at Sedona or somewhere else, maybe Page AZ, via Marble Canyon (to fly INTO the canyon). Also a must see is Monument Valley from the air. Can anyone tell me if the Painted Desert is best viewed from the air or the ground?


At this point in our trip, with time running short, we don’t know if we can fit in a flight over the Canyonlands area. I have done it before, and it is one of the best flights I have had, but it leaves us in central Colorado or mid Eastern Utah, and airplanes incapable of overflying that part of the Rockies.


Other stops we would make if we had the time are Bryce Canyon, Zion NP, Death Valley, and such.


I invite you to offer your ideas to us to plan this trip, and also to join us on any or all of it. We are finding afforable accommodation at each destination. You take care of all your own reservations and transportation (share a ride or room) and can plan in large or small groups the daily activities. We have done this in the past, and it works really well. I particularly invite all those travelling west to fly with us a day or two and give us your wisdom of the area. For the others, if you want to plan a trip like this, this an opportunity to fly with a bunch of pilots and willing passengers, with enough notice to really make plans.


There is no urgency, or commitment needed; this is just to let you know it’s happening. If you want to join our group, we will be making motel block reservations and try to negotiate fuel disconunts (with enough airplanes).


Please let me know if this interests you and you want me to keep you posted as this trip takes shape.


You may contact me via e-mail at gus_wms@yahoo.com. I am looking forward to your replies.


Thanks,


Bob Williams, Akron, OH, ICS #13853

[Alan Cheak]