Hi, an early morning departure had turned into an early afternoon departure from Aspen Co while waiting for my friends girlfriends last minute putz attack while shopping in the mid July heat. I was besides myself, being the patient Swede but knowing what flying out of Aspen in the afternoon can mean(extreme turbulence and downdrafts and just maybe a Mountain wave thrown in) The temperature was slowly ticking towards 80 degrees,not good at a nearly 9000 ft above sea level elevation runway.

She has finally finished shopping ,so my friend being an Aspen native drives us to the airport. Just out of town he picks up a rather large young lady with a big pack hitchhiking! He asks "where to?" says she 'Chicago" he says" hop in we can have you in Minneapolis in 5 hours!!!!"

I could have strangled him! Although we did have an extra seat in my V35 Bonanza and a 7000 ft runway I was not happy with the extra wieght. He was paying for fuel back to Mn , so I bit my lip and shutup. Now with the Jeeps door closed I could smell the overpowering odor of Garlic! Seems our overjoyed passenger had just came from the Garlic festival in Telluride where she has ingested large quantities of said vegetable. Whew...!

The Bonanza sat waiting on Aspen-Pitkin county airport ramp full of fuel.We hurriedly packed it full with people and bags and Taxied to runway 33. Myself , my friend, his girfriend, and smelly Nelly. Tower gave me the "cleared for takeoff ,caution density altitude" Throttle to the firewall... Hmmm pretty sluggish....hmmmm..6500 ft later we were off!! Six inches and NOT Climbing!! Oh No! the departure end of 33 points downvalley and lower elevations, I am just able to lift the nose to clear some rocks at about 10 feet then start settling into little Woody creek.

Resigned to sudden impact, I am jarred back to reality by the controllers voice shouting"CYCLE GEAR!!CYCLE GEAR!!" Duh..Ok..doing this cleaned me up just enough to save the day and a slow laborious climb out of the Valley ensued. Garlic girl riding right seat says "great takeoff! This is like soooo kuuul!!" ( I never wanted 007`s ejection seat more)

wwingsong wrote: I was besides myself, being the patient Swede

There's gotta be a reason why so many big, dumb Swedes fly airplanes in places like Alaska and Minnesota. I know, because I am one. But you gotta admit, we are fun to watch. I just don't know what keeps us alive.

Gump

The same goes or us Weegens, may be it is a Nordic Frozen North thing that stopped us from evolving as fast as others.

we have proven its not gravity, clean living, or good looks, somebody upstairs definately must be keepin us around for the laughs..woody

wwingsong wrote:we have proven its not gravity, clean living, or good looks

Nope. And fear and common sense aren't real high on the list either. Whatever it is, it makes for good tales around the campfire at night.

Gump

maybe it's our Berzerker heritage... My dour great uncle Ed tried to put together a Minnesota Hall of Humor near Braham. It was jammed full of the most unfunny Ole and Sven jokes imaginable, plus Lars and Lena thrown in for good measure. Uff-da...

Although, on his last day, he scored with a great shot - He took off his oxygen mask and told the pastor, "You know, this is a breathtaking experience." Way to go Uncle Ed!

well we go rightsa and lefsa when flying?