After 5 months of practicing my Spanish we are leaving BCS. Will spend tonight at the Hotel Serenidad in Mulege, BCS. Tomorrow we clear customs at Calexico and then stop for the night at the Harris Ranch in Coalinga, CA. I hear the steaks are great and the smell isn't. Will advise.

Ford,

Fly safe, and enjoy the trip.

MTV

Hi Ford and Wendy. Have a fun safe flight. Please keep us updated so we know your ok. Cheers...Rob

Runway is narrow so there may be a tendancy to set up the approach too low if landing at night. Landing to the north there's some low wires on short final (I watched 'em whiz under my Mooney's wheels one night!).

Enjoy your trip!

bumper

About time you got away from those Corona's. Welcome back to God's country, do a three splash landing for me. Steve

Long day today made even longer by headwinds all the way. Left Mulege and slogged our way to Calexico where I got another 18 gusting 24 kt 90 degree crosswind! Fuel was $3.26 gal in Loreto and $4.80 gal in Calexico. Had lunch, yes Mexican food, at Rosa's, excellent. Left for Coalinga, over the Salton Sea, east of Big Bear Lake and past Palmdale, Tehacapi, to Harris Ranch. Head winds continued and had 20 kts but right down the runway.

Runway is a bit narrow but not as bad as Farias Wheel. Dinner was as good as we expected. Will make a run to Carson City tomorrow.

Hotel Serenidad runway and parked in front of the hotel. I had one of the restaurant employees wash and degrease the plane, $45 and a nice job.

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I guess I don't know how to post 2 pictures in one posting.

I spent the 1999-2000 new year in mulege,
Nice town,stayed at Los Cacitas, $12 lobster dinner.
I hope they get the crime thing out of the way down there,cuz I really like to thaw out down there in the cold months.

Ford-
Sounds like you are plowing your way back north...they don't call it uphill for nothing. I'm on the smoker to Loreto on Sunday...just missed you by a few days. Hope to see you in Baja Canada this summer!
Don

Don, sorry to have missed you but you will have some good fishing in Loreto as I hear the yellowtail are in.

We left Harris Ranch yesterday with calm winds on the ground. During climb out I noticed we were pigging along and when we set up power settings for cruise I was alarmed at the 93 kt ground speed. Checking with Flight Watch confirmed that I had not left a parachute towing behind me or the flaps down, we had 30-40 kts on the nose out of the north. As we got near the Sierras we tightened up the belts and got ready for misery as we crossed over around Markleville. To our surprise we did not have any blood loss or bruising, just 10 min of moderate turbulence. Again winds were calm on the ground.

We were met by friends and fellow BCP member who again allowed us to use his hangar apartment and car, super nice and way over the top for friendship. After unloading I couldn't help but visit a couple of hangars that had their doors open. One had a beautiful biplane in it and the other has a rather nice Sea Bee. You could call it a Sea Bee but it actually is a handmade upgraded, 500 hp, work of art. I would feel like I was spitting on the Mona Lisa to even sit in the plane. A far cry from my poor bird that sits outside except for maintenance, sigh.

So today we do some shopping and exploring. Tomorrow after I am dropped off to "help" with the start of the annual, the wife will hit the womanly places without me. I will make a few calls to some guys and see what they are up to. To be cont'd-

The latest plan is to leave Carson City tomorrow morning. The annual is done except for prop balancing and they want the wind to be calm to perform that. Yesterday I found out that the runway was closed and today from 7am till 6 pm so we decided to wait till tomorrow to leave. If all goes as planned we will stop at qmvd's place for a sort "Howdy" and then continue north. Had hoped to see Zane but looks like he is going to traveling tomorrow as well. Anyway, depending on weather and such, we will end up somewhere around the OR/WA border and spend the night and resting up for the dash to BC. Also have to be ready for my e-Apis fiasco and then the dreaded customs interrogation.

Yesterday we saw some wildlife living on the grounds of the airport here. I don't want all you big game hunters to get excited and schedule a trip down here. This little one was one of 3 running around just before dark with mom and pop. TBC

Final Chapter- Left Carson City Thurs am about 10:30 am and flew to qmdv"s strip. Nice strip and Tim is about done with a very nice hangar complete with a boys meeting room. Departed after a tour and direct to Pendleton, OR. Borrowed a car from Larry at Pendleton Aviation, super nice guy and very helpful. Checked out the Pendleton Mill and retail sales store then we walked thru Hambly's Western Wear and Tack store. After that we got a beer at Hambly's Restaurant which was next door. Dinner again at Stetson's Restaurant and some fried oysters to start. Nice place.

This am got going about 8 and got my e_Apis stuff filed and then we took off for Penticton, BC where we cleared customs and fueled. A mere $1.58 per liter which is about $5.98 per gal. Good to be home From there it was dodge some T-storms and then landed at my neighbor's grass strip where I had the worst landing of my career.

Getting the house opened up and everything running. Will loaf around for awhile and rest up from the travels and then get ready for Alaska!!!

A correction needs to be made here. I do not have a hanger, hangor, or hangur. I have a storage building that I happen to be storing an airplane in. I also store a bunch of parts for a 32 Ford roadster.

Ford came by yesterday with his wife Wendy. Nice folks. Stayed for an hour or so and headed north.


If they stop by your place, keep an eye on your dog. Wendy (pictured) wanted it in the worst way.

Tim