What a great first fly-in! Lee and the CPA put together a great little deal today with a big help from the Sand Dunes Hot Springs Pool. We had terrific weather and 21 planes (planes and pilots of all types, but the most popular plane was the good ol' 182).

A few of us camped that night and boy, we all froze are arse's off!!! I think it went down to the mid teens. (Time to order a Wiggy's bag!) Ernie drove down from Sidney, NE and kept us good company.

A few of us gave rides to the Sand Dunes employees and friends and they sure loved it. We also had a reporter come out from the Alamosa Valley Courier to cover the fly-in (she even was treated to a wonderful flight).

Smile's all around and lots of families having a great time. This is something Colorado is not well known for, so it was a joy to see in person.

Many thanks to all, and especially Hooper Hot Springs of being terrific hosts!

Cheers,
MM

Flying over Hayden Pass


Another great Colorado sunset


Campfire stories


Playing with the new camera at night (11pm)


New windsock


The frozen four


Over the great sand dunes NP.


The caretaker of Hooper taking his "son" along.


Rural Stinson parking


Randy and the family show up in the 182


Lee giving us backcountry pilots a good name by taking the Valley Courier lady flying (She was amped!)


More arrivials


and more arrivals


Cross Arrow in his wicked Highlander


Lunch time!


Runway looking East


Almost all the group


A little dusty at times




Nice flight home (Hayden Pass)

Now I REALLY wish I could have made it! But there's always next year, right?

Cary

John and I had a great time. Thanks to the organizers and especially the owners! Lets do it again in the fall.

I would like to have attended. Life gets in the way sometimes. I used to live in
Alamosa many years ago. In the spring the wind blows sand all the way up from Mexico. Of course, that is how the dunes were formed. I would pick any other time of the year to visit if I had a choice. I think fall would be the best. The sand will do a number on your paint job. There have been times that I could not see my garage 25 feet away.
Charles

Glad it went well! My family left yesterday evening, so even though I wasn't there, I was having fun too! Matt, nice picture of Charlie at night, that's sweet!

*Great* photos, Matt! My camera decided to die in a permanent way on the way down.

The biggest thanks should go to the owner, the BCP and CPA and others that donated material and funds, and the crew that put in a *LOT* of work and time to set up the windsock.

Let's make sure this is an annual (or more) event!

Thanks to everyone that helped out Nice to meet some people I've only seen on here and some I haven't.
Mike

I love the night shot Matt! I need a camera like that.

Great shots !

Really cool to see the snow on the mountains behind the desert.

I drove to the flyin at Hooper.......You couldn't have ordered a more perfect day!



Matt and our host



Matt departing Hooper with our Host



Super Cub landing at Hooper

Nice job on the video Matt.
Gary

Nice!

'Greg

Very cool Matt. Looks like a great time! What kind of camera is your new toy?

FYI, I'll be in DEN the end of April. I'll let you know when.

Thanks guys!

Cory: Let me know and we'll get a bite to eat and catch up on life.