Hey all,

A lot of you have supported my videos over the years, so I wanted to share a few things.

First, most of you know that my plane was destroyed in a storm earlier this summer. Fortunately, I got really lucky and found something to replace it. So I'll be back to making new content soon!

Second, the new content will continue the theme of Flying, Cooking and Camping that I started recently and people seem to be vibing with. I'm making a trip in October from Wisconsin to the High Sierra Fly-in and then to San Diego. I haven't camped in Wyoming, Northern Utah nor California, so would welcome recommendations on places to spend nights in those areas.

Third, as mentioned in the Subject, I put together a new website to have all my content in one place. Youtube is great in a lot of ways, but it's easy for little guys to get lost in the shuffle and forgotten by "the algorithm". So those of you that like my stuff can find it all in one place, enter an email address to get notified of new content and be kept in the loop on fly-ins and other events I'll be organizing or attending. You can, of course, still "like and subscribe" on youtube if you prefer.

My new site is RichWellner.com

Thanks again for all the support and the many well wishes that came after N222TF was destroyed.

Most aviation Youtubers annoy the hell out of me but I really enjoy watching your vids. The cooking angle is the perfect thing to get away from the "look at me" or "let me show you how to do this" vibe of most Youtube stuff these days. Good call on packaging it up on your own site.

Not sure of camping spots on that route, but if you can take time enroute, be sure to spend AT LEAST a full day in Cody, WY at the Buffalo Bill Cody Center
of the West. https://centerofthewest.org/

It’s actually five museums, like spokes in a wheel: Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Museum of Western Art, Natural History Museum, and a spectacular firearms museum.

Well worth the time,

MTV

Miracle mile is a cool spot just northeast of Rawlins on the north platte river between the Seminoe and pathfinder reservoirs. Glendo reservoir are two good central wyoming options. Hay springs, NE. Several places up near the black hills: custer st. park, custer county, spearfish.

I've not stayed at Green River inter-galactic but that might be an option.

This past weekend I camped at Bear Lake, ID - 1U7 - right in the far southeastern corner. No campground to speak of but a cool spot with good gras to pitch a tent, courtesy cars and a little fbo. Right near the wyoming, ut, idaho border.

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So glad to hear that you will be back in the air soon!

Kurt

17CL (Las Trancas) near Davenport, California is spectacular if you're comfortable bring a new (to you) plane in to an 800' long strip. It is adjacent to the Monteray Marine Sanctuary, so the scenery couldn't be more spectacular. You have to go through the safety briefing on the RAF's airfield guide. Nearby is the Monteray Academy strip (CA66) also requiring completion of the RAF's safety briefing and owner permission (contact info on http://www.theraf.org). This grass strip is almost 2,300' feet long and again has commanding views of the ocean below.

If the crowds and party noise at the High Sierra become too much (they are for me) you can jump up to the Alvord Desert in Oregon and land/camp on that dry lake bed adjacent to the Alvord Hot Springs. Lots more solitude there and you can actually see the stars overhead because nobody is running generators to light up the night with klieg lights. The High Sierra is a great event, but it is more oriented to folks that want to party long and hard than for folks wanting to commune with nature in the desert. I fly into the backcountry to find quiet in my life and the High Sierra doesn't check that box anymore. There will be lots of great planes there, lots of interesting people and some good flying in the area plus the STOL drag event. Just be aware of what you are flying in to. It's no longer the event that ZZZ made the video of in 2014. That video is what got me back in to flying and trying my hand at backcountry adventures. I still enjoy small group or solo explorations into the hinterland for camping next to my plane. I have been to the modern High Sierra fly-in twice, but probably won't go back. If you do go, be sure to post your impressions on your website, on YouTube and maybe here as well.

Here's my Maule on the Alvord Desert in 2021


And here I am at the 2019 High Sierra for comparison. All of the motorhomes behind me arrived after I set up camp, and all were running generators with big lights at night.

There's absolute NO risk of hearing a generator here !!



I'm looking forward to any meal suggestions offered, outdoor cuisines are the BEST

Flyhound wrote:If the crowds and party noise at the High Sierra become too much (they are for me) you can jump up to the Alvord Desert in Oregon and land/camp on that dry lake bed adjacent to the Alvord Hot Springs.

I see it in google maps. Small place, right? Like 8 miles long? Just show up and camp and buy access to the hot springs while there?

Zzz wrote:Most aviation Youtubers annoy the hell out of me but I really enjoy watching your vids. The cooking angle is the perfect thing to get away from the "look at me" or "let me show you how to do this" vibe of most Youtube stuff these days. Good call on packaging it up on your own site.

Thanks Zane, I always appreciate your support since I think you make some of the best content around.

soyAnarchisto wrote:Miracle mile is a cool spot just northeast of Rawlins on the north platte river between the Seminoe and pathfinder reservoirs.

This looks like it would be ideal. Thanks!

rw2 wrote:Hey all,

A lot of you have supported my videos over the years, so I wanted to share a few things.

First, most of you know that my plane was destroyed in a storm earlier this summer. Fortunately, I got really lucky and found something to replace it. So I'll be back to making new content soon!


My new site is RichWellner.com

Thanks again for all the support and the many well wishes that came after N222TF was destroyed.

Wait wait wait... you can't just waltz back in here, say you got a new plane, and then not tell us what it is. Spill it Rich and please tell me it's another Maule!

gdflys wrote:Wait wait wait... you can't just waltz back in here, say you got a new plane, and then not tell us what it is. Spill it Rich and please tell me it's another Maule!

You aren't the boss of me!

It's not "another Maule", it's the one and only experimental Maule in existence. I needed ADSB for one of my bases and I just got the FAA thumbs up on that today. So now I'm ready to start flying and making more content. I'm trying to camp this weekend and make shish kabobs or Oklahoma style smashburgers or something...

rw2 wrote:I'm trying to camp this weekend and make shish kabobs or Oklahoma style smashburgers or something...

Can't wait to see the video Rich!

Exciting news. Congrats on the new beast mode Maule.

rw2 wrote:....It's not "another Maule", it's the one and only experimental Maule in existence....

Bushwhacker?

hotrod180 wrote:

rw2 wrote:....It's not "another Maule", it's the one and only experimental Maule in existence....

Bushwhacker?

Good lord, I'm a moron. How could I have forgotten about Bushwhacker!

Ok, one of only a small number of experimental Maules in existence!

I'd like to hear more about it.

Congrats on both. Also, Bushwheel Bill had one built up also. There are a few out there that never get in the lime light and a few from the factory that get into the hands of a backyard mechanic.

Also, to be fair I know of several experimental malls in various states of existence.

Glad you are back in the air, Rich!