Day 1 started out with a low in eastern Kansas, a threat of thunderstorms along the route, and a lot of low IFR. Now I don't mind a little IMC from time to time, and in fact relish a well-flown approach. But an approach to mins after not seeing the ground from Arkansas to Kansas with TSRAs on the route isn't my cup of tea. So, I went nowhere on Day 1!
Day 2 was more of the same... the cold front was a little closer but still between me and my destination. Another 24-hour delay.
Finally on Day 3 I was able to make some westward progress. I departed my home airport into a 500-foot overcast, but the worst of the rain was behind me and I was headed to better weather. My rule of thumb is I have to be able to reach VMC before I run out of gas and daylight. In this case, all good! It looked like this leaving Arkansas but I was in great VMC by the time I reached my fuel stop at Great Bend, Kansas.
Then I headed west towards the Denver area under VFR. I hoped to make it into Boulder for the pickup but the weather was bad up against the front range. I held out hope that I'd be able to get into Jeffco or Centennial, but Colorado Springs was my backup plan. I split the difference and followed I-70 westbound while keeping tabs on the weather via Foreflight and ADS-B. C Springs didn't look good but Centennial was holding up. I passed Limon, Colorado under a 3000-foot ceiling and said to myself that I didn't want to land there. About 15 miles later the ceiling was 1200 overcast and Limon sounded a whole lot better! I turned around and headed back there to update the weather and look at my options. About the time I landed, the Centennial METAR was 2000-1 in -RAGR with lighting in the vicinity and a gusty northwest wind. I had to look up GR... it's hail. Limon looked better and better so I decided to spend the night there! Got the courtesy car from the city, headed to the hotel, and got a beer and a steak at Oscar's. All good.
Day 4 was forecast to be sunny so I planned an early start. But Ma Nature wasn't done yet. When I got up that morning, the temp was in the mid-20s with two inches of new snow. Yikes! That'll put a damper on things. Headed out to the airport and started to deice the 180 using that little blue-handled windshield brush, a stand, some help from a transitory gyroplane pilot, and a lot of sunlight.
While I was waiting, I talked to a Colorado State Trooper who flew a 182 for the state police. He gave me some good tips on routes through the mountains. A class act! Two hours later, I was free of snow and ice and the engine was warm so off we went. Finally! Grabbed my buddy at Centennial and we headed southwest across Trout Creek Pass, over Salida, and through the Marshall Pass. We had a few bumps but nothing too severe, and it felt good to see a 210 headed the opposite direction on the same route. Yeah! We were into western Colorado and then shortly into Utah. Finally!
First stop was Mexican Mountain. I've wanted to land here since my 2013 trip, so that was the first order of business. After a low pass and a review of Galen Hanselman's book, I made a good landing and we proceeded to check out the area and bed down for the night. The strip was in great condition. Only thing that surprised me was the cattle in the area and the associated deposits. Wear shoes at night, I told myself! My buddy went in search of an arch while I waited on a nearby hill for the arrival of a third buddy in a Glasair Sportsman. An hour later, he too was on the deck and we proceeded to throw a couple back, bake some potatoes on the fire, and tell lies. Great night!
The next morning (Day 5) was another great flying day, a gift from Ma Nature who was now apparently on my side. After some hot coffee and oatmeal, we were off to Hidden Splendor for the canyon approach to 34. All I have to say about that is WOW! I was so busy enjoying the scenery and avoiding the rocks that I didn't get any pictures. But the strip was in great condition! And I'm glad to put that one in my logbook. Hope to get back to that one again!
We then headed up to Carbon County for the essentials: 100LL, wifi, and electricity to charge our devices. While there, we took a look at the hardware in Red Tail Aviation's hangar. They had a 207, a GA-8 Airvan, and a Kodiak Quest. Looks like fun to me! Where do I sign up?
After that it was on to Mineral Canyon for another night under the stars (and the full moon). Another strip in good condition, although a few ruts for the nose dragger crowd. It was warm enough for a dip into the Green River, which was not warm at all! That plus a walk to an old uranium mine and some time sitting under the wing looking at the invasive tamarisk wrapped up Day 5.
Day 6 dawned bright and early. I was on borrowed time and had to get back to Arkansas. I woke up as the sun was rising in the east and the moon was setting in the west. More coffee and oatmeal and we were off the strip and headed east. Made a quick pit-stop in Montrose to add some percents to my iPad and some 100LL to my tanks. Another good ride through Marshall Pass at 11,500ish and we were back into civilization.
Dropped my buddy back in Centennial (busy place!) and headed east to Arkansas IFR. Ma Nature shined on me again with a gentle push that got me home in a 4.7. Wow! Great trip, and I look forward to the next one!
