Well, I just returned from northern Minnesota. My girlfriend has some extended family there so we went to visit. What a cool place! They call it "Land of 10,000 lakes" and that is no bullshit. In the NE corner of the state is a national park called Boundary Waters that is a very popular canoe touring destination. To look at it on the map is incredible, it looks like a massive splatter of lakes a waterways.
I had scheduled a scenic flight of the area with a local air service, VanAir, who has a Cessna 180 and 206, both on floats. I was really looking forward to it, but unfortunately the weather went to shit for latter part of the week and we couldn't go.

I was impressed because I have always wanted my float rating, but figured there would be no practical usage unless one lives in Alaska. In Northern Minnesota, you could go exclusively floats for most of the year.

I'm sure BRD has something to say about this, since this is his backyard.

Zane

I'll have to make sure to get up there for a visit, I have heard that area is spectacular. We are in the high desert, landlocked Colorado and want to move where there is water.

Lately I have been applying for jobs in Juneau and Anchorage. No shortage of aviation fun there.

Glad you had a good trip Zane! Vanair is a first class outfit, too bad the weather went south on ya'. They got a couple of one-time STC's for their aircraft so they can legally haul external loads (canoes) with passengers here in the lower 48.

Yup, lots of folks go on straight floats all summer here and then skis in the winter. There are endless places to fly and land with this set up. I used to ramp my Cub at the house.

Of course amphibs make everything even better because you can put the airplane in the hangar when the inevitable T-storm blasts through. Otherwise, sheltered coves and good ropes are handy

Come on out and get your rating here at Madden's resort in a 160 hp Super Cub on 'phibs. They have a good rate. I think it's $1,700 for the seaplane rating, 3 nights at the lodge, meals and golf at one of their three 18's. Otherwise there are a number of other instructors around the state. You could stay with your rellies and find one in Tower. Vanair would know.

If you're not flying fighters, float flying is the next best thing!

Brad

Next summer, it's on! I found some place on the web, and now I can't remember who it was, that will rent a PA-12 as well as a C180, both on floats, for qualified pilots. This meant 100+ hrs TT and 10+ hrs float time. That seems pretty lenient to me.

Thanks for the info Brad, hopefully we can hook up next time I'm out.

Z

Zane, that area is simply gods country. You can not imagine how much water there is until you get in the air. When you go on north and cross the rainey river (US-Canada border) into Ontario it appears that there is as much water as dry land. A zillion miles of nothing but trees and water.
BRD you are to be envied, what a wonderful place to live. I am going to Canada Friday to winterize the cottage. I would expect by the time I head back in 2 weeks, some of the leaves on the trees up there will be starting to lighten up. I guess the ski's will be going on before you know it.

Well said. We ventured up into Canada, to Thunder Bay, Ontario. I really love that whole area. Like you said, so much water. Next year...going back. Would be fun to hook up with some locals.

Zane:

The Minnesota contingent of supercub.org will be partaking in the second annual Fall Colors Aerial Tour in a month. We had a blast last fall and expect even better this year.

You, and others here, have probably seen the thread in the Supercub Gatherings section of that forum. We're expecting flyers from Michigan and Illinois this time; it get better and better.

All the gang were on wheels last year but there will likely be at least one (Husky) on amphibs this time. We even stayed on paved (gasp!) runways. That will change for 2005.

Jon B.

JB - just copy and paste - your other one works fine.

So you talked Bro Dan into coming this year? Can he stand flying with a Champ hanging around?

We also have an open invite for anyone to come along on a run to Caledonia, MN over Labor Day weekend and catch monster trout in a private access pond. Near LaCrosse, WI.

Brad

Brad:

Yep. Dan's planning on joining in. He's OK with the Champ; it's the Super Cub guys I have to beware of...

The real question is whether the Cub dudes will allow a Husky in their midst. David Jaranson, the host, has assured us that we're both welcome at his place. Dan will still be on amphibs, so the Cub guys won't try luring him into a short-field peeing contest. Probably. Maybe.

September is shaping up to be a busy month:

Brown's fly-in on the 17/18th, the Taildragger fly-in at Aitkin on the 17/18th (I'm trying for both), the fall colors run on the 24/25th. I imagine there's some place to go on the 10/11th weekend, as well. Flying, flying, flying; what's a guy to do?

Jon B.