Okay here we go on another trip, in the 185 this time, and in the West.

Let's start in West Texas in oil country. The interesting thing to report is the number of aircraft flying, and at least half pipeline patrol.


First fuel stop in Las Cruces, NM.



Next stop, and where I'll stay the night, Tombstone AZ.






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Can I put that oil well pic on my Facebook page? If so, thanks.

Cool pictures!

How did it feel getting in the 185 after nearly 300 hours in the SQ2 this summer? Nice to have your long legs back?

180Marty, sure.
CamTom12, been working at slow flight and super slow flight. Sure different. Used to just blipping the throttle on the SQ2 to go from sink to fly, the 185 takes just a bit more, okay a lot more. Have to admit it's fun to go 165 again. Hope to take 1st place in heavy touring at the next Roundup, got a lot of flying to do to get there though. Be a fun journey no matter where I finish.


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My favorite sign in Tombstone


I had no idea they were so close to each other in the gun fight.



Fun place. Tons and tons of history. Really cool.


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So I forgot to mention two of the strangest parts of today's flight. Around San Angelo TX I pick up an ADS-B target 20 miles in front of me, same altitude, same airspeed -160mph indicated. By the looks of his track he is headed exactly the same way I am, directly towards El Paso. Nothing changes for nearly two hours other then I go higher for a short time, lose some of my tailwind so drop back down, and he does the same. I'm curious so I take the N-number ADS-B shows and check it in Flightaware. A Beechcraft. Hmm. As he nears El Paso he veers north and goes between the airport and all the restricted airspace to the north. A makes a direct line to Las Cruces. Cool, I'll get a chance to see what kind of Beechcraft it is. Ten miles out (I'm still 30 out) he calls traffic. "Helicopter blah blah blah blah blah". Shocked I radio him to find out what he is flying. He lands and gets fuel. Shortly after I land and get fuel, take a pee, stretch my legs. When I finally get back in the air headed for Tombstone there he is again, in the same spot, only headed to Safford. We talk briefly again. Too weird.


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Barnstormer wrote:Be a fun journey no matter where I finish.

x2!!

Big Bear is a good fuel stop right now. I was there a couple weeks ago, cheapest gas I've bought in years, $3.59 a gallon.

robw56 wrote:Big Bear is a good fuel stop right now. I was there a couple weeks ago, cheapest gas I've bought in years, $3.59 a gallon.

That's why I picked Big Bear (that and I haven't been there since I was 16).

Speaking of picking places, this is the place to stay in Tombstone, super friendly and helpful proprietors, will pickup/drop off at the airport.



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This is the place to have breakfast in Tombstone. Great food, great coffee and just a short walk from the motel. Okay everything is a short walk from the motel.


Second best sausage gravy in the country me thinks, mine being the best of course.



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Thanks for the pics Phil. I've never flown out to SoCal in the Winter....what's the weather generally like? Sounds like a vacation opportunity.

Bill

Barnstormer wrote:Second best sausage gravy in the country me thinks, mine being the best of course.

Next Oshkosh stop by my farm near KLNR and we'll get you some at the Piccadilly Lilly. You know, as market research.

Great Trip Report Phil! Keep 'em going!

gunny

Barnstormer wrote:"Helicopter blah blah blah blah blah". Shocked I radio him to find out what he is flying.

The suspense is killing me. What was he flying? I was hoping that you were going to tell us that you were running down a Bonanza driver.

Landing short like a helicopter = really cool. Crusing speed like a helicopter = not so much!

This is Tombstone airport. It's actually a paved runway, guess the runway maps data hasn't been updated.

Across the valley from Tombstone are the mountains where Cochise's stronghold was. He is buried somewhere up there in an unmarked grave.

Flying out here in the late Fall/early Winter is great. Generally no much turbulence in the mountains, cooler air so plane flys better.

The helicopter was a yellow one. I don't know my whirlybird, thing there were some "B"'s in the name maybe some "6"'s?


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Tucson in the distance.

A bunch of mines in the area.

On the way to Blythe.

Guess if you get tired of farming crops you farm solar.

Blythe airport.




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Big Bear. Fun to fly into. Sure I'll piss everyone off when I leave. [emoji51]







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