Hey all,

Possibly flying a supercub from Dallas area, tx to central coast CA next week. Any recommendations on cool airports or cities to check out?? I mostly like the small airports (no xpdr) that have cheap gas, and some "salt-o-the earth" types to bullshit with. Close to town is good too in case I stay the night.

Basically planning to head west and catch I-10 and see what happens, or maybe stay a little farther north and go thru monument valley, lake powell and down thru Vegas and so forth.

Probably depart noonish on Monday, so I will most likely be in west TX the first night.

Any ideas are welcome!

Thanks, aaron

Aaron

I do not know what you consider central Cal., But.

The Ried Hillview airport has two runways and the old Amelia Reid building now houses
the Aerodynamic Aviation. they teach 99% of their students in old rag an tube planes of several vintages. Good vibes to hang around. A few miles south is the water and grass strip of Frazer lake.

I will have a room available and most likely could get you some transportation. I live in Palo Alto about 25 mile north but keep my plane at KRHV since most of the areas more friendly flyers are there.

PM me if interested or call home # 650-321-5357.
It is an OLD cottage with not much heat but the price is right.

Maybe you could take me up in my modified 170B. Medical is done for a while while I get some cataracts taken care of.

Chris C

Nice trip, what part of the central coast are you going to? Wish I was there, sigh.
Years ago I used to fly between Houston and Santa Ana, much to my surprise El Paso is halfway.
It's been too long since I flew, or drove for that matter, along I 10 to be much help. sorry.

If you end up in Lubbock I know of a great Thai restaurant. (of all places) I'll be in Midland Saturday then back to Austin to pack the rest of my stuff up before my girl leaves me! I'll be in Twin Falls all winter and Stanley all summer so hopefully I get to meet some of you in the near future. Funny how my old lady doesn't like me being gone 240 days a year!

Oh and if you end up going through El Paso and like BBQ head to State Line BBQ. It's not far from Dona Ana at Santa Teresa. (5T6)

Sorry about the multiple post my internet is all jacked up. Roommate thought it would be good to have the Geek Squad come in and change everything! *@#$#@$

If you find your self up toward I-40 in Az make a pit stop at L37 - Grand Canyon Caverns. No gas but you can taxi off the dirt strip down the access road and pull up in front of the restaurant/convenience store on Rt 66. Pictures of the plane parked in front of the old cars are fun. They have rooms too if you want to use it as an overnight stop. Kingman is just west so you can hit that for gas on the way west. Pretty unique stop you won't forget.

If you find your self up toward I-40 in Az make a pit stop at L37 - Grand Canyon Caverns. No gas but you can taxi off the dirt strip down the access road and pull up in front of the restaurant/convenience store on Rt 66. Pictures of the plane parked in front of the old cars are fun. They have rooms too if you want to use it as an overnight stop. Kingman is just west so you can hit that for gas on the way west. Pretty unique stop you won't forget.

Santa Rosa NM airport has a runway that used to be a section of Route 66. It is on your way. Almost all the small town airports near I 40 on your way out are quirky in some way. There is a museum on the field in Kingman AZ I think. Don't miss flying over the meteor crater at Winslow AZ.

Vick wrote:If you find your self up toward I-40 in Az make a pit stop at L37 - Grand Canyon Caverns. No gas but you can taxi off the dirt strip down the access road and pull up in front of the restaurant/convenience store on Rt 66. Pictures of the plane parked in front of the old cars are fun. They have rooms too if you want to use it as an overnight stop. Kingman is just west so you can hit that for gas on the way west. Pretty unique stop you won't forget.

That would be a very cool trip along Route 66!! When you get into CA. I would land at Amboy and get a picture under the Roy's sign. Might be able to get mogas (with Ethanol) there?? Russ?? Not sure if the pump hoses are long enough though.

Next stop could be California City (L71). I heard they have cheaper fuel than some places. And Tehachapi (KTSP) normally has cheaper fuel, too.

Take lot's of pictures and post here

Thanks for all the replies so far, keep 'em coming! Although they could be negatively influencing my decision because I still have to look at the plane and decide if I want to buy it...I love this kind of cross country flying and don't get to do it often, so I hope I dont make any rash decisions just so I can do the flight

My destination will be King City, CA

Looks like I'll probably lean towards the I-40 route for now, I like the nostalgia of the old route 66.

BTW, If I do buy the plane, I'll have a nice '46 Cessna 140 that I'm looking to find a new home for

Bart,

I've flown the route twice to San Jose KRHV.
Once when I bought my PA-11 and once
when I bought my Husky.
RecommendationsT27 DMN CGZ P20 APV BFL
and of course KIC.

Fly early take bottled water hydrate.

Enjoy the low and slow flight.

Send me the info on your 140...

Very interested in this thread. Am planning on taking my backcountry C175B out to the Palm Springs area from Kansas City area the week of December 12 going through Texas, (seeing my mom and a buddy in west Texas). Anybody interested in doing some desert flying in Jan, Feb, or March?

Pat

cublite wrote:Very interested in this thread. Am planning on taking my backcountry C175B out to the Palm Springs area from Kansas City area the week of December 12 going through Texas, (seeing my mom and a buddy in west Texas). Anybody interested in doing some desert flying in Jan, Feb, or March?

Pat

Let us know when you're in town Pat, we're ready to go.
Did you get rid of your 180?

On my way back from Oshkosh this year I swung down through Oklahoma and past the Dallas/Ft. Worth area on my way home. I spent my first night in Sweetwater, TX. They have a courtesy car and a great little diner up the highway in Roscoe. Easily the BEST hamburger I have ever eaten and the friendlies waitresses. Another great stop was in Marana, AZ. Great restaurant on the field.

My route was:
Decatur, TX
Sweetwater, TX (good diner)
Carlsbad, NM
Las Cruses, NM
Marana, AZ (good restaurant)
Blythe, CA
Rosamond, CA (I'd go to Lancaster instead next time)

Then either up the valley or straight over to the coast and up to King City. This time of year I'd avoid the central valley in California due to ground fog. The coast is usually clear this time of year. I picked this route because it had the lowest terrain.

Once you get to the coast I would recommend staying in either Monterey (to the north) with lots of touristy things to do. Or in San Luis Obispo or Oceano (to the south) where you can rent off road stuff and hit the dunes at Pismo Beach. Both have great places to eat and beaches. But remember these are California beaches which aren't all that warm even in the summer!

Thanks Scott,

I'm actually from the Modesto area so I know about the valley fog all too well If you ever hang out at the Modesto airport then I bet I've seen you around, or at least know some of the same people. My 140 is over there right now, just got the annual done and trying to find time to pick it up ( I live in King City)

Aaron

I fly out of Oakdale actually. But I know some of the Modesto folks, Peanut and Willis, and a few of the other EAA guys.

I need to get over to the coast more often. Love it over there.

Hafast,

Nope, still have the 180 in the stable. No hangar space at Kudd and I'm not as worried about the paint job on the ole 175. Had it for 35 years come this spring. I'll let you know when I am in the area, thanks for the response.

Pat

Hafast,

Nope, still have the 180 in the stable. No hangar space at Kudd and I'm not as worried about the paint job on the ole 175. Had it for 35 years come this spring. I'll let you know when I am in the area, thanks for the response.

Pat