Backcountry Pilot

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Ok everyone, I need some input from you all. At the first of next month I have the chance to fly a C172SP from Conneticut to Utah. While I have done the trip many times in the flight levels, this will be the first in a GA aircraft.

What I need from you guys are suggestions on cool, "must-see" places to drop in and check out. Weather and time permitting, I would like to take the chance to check out some aviation gems on our way back west. Instead of doing the mad dash across country and not seeing anything, I'd like to see some great airports. I kind of compare it to driving across the country using highways and back roads as opposed to just flying down the interstate at 80 mph.

So let me know what you think. I'm looking at three different routes: a northern route, a mid-country route, and a southern route. So give me your suggestions. I'm sure that some of them will fall on at least one of the routes I've planned.

Thanks in advance!

Grassstrip

[soaringhiggy offline]

Don't go to Kankakee Ill. They are rude, and opportunistic at that FBO in my experience.
Oh yea, don't stop at Lusk Wyo. either, it is not a hot spot for fun and good times.

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Thanks for the heads up. Neither are on my list of possible stops.

[patrol guy offline]

...if you are passing through Ohio, you are welcome at Graham Field (OH82) , my private farm strip.

There is a heated building with shower, restroom, and a place for sleeping bags, if you need a stop over destination. JG

[Vick offline]

This place is on my list to visit but I've never been there personally. Not sure it would be all that great for a 172 and I don't think they even have fuel, but it sure looks interesting...

http://www.leebottom.com/

[Grassstrippilot offline]

...if you are passing through Ohio, you are welcome at Graham Field (OH82) , my private farm strip.

There is a heated building with shower, restroom, and a place for sleeping bags, if you need a stop over destination. JG

Hey Patrol Guy,

Thanks for the invite. I'll look where you are located and see if you are near our routes. Of course, weather will be determining where we will be flying across the country. I'll definitely keep it in mind and sure do appreciate the invite.

Thanks,
Grassstrip

[Grassstrippilot offline]

This place is on my list to visit but I've never been there personally. Not sure it would be all that great for a 172 and I don't think they even have fuel, but it sure looks interesting...

http://www.leebottom.com/

I read an article not so long ago in Pilot magazine about this place. Looks like a great place. Thanks for the link.

[qmdv offline]

lee bottm looks great. The best part is when you click on the site, the second photo has a guy on final with a nuc plant in the background. Love green power.

I have been thinking about a cross country this sumer, may have to plan it arround a fly in to that place.

Tim

[Lizard offline]

Bedford Iowa has a beautiful grass strip and a house converted to a pilot lounge, almost like stopping at a buddys place. Impressive to this desert pilot.
Dale

[58Skylane offline]

The Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio is a must see!!

[denalipilot offline]

I received the most incredible airport hospitality yet from a delightful family that owns/ manages this grass strip. If you drop in, please tell them hello from the Alaskan Taylorcraft pilot.

Gen-Airpark (3G8)
GENESEO, IL

Privately Owned, Public Use
2.0 mi. SE of city.
N41-26.39 W090-06.60
Mag Var: 1 deg E
Phone: 309-944-8126
[email protected]



Now if you want to select your route based on more practical matters, Crookston, MN is next to a U of M campus where you can slip into the athletic building for showers, and Monticello, IL used to have a retired police cruiser for a courtesy car, with the seal of the city on the doors.

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Man,

I wish that I was doing this in about 5 months from now. None the less, thanks for the good info and keep it coming.

Grassstrip

[qmdv offline]

Makes me want to plan a cross county.

Tim

[wwingsong offline]

check out 4r5 madeline island lake superior

[Diana offline]

This place is on my list to visit but I've never been there personally. Not sure it would be all that great for a 172 and I don't think they even have fuel, but it sure looks interesting...

http://www.leebottom.com/

This is a beautiful grass strip along the river. I stayed in the cute little cottage next to the runway on my grass strip tour last May. I got fuel at another airfield, since they didn't have fuel. For food, I heated up hot water in the little coffee pot in the cottage and used it for my MRE.

Unfortunately the owners were gone while I was there. I was looking forward to meeting Ginger and Rich, darnit.

[Diana offline]

...if you are passing through Ohio, you are welcome at Graham Field (OH82) , my private farm strip.

There is a heated building with shower, restroom, and a place for sleeping bags, if you need a stop over destination. JG

I highly recommend John's farm.

[Diana offline]

Don't go to Kankakee Ill. They are rude, and opportunistic at that FBO in my experience.

I flew into Glenndale, IN (8I3) about 80 miles from there. The people were absolutely wonderful! One guy drove me into town and bought me lunch. It's a fun and active grass strip with very friendly people

[Diana offline]

Ok everyone, I need some input from you all. At the first of next month I have the chance to fly a C172SP from Conneticut to Utah.

So that I don't repeat everything in my other thread, I'm just going to post a link to it with more information:

phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1163

[skybobb offline]

If you stop in Dayton, you should go to the Wright Bicycle shop down town. They give a great tour and my wife and I enjoyed it.
A good place to stop for fuel is Red Oak, Ia. They are a friendly place, Grass strp also as well as asphalt, courtesy car, and even a place to stay over if you need it. Real friendly people run it and accomadating. Bob

[soaringhiggy offline]

This is the route that I took from Main to Idaho.

I recommend Zanesville Ohio for an overnight. You can drive to John Glenns museum with the courtesy free car. Nice facility nice folks.


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