Oceano (L52) is a really fun airport to visit.  There are a ton of things to do.  They have camping on the field with full shower and laundry facilities.  You can even rent a tent if you can’t bring one or don’t have one.  Just a two block walk from the airport is Pismo Beach, and this is why most people go there.  Pismo is (I think) the only drive-on beach in California.  Because there are cars and trucks on the beach you do have to keep your eyes open but it also makes for some good entertainment when someone gets stuck!  There are a couple of places that rent dune buggies and quads too.  I usually go just to sit and enjoy the ocean.  Can you believe it’s only an hour flight from the Dutchman’s home base?

Los Banos (KLSN) is one of our favorite breakfast destinations.  It’s close, has some of the cheapest fuel around, and has several restaurants right across the street from the airport.  Choose from Me-N-Ed’s Pizza, Country Waffles, Ryan’s, or even McDonald’s.  There are more eateries if you’re willing to walk more than one block.  Silver State Helicopters also offers helicopter flight training at Los Banos.

Auburn (KAUN) is one of those really neat airports. It has a very active population of pilots and also has a great restaurant on the field.  They are open for breakfast and lunch.  My flying buddies and I have made many a breakfast flight to Auburn.  If you haven’t, be sure to stop in.

Sunriver (S21) was my last fuel stop on my infamous day 2 return trip from Oshkosh.  I had left Pierre, SD that morning at 5:30am.  When I arrived at Sunriver the air was getting very bumpy, it was 3:00pm and I was just flat out beat.  I did not want to fly any more that day.  I asked if there was any room at the Sunriver Resort.  “No” was all the reply I got from the front desk at the resort.  One of the FBO guys suggested I call a rent a car and go find a hotel.  The guys at the FBO weren’t very helpful when I first arrived but after I had hung around for an hour or so, taking a nap on their couch in the middle of the busy lobby, they began to take pity on me.  Even so, they weren’t really prepared to help out.  I finally bought some fuel and launched back into the bumpy Oregon afternoon sky vowing never to return.

Page Airport (S95) was fuel stop #3 on my infamous day 2 of my return from Oshkosh.  The guys here were friendly enough but pretty busy working on airplanes.  Stopped here for gas and a soda and then moved on.

Three Forks (9S5) was one of many fuel stops made on my infamous second day of travel on my return from Oshkosh 2005.  I had departed Pierre, SD (KPIR), stopped for fuel at Laurel, MT (6S8), and then made this my second stop for fuel on a day that had me travel around a large series of thunderstorms to finally arrive home after 13 hours of flying!

Laurel (6S8) was a fuel stop on my way back from Oshkosh 2005.  Nothing much to report on this airport other than it was in good condition and made a great fuel stop.

I stopped in Pipestone (KPQN) for fuel on my way back from Oshkosh 2005.  Nothing stands out about this field except that it was out in the middle of nowhere and there were no services other than fuel.  I only stopped here because I was out of gas.

Okay, technically I didn’t fly to Vernonia (05S) but it’s where I received transition training to fly the RV series of aircraft. It is a neat little stip and I have been there so here it is.  I stayed in town at the Vernonia Inn and received my training from Mike Seager in an RV-6.  This is a neat little grass strip but it can be challenging. 

I stopped off at Battle Mountain (KBAM) on my return home from my first visit to Oskhosh.  I was fighting a pretty good headwind and decided I better top off before tackling the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  It was very windy here (as usual) but the reason it really stands out in my mind was the young lady that pumped my fuel for me.  Aside from being a strikingly pretty woman she was also very happy.  She was practically dancing with the fuel hose while dragging it from the tuck to my plane.  She was very friendly and kept a big smile on her oil-smudged face even though five planes all showed up at once for fuel.  I asked her why she was so giddy.  She said she was getting married the next week.  To whom?  Well, a pilot of course! 🙂