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! 🙂

 

 

Cottage Grove (61S) is another favorite airport.  Practically all of Oregon’s state-owned airports allow you to camp on the field and that’s just what I do at this airport.  There is a beaufiul river that runs across one end of the runway.  You can pitch your tent on a small bluff just above that river.  Even though you are in town you really don’t feel like it.  You look out your tent and see trees and river but a five minute walk will bring you to Wendy’s and Walmart.  There is also a taxiway that will allow you to taxi right up to town and tie down behind the gas station.  From there you can walk across the street and “camp” in a very nice Motel.  I stayed there once too though I can’t remember the name.  The motel also serves as an RV park and has a couple of acres of manicured green lawn in and around the complex.  There is also a golf course within easy walking distance.  I first visited Cottage Grove on my golf tour of Oregon.  I have since made it a stop on each visit and have even flown there just to camp.  This airport is a must see!

 

 

I flew to Casa Grande (KCGZ) in 2004 in lieu of going to Oshkosh. I flew to Casa Grande for the Copperstate EAA Regional Fly-In.  This is a very low-key informal event.  A great place to fly if you want to see some nice planes without all the crowds.  I stayed at a hotel in town.  Copperstate has arranged for a local Christian outreach ministry to provide transportation for a nominal fee which goes to pay for gas and not much more.  They make the 10 mile or so run between the airport and town all day long.  The fly-in was okay but I really fell in love with the town.  At around sunset I just started walking to find dinner.  I saw some beautiful old mud-brick architecture.  The town itself was very clean.  I finally stopped at a hole-in-the-wall Mexican food place.  I ate my tomales on a tremendous picnic table under yellow bug lights in the warm Arizona evening air.  It was really nice.  Even if you aren’t going to Copperstate be sure to stop in at Casa Grande some time and explore the town.

 

 

I’ve stopped at Fox Field (KWJF) perhaps 5 times or so.  This is my fuel stop enroute to southern Nevada or Arizona.  The controllers here are always professional and helpful.  Gas prices are okay and there is a restaraunt on the field.  I’ve heard that the winds can get fierce here but have never run into them.  Great stop.

 

 

Okay, if you are reading this blog and don’t know what Oshkosh (KOSH) is, I have to ask why?  The way I ususally try to explain it is, what Sturgis is to bikers, Oshkosh is to pilots.  What Mecca is to muslims, Oshkosh is to pilots.  If it flies, you’ll see it at Oshkosh. I have made two trips to Oshkosh, once in 2003 and one in 2005.  On my first trip there in 2003 I camped under my wing and I have to say I enjoyed that more. Life on the field during that two weeks is just something you can’t describe.  On my second trip there in 2005 we got a bunch of guys together to rent a house.  That was really nice the first night when there were only 3 of us guys there.  Two of us sat out on the covered porch until about midnight and watched the thunderstorms blow by.  When the rest of the guys got there it got a little crowded and uncomfortable.  I probably won’t do that again.  The next trip will be camping again.  I’ll probably go again in 2007.

 

 

Rushford (55Y) was eaily my favorite stop on any trip to Oshkosh.  This is a small country airport hidden out in a cornfield.  There is an honor FBO and self-serve fuel.  The FBO consists of a mobile home with 2 bedrooms (which pilots are welcome to use) a fully stocked freezer with frozen dinners (leave a donation for the food) and sodas.  There are some nice easy chairs in the living room with a picture window which overlooks the runway.  When I had stopped to fuel up, the airport manager flew in from a nearby airport because he heard me on the radio.  He just wanted to say hello and thank me for stopping in.  This airport is my absolute favorite and I have never been able to visit there since that first trip.  I really do hope to return.  They have cheap fuel too.  Definitely try to stop in here if you’re in the area.