hilltop170 wrote:Dave-
I'm going to be flying out west the next couple of weeks on a no-planned-destination trip. I've never been to Payson before, is it worth breaking my rules and planning a stop there?
170'ers are always welcome in Tehachapi! (354.1 nm west of Payson ).
Richard,
I see in your profile that you're a retired Oil Engineer. There’s a fair amount of oil history here in Kern County. If you stop by, I’m sure we could find our way down to the Kern County Museum. http://www.kcmuseum.org/blackgold
I just might take you up on the offer. I'll keep in touch as I head that way. Do you have any time off during the week? PM me with the best way to contact you.
There are several favorite stops I have discovered along the way over the years, but not many of them in California. I have always wondered how to get into Edwards/Dryden and oilfield museums are always interesting.
Some of my favorites with good airport access;
Del Rio, TX, eat at Crosby's across the river in Acuña, shop at tourist traps
Lajitas, Texas, close to Big Bend Nat'l Park and Terlingua
Ruidoso, NM, skiing
Santa Fe, NM, too much to list
Carlsbad, NM, best caverns in the west
Grand Junction, CO, walk to hotel on the airport
Aspen, CO expensive but interesting town to wander around in
Durango, CO, Mesa Verde Nat'l Park, steam train, much more
Moab, UT, Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks
Monument Valley, UT, Unbelievable!
Lake Powell; Page, and Cal Black, rent a boat and explore, beautiful
Grand Canyon, AZ, obvious
Sedona, AZ, red rocks at their best
Bryce Canyon, UT, Nat'l Park
St.George, UT, Zion Nat'l Park
Jackpot, NV, taxi to Cactus Pete's Hotel/Casino, oasis in the mountains
Elko, NV, small town appeal
Las Vegas, for the glitter, especially flying in at night
Laughlin/BUllhead City, like Las Vegas 30 years ago, airport just across the Colorado River, Riverside Casino/Hotel will pick you up, reasonable
Not all of these are good destinations but they all have awesome flying and beautiful scenery in the area.
Hopefully I'll be able to add to the list after this trip.
I know you California folks have some secret spots.
How about the rest of ya'll, how about listing your favorites in the west in this thread and for the folks in other parts of the country, start a thread for your area.
Last edited by hilltop170 on Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
Although I haven't yet done so, I understand following old Route 66 can be fun. If ya got time stop at Mojave as we did during the convention. Never know what you might steal a look at with Burt and the boys at work.
Burt gave a very poignant talk at his Oshkosh forum last summer. He'd been looking at what it might take to develop orbital flight commercially, and had come to the conclusion that it simply could not be done with today's technology -- it's going to need a big breakthrough of some kind, he said. Don't expect it from NASA either, because they're now all about refining and building on the technology they already proved in the 60s and 70s.
He said all this while sitting on a chair on the stage. He went on to say he'd taken up a new interest, which is golf; because he's been having heart problems and can't fly his airplanes any more. Sounded as if he was personally hanging it up. But I'm sure Scaled Composites is still cranking away on Branson's spaceship and other things, so you might still see something interesting flying around Mohave.
Anybody else have an update on Burt?
John Renwick
Minneapolis, MN
Former owner, '55 C-170B, N4401B
'42 J-3 Cub, N62088
'50 Swift GC-1B, N2431B, Oshkosh 2009 Outstanding Swift Award, 2016 Best Continuously Maintained Swift
jrenwick wrote:
Anybody else have an update on Burt?
I had heard that Burt was having medical problems; however, Scaled Composites is alive and very well developing/building the spaceship for Branson. They've actually been hiring.
As you wander westward young man, point that 170B northwards (at some point in your journey) and fly up to Montana.
It is a spectacular place to fly, and frequently a good jumping off point for other wonderful destinations (southern and middle Idaho, for instance.)
If you aren't experienced with some of the local mountain flying techniques that sometimes come in handy, there are loads of aviators that are willing to share their experience and insights.
We fly out of 32S (Stevensville, MT), and have a large group of taildraggers that fly to a differnt $100 hamburger location the first Sunday of every month. If the weather is bad, we just drink coffee and eat donuts, and impress ourselves with stories and lies. Come on up and join the herd.
It will be a lifetime experience, and is certainly worth the time/gas to get here.
This is a pretty good list for CA.... http://www.fun-places-to-fly.com/list.asp?st=CA I really like Columbia. Nice turf runway (as well as a paved one). Great campground, or hotels in town. It's a short walk to town mostly along a nature trail. The town itself is a state park, a preserved gold mining town. No cars allowed, only horses.
John
N2865C
"The only stupid question is one that wasn't asked"
Great list John! One that I'm surprised isn't on the list is Chiriaco Summit along I-10 in the desert northeast of Palm Springs. If you're a fan of George Patton it's a must-stop with the Patton Museum adjacent to the field. No fuel (unless you're carrying a mogas can ) but fair pavement and a passable cafe.
MontanaBird-
I'm still stuck on the ground in the Texas hill country, we have had several days of IFR, thunderstorms, and just crummy weather. The storms are all gone, the plane is loaded and waiting, and as soon as these IFR low clouds burn off, I'm headed west. The weather has held me up for three days so don't know how far I'll be able to go but we'll see.
I won't be able to make it up to Montana this trip but I'll take a rain check on your invitation and take you up on it later. Thanks for the hospitality. I've flown thru Montana several times but have not stopped to explore. I would like to do that one day.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
At Columbia, you have the moaning cave that you can have a rock climbing experience . It was neat. My sister lives in Sonora.
John
John Hess
Past President 2018-2021 President 2016-2018, TIC170A Vice President 2014-2016, TIC170A Director 2005-2014, TIC170A N3833V Flying for Fun '67 XLH 900 Harley Sportster EAA Chapter 390 Pres since 2006 K3KNT
The weather finally broke this afternoon but too late to get a start. I'm still packed and ready. Will try again in the morning.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
As Miles put it, "all 170ers are always welcomed" at 8S4 also. If you get to NE Oregon and need a place to put your 170 up for a night, we have room in with 04D. Hope you get out tomorrow and you have a great trip....We had snow in the air most of the day today, but it's suppose to improve over the next few days....
Goulding Trading Post Strip at Monument Valley, Utah.
At 5,192 ft asl, I recommend that you depart with minimum fuel, saw off the handles of your tooth brushes, and fly in your underwear to keep weight to a minimum.
Wow, Pete! I'd sure like to see that in the calendar next year! Is the original high enough resolution for Doug to use?
John
John Renwick
Minneapolis, MN
Former owner, '55 C-170B, N4401B
'42 J-3 Cub, N62088
'50 Swift GC-1B, N2431B, Oshkosh 2009 Outstanding Swift Award, 2016 Best Continuously Maintained Swift
).
. It was neat. My sister lives in Sonora. 
