Photos for
Grassroots Adventure 2007
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More than just pretty pictures, we hope you will find them touching your heart as you view them as much as they touched our heart capturing them. These are but a few of the thousands of photos we saved from the adventure. Thanks for being a part of it.
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A giant backgammon board? Hey, the air is thin up here and a mind tends to become creative. The folks on the highway (at the top of the photo) have no idea what they are missing. (Day 1 - Arizona) _DSC0060
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Okay this looks like some sort of quarry, but why is it in a circle? Or maybe it's an early Indian Olympic swimming event arena. Yes, those are large buildings in the top center of the photo. (Day 1 - Arizona) _DSC0044
You can't see this from an SUV driving down Interstate 10. Flying 500 feet above the ground has its advantages. (Day 1 - Arizona) _DSC0037
Sunset on Day 1 and something tells me we may not fly on Day 2. (Day 1 - Arizona) _DSC0072
Once clear of a ridge, the scenery was very National Geographic in character. (Day 2 - southeastern Arizona) _DSC0138
Low enough to read the bill boards, high enough to enjoy the view. (Day 2 - southwestern New Mexico) _DSC0195
Dinner time on the ranch. Does this say Marlboro Country or what? (Day 2 - southwestern New Mexico) _DSC0212
Pleasing shapes and colors for over 4 hours of flight time. Vintage flying, low and slow, means time to enjoy our country. (Day 2 - southcentral New Mexico) _DSC0219
Using the terrain page, we work our way through canyons and valleys to avoid climbing over mountains as the direct routing would require (magenta line). (Day 3 - central New Mexico)_DSC0120
Off our right shoulder, the morning sun brings us a breath-taking view of the mountains to the east. (Day 3 - central New Mexico ) _DSC0236
Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport. Does this give a pilot choices for landing or what? (Day 3 - central New Mexico) _DSC0268
The Rio Grande River still carves this valley. (Day 3 - central New Mexico) _DSC0290
One never knows what will pass below a slow flying airplane. But it's important to have your camera ready all the time. (Day 3 - central New Mexico) _DSC0300
Arizona?..Nope!, Utah?...Nope, Northwest Texas? Yep! (Day 4 - Texas) _DSC0319
A small rural town in the Panhandle of Oklahoma awakens on a warm August morning. (Day 4 - Oklahoma) _DSC0327
Just try to convince us that this farmer didn't have a flair for the arts. (Day 5 - Kansas) _DSC0376
Those bails of hay are much larger than we thought they were. Us city boys don't get out much. (Day 5 - Kansas) _DSC0384
This is one fine barn. Unfortunately, we are only posting one or two of the one's we shot. (Day 5 - Kansas) _DSC0395
Best seat in the house. The wide angle lens makes us look much higher up that we were. (Day 5 - Nebraska) DSC0415
Keeping vintage flying alive means pay respect to those who left us this great lineage. (Day 6 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC0531
A few brave pilots made it in today under overcast skies. (Day 6 - Blakesburg, IA)_DSC0630
This gentleman was hosting his own 'First Annual Estate Sale." You made need to thing about that for a moment to get it. (Day 7 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC0695
Judging landings is the responsibility of the "Lawn Chair" judges. Notice that I took this image from quite a distance. Getting too close may render the pedestrian subject to being judged as well. Show them respect and you may pass without a comment. (Day 7 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC0698
Hour after hour, dozens of vintage airplanes arrived. Each returning to their family reunion. (Day 7 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC0819
Each of these colorful airplanes was restored by a skilled craftsman who spent many hours of dedicated attention to detail in a cold, drafty hangar. Is is a labor of love, or commentary on passion? (Day 7 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1319
He calls himself the "Propeller Whisperer." He whispers to the propeller before flipping it to make a cranky old engine start. Unfortunately I cannot print what he says to the propeller because children may be reading this web page. However, I can share that his words reflect the lineage of the propeller's mother. (Day 8 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1375
This aircraft took 17 years to restore. It's one of only 11 still flying in the United States. Yes, the interior is perfect also. (Day 8 - Blakesburg, IA)_DSC1361
Gary (on the left) talks to a fellow retired airline pilot who restored this airplane. Father and son (in the yellow shirt) enjoy the shade of their vintage aircraft on a warm August morning. (Day 8 - Blakesburg, IA)_DSC1365
Okay, Okay, we waited a full week to post our first vanity shot of us. I promise no more vanity shots....well maybe a few more. (Day 8 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1357
Parking shuttle, Iowa style. It sure saved some tired legs from giving up. (Day 9 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1447
This 5 1/2 year old was a natural child model. Check out the smile. (Day 9 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1408
The busiest place on the airfield after sunset. (Day 9 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1516
Leaving Blakesburg on a beautiful Sunday morning helped minimize the sadness of leaving all the great vintage airplanes and new friends. (Day 10 - Blakesburg, IA)_DSC1558
Flying into the sun we noticed the last of the morning ground fog. (Day 10 - Blakesburg, IA) _DSC1652
A peaceful cemetery carries a reminder of lives lived in a rural community. Not a bad way to be remembered. (Day 11 - Galesburg, IL area) _DSC1701
The view from our seat in the Cub at 500 feet brings endless entertainment and a view never to be forgotten. (Day 11 - Galesburg, IL area)_DSC1733
We didn't go unnoticed as we cruised by this gentleman and his horse out for a morning walk. If I were't so busy taking photos I would have rocked my wings to say good morning. (Day 11 - Galesburg, IL area) _DSC1754
The first words that came to my mind were, Pride of Ownership. (Day 12 - Galesburg, IL area) _DSC1773
The scenery changes minute by minute. Out the left side of the Cub, this low pasture land yields brightly colored patterns, but only to those visiting with a view from above. (Day 12 - Galesburg, IL area) _DSC1792
Some barns that worry about being torn down prefer to hide in a corn field. It seemed to work for this one so far. (Day 13 - Galesburg, IL area) _DSC1851
There were over 115 Stearmans when we departed this morning. We enjoyed sharing their event with them, but looked forward to the Brodhead, Grass Roots Fly-In. (Day 14 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC2515
This oval barn got our attention. Imagine the time and effort to construct such a building. Wisconsin farms are some of the most beautiful in our country. (Day 14 – Brodhead, WI)_DSC2732
The courthouse in Monroe, Wisconsin begged to have its photo taken just after sunset. (Day 14 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC2767
The business office on the Tiger Moth betrays its age with compass only very early aviators could appreciate. (Day 15 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC2784
This 1940 Tiger Moth lives in Guelph, Canada and is owned by the Tiger Boys. (Day 15 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC2782
With three grass landing strips and quiet rows of hangars, Brodhead Airport has a rich history in early aviation endeavors. (Day 15 – Brodhead, WI)_DSC2757
Yes this hangar is indeed carpeted! Extreme, you might say. Nope it's every vintage pilots dream. (Day 16 – Brodhead, WI)_DSC2874
Gary gives the old radial engine a 'prop.' The pilot anxiously awaits the sound of his aircraft engines deep throaty pulses. The owner waits anxiously as well. (Day 16 – Brodhead, WI)_DSC2862
Saturday morning over Brodhead before most of the aircraft arrived. (Day 16 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC2814
Flying in loose formation with Frank as we traversed the countryside on our way to enjoy the bluffs it occurred to us that this flight would never be forgotten. (Day 17 – west of Madison, WI)_DSC3561a
Stopping at small private grass strips with Frank Baker was the perfect conclusion to the Brodhead Grassroots Fly-In experience. (Day 17 – west of Madison, WI) _DSC3462
A Sunday morning in Brodhead, WI. The skies will be less busy after all of the airplanes leave today. (Day 17 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC2833
Once aloft, these magnificent man-made flying machines disappeared over the horizon. (Day 18 – Brodhead, WI) ___DSC3248
This brilliant airplane taxied proudly as it lined up behind other vintage airplanes awaiting departure (Day 18 – Brodhead, WI) _DSC3363
Frank gives me a class on his flight planning navigational techniques. A class worth taking on a rainy day. (Day 18 – Madison, WI) _DSC3580
Golden harvest colors gave this crop pattern the first hint of fall making its appearance. (Day 19 – Madison, WI to Dyersville, IA) _DSC3682
The unmistakable contour crop patterns so exquisitely carved into the hills of Iowa appeared after crossing the Mississippi River. By now you are getting the idea of why flying a vintage airplane low and slow over this country brings immense pleasure. (Day 19 – Madison, WI to Dyersville, IA) _DSC3618
Cold gusty headwinds didn't diminish the grandeur of Iowa coming into view. Photo 3561 (Day 19 – Madison, WI to Dyersville, IA) _DSC3651
Dyersville International Airport sports a spacious terminal building with porta-potty and tie-downs for visiting pilots. (Day 20 – Dyersville, IA) _DSC3783
Quaint summer homes lined the shore of this peninsula, each with a boat dock in front yard and the grass landing strip for a back yard. (Day 20 – Dyersville, IA) _DSC 3945
Dave had to throttle back considerably to keep from losing the Cub as we cruised along following the hills and forests. (Day 20 – Dyersville, IA) _DSC 3846
Long morning shadows that stretched from the base of the trees and houses accented the golden fields of ripened corn. (Day 21 – Central Iowa) _DSC 4142
Okay, check out the front of the barn. Does it or does it not look like the window and door placement was done to create a face? Perhaps the altitude is affecting my judgment… that would be a first. Yeah, Right! (Day 21 – Central Iowa) _DSC 4145
Now here's a really red barn! It took three passed to get this shot, but it was worth it. (Day 21 – Central Iowa) _DSC 4166
What appears to be terrace-like farming gave structure to the different elevations. (Day 22 – Western Iowa)_DSC 4312
Glassy smooth rivers and golden tassels of corn made the cold morning air biting at our fingers very acceptable. (Day 22 – Eastern Nebraska) _DSC4348
Did this farmer realize how beautiful his crops would look when he planted them? We would love to send him a photo of his work. That would be a nice way to thank him for the experience of almost falling out of the Cub to take this photo. (Day 22 – Nebraska) _DSC 4381
An erasable marker makes keeping important airport information easy to see at a glance. The next airport's elevation is 2,780 feet, the automated weather broadcast for that airport can be heard on 118.42, the radio communication frequency is 123.0 and there are two runways, 12/30 and 17/35 both of them use left-hand traffic patterns. (Day 23 – Nebraska) _DSC 4603
Being efficient is the only practical way to experience an adventure like this in a small vintage airplane. Behind (not in view) is a small duffle bag with clothing. Being able to view equally well from both side of the Cub is very spoiling. (Day 23 – Nebraska) _DSC 4542
Passing this church reminded us that we needed to thank Him for all we've seen on this adventure. (Day 23 – Nebraska) _DSC 4482
John helped us circumnavigate the complicated Denver airspace. Besides, he's one heck of a pilot. (Day 24 – Denver, CO) _DSC 4687
Downtown Denver was in for some early morning rain. The air quality would certainly benefit from it. (Day 24 – Denver, CO) _DSC 4738
Keith runs the FBO at Raton, NM Airport. You haven't lived until you've tasted his homemade chocolate chip cookies after landing at an airport with an elevation of over 6,350 feet above sea level. (Day 24 – Raton, NM) _DSC 4759
The high plains are carved by fast moving rivers. We had an urge to 'fly the canyon' but changed our minds (I know… BOCK, BOCK!). (Day 24 – south of Raton, NM) _DSC 4769
We understand that this is Fort Morgan which is located on the original Sante Fe Trail. This site is about 25 miles north of Las Vegas, NM. (Day 24 – north of Las Vegas, NM) _DSC 4825
Las Vegas, NM airport on a warm fall day. Yes they had better facilities, but these were far more photogenic. (Day 24 – Las Vegas, NM)_DSC 4838
Mother Nature tried to warn us. “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.” Yeah, well it applies to pilots too. (Day 25 – Las Vegas, NM) _DSC 4841
Quite a contrast to the contoured crop photos a few days ago. Don't you think? (Day 25 – south of Albuquerque, NM) _DSC 4851
The Petrified Forest in the early morning used its shadows to give dimension to its grandeur. (Day 26 – western New Mexico) _DSC 4997
So why do you think those sharp peaks survived erosion when all the other ground around them is smooth and rounded? (Day 26 – western New Mexico)_ DSC 5022
Yellow ground cover gave definition to the greens of high altitude brush. (Day 26 – east of Sedona, AZ) _DSC 5097
Main house, guest house, out house. (Day 26 - Mormon Lake, AZ) _DSC 5152
The bottom of the Cub's wing turned red from the reflection of the crimson rocks in the Sedona landscape. Is this a great country to live in or what? (Day 26 - Sedona, AZ)_ DSC 5235
Bob waves good bye after escorting us down the Colorado River and narrating the unique features of the shoreline. (Day 27 - Lake Havasu, AZ) -DSC 5335
Turquoise water contrasts red shorelines that kept us amused as we followed the river. (Day 27 - Lake Havasu, AZ) _DSC 5431
Following the river south meant California on our right and Arizona on our left. (Day 27 - Parker, AZ) _DSC 5450
Trip Statistics for Grassroots Adventure 2007
Number of days on the adventure: 27 days
Number of statute miles flown: 4,544.5miles
Number of legs: 55 legs
Longest leg: 2 hours, 0 minutes
Shortest leg: I'm pretty sure it's my left leg.
Total Flight time: 73 hours, 18 minutes
Gallons of Fuel: 297.6 gallons
Estimated gallons per hour: 4.1 Gallons Per Hour
Total number of photos taken: 5,455 photos
