The little Rotax 912 was singing its song at 5,000 rpm. The Warp Drive carbon fiber, tapered 3-blade prop was doing its job pushing me, Miss P'fer, and our cargo (everything we needed to survive from the Tropics to the Arctic) along at 80 mph. It wasn't easy packing wool boot socks, Thermax turtleneck shirts, Gore-Tex gloves, down filled vest, polypropylene thermal underwear and warm-up suits when it was 100 degrees outside. But later into my flight I was glad I did.

I didn't think I would ever wear my leather flight jacket, until I found out it gets pretty cold in Northern California. I had 4 pairs of blue jeans, 7 t-shirts, underwear, and socks, two towels for me and two for Miss P'fer. One pair of hiking boots, deck shoes, running shoes and shower shoes. I had a 3-man tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow, two survival blankets (one to use as a ground cloth, the other to cover the seats when the aircraft was tied down to keep the seats dry). Miss P'fer's door hinge line leaks into both seats. I had freeze dried rations, trail mix, mixed nuts, "Power Bars," granola bars, coffee, dehydrated soup, 3 quarts of water, 3 quarts of Coleman fuel for the pack stove, pots and pans, shaving kit, medicine, star-light mints (helped keep me awake; also used as rewards as I flew off the hours), long and short sets of tie down stakes, survival rifle and ammo, 35 US and Canadian sectionals, one Alaska and one Canada Flight Supplement, one quart of peanut butter, knives, two cameras, 30 rolls of 35 mm film, poncho, tool kit, 8 spare spark plugs, wax and rags (primarily for windshield and door maintenance), small spare parts, insect repellent and net, first aid kit, one quart engine oil (which I never needed to add between oil changes), Rand-McNally Road Atlas, pilot and aircraft log books, and a large package of documents to get me and Miss P'fer through Canada, and more small items of survival gear.

Before you know it, we're setting up to land at Ronnie Smith's long grass strip. Prelanding check complete, chop the throttle and pull in two notches of flaps, and we're on the ground and shutting down in front of Ronnie's hangar. He tops Miss P'fer off with 12 gallons of 92 octane mo-gas. We chat a minute. He won't accept any payment for the fuel. I don't argue, climb back in Miss P'fer, and fly west.

When I land at Picayune Airport for lunch, the "airport bums" sitting in the shade of the front porch of the FBO all want to know what I'm flying, where I'm from and where I'm going. They're amazed that I've flown the little aircraft this far and are astounded that I'm flying around the border of the US with a dog-leg to Dead Horse, Alaska on the Arctic Ocean. I'm amazed and astounded also. This is 7 June 1994, the first half-day into a 41-day solo flight that will cover 17,400 statue miles in 231.2 flight hours. Yep, I'm also having a hard time comprehending this trip.

Eight hours after I left home, I was tying Miss P'fer down at the Beaumont, Texas Airport. My first day had been good. I flew 529 miles and had no problems. The FBO was a Vietnam vet, Army Helicopter pilot, just like me. He let me sleep on the couch in the pilot's lounge. There was a shower with lots of hot water. I ate trail mix and mixed nuts for supper, washed down with a diet Pepsi. I hoped this day would be a trend for the rest of my trip.

 

DAY 2

I was up and flying before anyone arrived at the airport. I flew southwest over oil wells, drilling rigs, and salt marshes until I hit the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. I low-leveled just off the beach, popped up to about 1,500 feet to cross Galveston Pass, then back down again along the beach to Galveston Airport. I tied down next to Base Ops for Petroleum Helicopters. Val Martinez, retired Army helicopter pilot/VN vet, came out to the plane and helped me move it so I wouldn't get blown away by the rotary wing traffic. He helped me tie Miss P'fer down, gave me instructions to a nice restaurant and loaned me his car.

After leaving Galveston, I saw my first DEA (Drug Enforcement Authority) Aerostat tethered at 7,500 near Matagorda, Texas. From that altitude it was a long descent to Port Lavaca and Calhoun County Airport for fuel. I took on 20 gallons and continued down the East Texas coast. From Corpus Christi to Brownsville was 120 miles of sand dunes and salt water. I stayed high, 8,500 feet, to benefit from the smooth, cool air. I was tired and hungry. I refueled Miss P'fer first, then got a car and a good supper in Brownsville. Two hours out of Brownsville it was getting dark, I was tired and Zapata County Airport beacon was on the horizon.

There's not much population in Southwest Texas, but there is a lot of mesquite, sand and cactus. When I transmitted my intentions to land, I didn't expect to get a traffic advisory from the Zapata FBO, but I did. Mike, the FBO's assistant, helped tie the airplane down, shared his fresh fried fish supper and let me sleep on the floor of the FBO next to the air conditioner.  Really hospitable people.

 

DAY 3

It's 0800 hours and I'm on my way. Over Laredo and on to Eagle Pass. I'm in luck; the airport is right down town. I love it. I can see Burger King's sign from where I park my plane. I use the bathroom at the FBO. No one speaks. I walk to Burger King for lunch, return to my plane and no one says a word. I fill up my water bottle in the bathroom, go back to my plane and fly out of Eagle Pass. Those folks just weren't interested  in me or my strange red and yellow ultralight from Alabama.

I flew the rest of the afternoon, got knocked around in the hot desert thermals, flying 8,500 MSL over terrain about 4,000 MSL. I landed well before dark at Fabens, Texas and spent the night on the warm tarmac under Miss P'fer's wing.

​

DAY 4

I turned the corner at El Paso and was in New Mexico -- my first visit. By the time I landed at Deming, New Mexico, the big 800x6 mains were white half way up their side walls. You see, I was fascinated with the desert, a place I had never been. I had an irresistible urge to touch it. I found a very small dry lake, we'd call it a pond in Alabama, drug it and landed. I was afraid to shut the engine down in this desolate spot. But to really feel the desert, I had to turn it off. I did. It was awfully quiet. I got out, took some pictures, looked around, got back in, crossed my fingers and hit the starter. The 912 came to life immediately and I took off for Deming, where I had my first coffee of the day. The Deming FBO is number one!

​

From Deming, I pushed on to Tucson, landing at Avra Valley Airport. Right next to the FBO is a restaurant. I used the bathroom in the FBO and discovered a shower. I asked the young lady at the desk if I could take a shower and she said, "sure." First bath since Beaumont, Texas, day one.

It was hot in Tucson, over 100, but an hour and a half later on the ground at Gila Bend, Arizona, it was hotter, 112 degrees. Even the natives were complaining. The high elevation and temperature took its toll on aircraft performance, too. I had to carry another 10 mph on landing.

My next leg was 170 miles, nonstop to El Centro, California, 56 feet below sea level. I had a good supper, slept under the stars on a little patch of grass next to the terminal.

​

DAY 5

 

Up at daylight, free coffee and doughnuts at the motel next door, and we're on our way to San Diego. Boy was I excited! I had flown my little ultralight-type aircraft to California the long way. In about an hour, I would be seeing the Pacific Ocean, or so I thought.

​

​

Out of El Centro, over NAF El Centro, and back over the desert and mountains along the Mexican border. Flying over NAF El Centro was significant to me. In 1963, my brother Jim Hauck was a member of a US Army Special Forces HALO (High Altitude/Low Opening) Team that broke the World Team Altitude record held by the USSR. The record jump from 43,500 feet stands today, to the best of my knowledge.

Less than 15 miles from Brown Airport, San Diego, I encountered Pacific marine coastal fog. The Pacific coast was socked in. I was disappointed. I did a quick map reckon, radioed Flight Service and found the nearest VFR airport with fuel was Borrego Springs. The beautiful flight to Borrego Springs helped soothe the disappointment of not seeing the Pacific. Besides, I got to see a road runner eat hamburger balls on the FBO's desk in Borrego.

I wanted to visit my niece in Los Angeles. Perris Valley Airport looked like a good place from which to call her. Besides, there was an ultralight symbol next to it on the LA sectional. At 6,500 feet, I was looking at what I thought was solid overcast. On top I could see the ground. Horizontal visibility was zero. Vertical was marginal. I called Perris Valley Unicom to check the weather. No sweat, they were dropping jumpers. Once below the LA smog layer, I still had to contend with the ground fog. With patience I was able to find my way through it, made my radio call to Perris Valley traffic and landed on the paved strip. At the other end of the field was the ultralight area. A big California dude in a 4x4 motioned for me to follow him. I was impressed at this operation. They were escorting me to my parking ramp! As soon as I shut down, the big California dude promptly informed me ultralights weren't allowed on the real airplane runway. I tried to explain that I was a new guy from Alabama, this was an experimental registered light plane, and I had called my intentions to Unicom before I landed. That didn't matter. I looked like an ultralight. I had to use the UL strip. I didn't argue. I found a telephone, my niece wasn't home. I drank a Coke, said hello to a few people, got back in my plane and headed north.

Now, all I had to do was get out of the LA basin without getting run over by a DC-10 or fly into a mountain. I low leveled east around March AFB, climbed out over San Bernardino and over the mountains at 8,500 feet. I needed a pit stop. The sectional showed Hesperia on the north side of the mountain. The wind was picking up. I had my hands full making a cross wind landing at 3,390 feet on hot asphalt with low pressure 800x6 tires.

The FBO was closed for lunch. In my search for a bathroom I found a restaurant. I hadn't had a bite to eat since that doughnut at El Centro. What a find! I had a New York strip steak and a lot of iced tea. The waitress let me have a double table to spread my sectionals and do flight planning to Arlington, Washington. I had gotten ahead of myself when I left El Centro. I took several hours in the air conditioning to prepare myself for the afternoon's flight in the desert.

Off from Hesperia and northwest over El Mirage Dry Lake, cut the corner of Edwards AFB, across the mountains and over Bakersfield. Just before dark, I made it into Corcoran. This is farm country and the airport was an ag strip. I slept under the wing on the concrete ramp. There was no place to eat so I had trail mix, mixed nuts and washed it down with water. Several times during the night I was awakened by the beautiful sound of big round engines on Ag Cats as they shuttled in and out during the night to spray crops.

​

DAY 6

Up early and out of Corcoran. A beautiful flying morning. I landed at Fresno for breakfast, but there was none. I had to fly 125 miles to find coffee at Turlock Airport. John Fletcher made me feel right at home. I picked up 10 gallons of mo-gas on the return from the restaurant. I didn't have a chance to burn mo-gas very often, but when I could, I did. It saved 75 cents to a dollar a gallon over LL. Before I left Turlock, John presented me with an automatic siphon hose (an Alabama credit card). I carried it with me for the rest of the trip.

My next stop was Sonoma Sky Park north of San Francisco. Again I was disappointed. I could see the tops of the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge above the fog, but no Pacific Ocean. I visited for a while at Liberty Field and headed for Ukiah to refuel, but couldn't land because of an airshow. I had to fly to Willets, 25 miles north.

Willets Airport is situated on the side of a mountain. There is a wind sock at the north end and one at the south end of the field. I had to flip a coin to see which way I should land since one sock pointed north and the other south. I chose to land to the south. Later I learned one always lands to the north when the socks are opposite.

The FBO was closed. Everyone had gone to the airshow at Ukiah. It was still early enough to fly several more hours, but I didn't have enough fuel to make it to Eureka. I had to either backtrack to Ukiah or wait until someone opened up the FBO. I didn't want to backtrack, so I decided to stay.

I found out quickly that it is much cooler in northern California than it is in southern California. I figured it would be a good time to put up my tent and cook some freeze dried rations since I had plenty of time on my hands. I was in an isolated place in the mountains, but there were a lot of homes up here. I had many visitors that evening. One gentleman brought me a homemade burger and a Pepsi. Another offered me a shower in his home. They were all very nice. I got a good night's sleep, got up early, packed my gear, refueled Miss P'fer and just barely beat the marine fog that was coming over the mountain.

 

DAY 7

I flew north up Highway 101. I wanted to fly up the coast, but Eureka was socked in. South of Barberville, I ran into weather. I turned northeast over tall trees on high mountains. Shortly I had to find a restroom, and the cold mountain air was not helping. I saw Hay Fork on the sectional and headed for it. We literally dropped into Hay Fork. The town was within walking distance, so I set off walking down the road, over the river on a pedestrian suspension bridge and up the hill to Irene's Cafe. As I was walking along in the northern California mountians, it was hard to believe that I had gotten here in that little plane. It was exciting.

Out of Hay Fork, I could see Mount Shasta, 14,162 feet, 60 miles to the northeast. The wind was really ripping, 25 to 30 mph. I passed up Weed Airport as there was no crosswind strip and the wind was overpowering my rudder. I made it into Montague, refueled, had coffee, made phone calls, then headed north.

I didn't fly far -- 33 miles. The wind was beating me up pretty badly and the forecast was for more of the same. I didn't fly across the Oregon border, I was blown across it. I talked to Ashland, Oregon Unicom. They had wind 25 gusting to 35, but it was blowing straight down the runway. I hovered to a landing. I only flew 4.2 hours. It was windy, cold and spitting rain. I opted for a motel, a hot shower and a hot meal.

 

DAY 8

After the beating and short flying day yesterday, I was determined to get an early start. At daylight I stuck my head out the door, not a leaf stirring. But it was cold, 38 degrees.  I hadn't asked for an early ride the night before, so I decided to walk to the airport with my three bags rather than lose the early air time. With the aircraft loaded, I hit the starter but the battery was too weak to turn the 912 at 200 rpm required to fire the plugs. It was 0600; there wasn't anyone else at the airport. I was thoroughly disgusted with myself for not buying a new battery for my trip. A car came in the airport and straight for me. A man got out to take a look at Miss P'fer. He had a pair of jumper cables and I had an engine start. I took his picture standing next to my plane and thanked him.

The ceiling was not as high as I would have liked it, so I generally followed I-5 and took a coffee break at Grant's Pass. The weather wasn't getting any better, but it was still flyable. Fifty miles north was Roseburg. The sectional showed the airport symbol overlapping the town, a good indication I would find a place to eat within walking distance of the airport. I was ready for a northwoods breakfast. I landed there, got a ride into town, had breakfast and had to walk a good deal out of my way to get back to the airport because of road construction, but I needed the exercise anyhow.

I could forget about flying the Pacific coast. The weather was lousy. I continued north, hoping to make Arlington, Washington before dark.

The folks at Arlington took good care of me. I stayed three days, which gave me a chance to rest up and prepare for my next big step, going into Canada, and visit with one of my Special Forces Army buddies and his family. Jim and Betty Scott graciously came to my rescue, realizing my situation and offering me Betty's personal car for the two days I spent in the Seattle area.

 

DAY 11

I spent most of the day preparing for Canada and Alaska. By late afternoon I was ready. I filed for Abbotsford British Columbia and was in the air at 1700. An hour later, I was on the ground waiting to go through Customs.

The female customs inspector looked at everything I owned. Flight Service thought I had plenty of time to make it to 100 Mile House before dark. That's where I filed. Night VFR is not authorized in Canada.

​

Off Abbotsford, up the Fraser River past Chilliwack to Hope. Hope is the beginning of the Fraser River Canyon bordered by 6,000 to 9,000 foot mountains. The mountains form a "V" right down to the river. The highway and railroad clings to the near vertical sides of the mountains right over the river, then disappear into the numerous tunnels. The Fraser River Canyon is noted for its extremely turbulent, unpredictable winds and weather. I lucked out. I had "field grade" weather right up the canyon.

​

Entering the canyon is not only beautiful, but awesome. There's snow on the mountains in June. There's no place to land if you loose an engine. It made me and my airplane feel extraordinarily small and expendable. As I got further into this leg, I realized I was going to have a problem. It didn't look like I was going to make it to 100 Mile House before dark. The airport was not lighted and the runway terminated downtown. Clinton, 35 miles south of 100 Mile House has a gravel, unlighted strip. I shot an approach into Clinton to see if it was feasible to return and land after dark. The strip is on a low mountaintop and would be easy to find in the dark. There was still a chance to make 100 Mile House.

Fifteen miles further it got dark. (I think it gets dark quicker in British Columbia.) On top of darkness (my airplane is licensed for night flight in the U.S.) I had to close my flight plan or the Royal Mounties would come looking for me. I couldn't raise Flight Service on the radio and there were absolutely no facilities of any kind at Clinton. I kept trying on my return and finally got an answer and closed it. I made a good night landing into Clinton between bushes and taxied around until I found a good place to put up my tent. I got out of the plane and was overcome by my first taste of northwoods mosquitoes. They were so bad I forgot how cold and hungry I was. Through it all, I got the tent up and my gear inside. Once inside with the little candle lantern burning, air mattress and sleeping bag rolled out, I was feeling much better. I ate nuts and trail mix, filled out my log books and got a good night's sleep.

​

DAY 12

I'm up at daylight, rolled and loaded my gear, and took off for 100 Mile House under a low ceiling. Halfway to my destination, the ceiling went right down to the deck. I was getting low on fuel so I couldn't play games with the weather. I landed at Green Lake, a private strip just east of my location. On the ground I stayed in the plane to keep warm and occupied myself looking at charts and watching the community of prairie dogs watching me. I was thinking more and more of hot coffee and breakfast. I decided to give it a try. I firewalled the throttle and started my ground roll.

The engine missed and didn't come up to full power. I got the wheels off the ground hoping it would clear out, but it didn't. Chopped the throttle and aborted the take off. The airstrip was uphill with tall trees at the departure end. Back on the ground, I ran the engine as hard as the brakes would hold it, and it seemed to clear some.

Mag check was okay, so I taxied to the opposite end of the strip to make a downhill departure with no trees at the end. It missed a little and was low on normal takeoff power, but I had an option if it quit this time. A minute or two into the flight, and it cleared up. I got over the hill and into a river valley that would get me under the weather and into 100 Mile House.

There was no one at the airport. The gas pump was locked. This didn't look like it was going to be a good day!

About this time I was feeling sorry for myself, wondering what I was doing way up here in this little airplane when up drives my savior, Robert G. Franklin. Robert asks if he can help me. Wow! Yes, I need fuel. He recommended we go to the service station for mo-gas because the airport fuel was old and full of water. He uses mo-gas in his Piper. He took me for gas, bought my breakfast, and let me use his telephone. By this time the weather had lifted a little and I was on my way. Today is going to be a good day after all!

Fifty miles north of 100 Mile House and we're over Williams Lake. Navigation became very simple after I departed Abbotsford -- just follow the rivers and highways marked on the Canadian Sectional with closely spaced small blue diamonds, the recommended VFR route. I like following the river and in no time I'm ready for a quick stop at Quesnel. I taxi up to the terminal and am informed by the gentleman in Flight Service that ultralights are not allowed to land at this uncontrolled airport. I told him I was a US registered Experimental and could I please use his restroom since I was already here on the ground.

Sixty miles north, I wasn't ready to land, but Prince George was the last available fuel until Dawson Creek, 250 miles north. Prince George is a large controlled airport with not only fuel, but food. I took advantage of both. The tower operator informed me ultralights weren't allowed. Same old story as Quesnel. Strange? He's the guy that cleared me to land.

I flew along beautiful lakes and rivers for 95 miles north. I saw my first bald eagle soaring over a lake and took some time to fly with him. He was magnificent, a much better aviator than I.  I took his picture, but missed him -- you see, he was making these real tight turns and . . .

​

I turned east into the mountains and followed the trench 93 miles to Chetwynd. I didn't want to stop, but Mother Nature insisted. I met the weather station operator who was also the mayor. She asked me to stay, but I was anxious to make Dawson Creek before dark. I found out that it wouldn't get dark at Dawson Creek that night; in fact, I wouldn't see darkness again until I was on my return leg south.

I cleared the mountains east of Chetwynd and flew direct to Dawson Creek. There was no ride to town for supper. I refueled Miss P'fer, taxied to the campground, pitched my tent, boiled some water for a freeze dried meal, relaxed and planned for my flight up the Alaskan Highway. I had no problem going to sleep with the sun shining on my tent. I was tired.

​

Day 13

I didn't take time to make coffee, just packed up and headed north. I planned to stop

at Fort St. John, 40 miles north, for breakfast and coffee, but St. John didn't have

breakfast, just a coffee pot in the FBO. That was enough to keep me going another

100 miles to Mae's Kitchen. Mae's is within walking distance from the Sikanni Chief

emergency airstrip, one of several World War II gravel strips near the Highway.

​

​

​Just out of Fort Nelson, I was heavy into beautiful mountains. As I was flying low over an old section of highway, I flew right over a black bear on the shoulder of the road. I circled back and captured him on film. Didn't bother him a bit; this was his road and he kept on walking just like he owned it.

As I flew over Summit Lake, east of Toad River, the afternoon winds were hitting me from three directions at once, and I was facing a terrific headwind. As we flew around the corner of a mountain, there was the Toad River airstrip! I was glad to get Miss P'fer on the ground; we'd made just over 400 miles so far today. After a bite to eat, we're ready for another 400.

As the afternoon progressed, so did the wind. We were flying in a trench all the time. The turbulence was really bad. The wind was really starting to beat me up. I had flown 500 miles today and really wanted to get to Watson Lake, but the Liard River emergency airstrip was just north of my location and looked like a good choice. I called Flight Service to cancel my flight plan, but I couldn't raise them. I had no choice but to make radio contact. There are no facilities at Liard River emergency strip, and I'm too tired to fly another 150 miles in this rough air. I keep trying to make contact. Then, Bonanza 89G asked if he could relay a message for me. He is somewhere over my position. I asked him to close my flight plan. He did so. I thanked him, drug the Liard River airstrip and set up for my landing. It's right on the banks of the Liard River, 34 miles south of the Yukon Territory border. There was no one there but me, Miss P'fer, a large windsock and some large moose hoof prints. I was beginning to realize the meaning of desolation as I set up my tent and got ready to go to bed.

I heard a car coming as I entered my tent, and that startled me a little. I thought I was way out here all by myself. The car drove up the hill off the airstrip and in the bushes where I had Miss P'fer parked and my camp set up. An Indian and his wife and young daughter got out. We visited and they invited me to stop on my way back, saying there'd be 300 campers there for a Tribal Council meeting. They asked me about my trip and invited me to stop by their home in Lower Post, south of Watson Lake.

​

Day 14

On my way out of Liard River, I flew around the little village of Lower Post, but couldn't find my Indian friend's car or house. On to Watson Lake, for an early breakfast... and coffee, except there's no coffee or hot breakfast. After a call downtown to the fuel man, I'm refueled and told that Rancheria, 85 miles to the north, has a cafe, fuel, motel and campground... and it's okay to land on the highway. An hour later, I'm taxiing up to the cafe at Rancheria. After breakfast and some pictures of me and my airplane on the highway for some fellow travelers, we're headed up the highway to Whitehorse, 200 miles north.

It's cold, windy and damp in the Yukon Territory. Temperatures are averaging 40-50 degrees, which is unreal to an Alabama boy in June! OATs this low causes my engine oil temperature to run below 180 degrees.

It should maintain 190 to 235 degrees to be in the green and do its job of cooking off condensation and contaminants from the remote oil tank. I took time to bypass the cooler. I changed two oil lines, the cooler is bypassed, the inlet and outlet of the cooler closed. The bypass worked. Oil temp was running 210 degrees, middle of the green.

Another 120 miles, Whitehorse Tower is clearing me to land. I touch down on a wet concrete runway. It's drizzling and cold. After taking care of Miss P'fer, a good meal and a picture of the world's largest wind tee -- a Douglas DC-3, I file my flight plan to Haines Junction, 100 miles north. Halfway there I hit an updraft and an immediate downdraft so violent, it shut the engine down momentarily. Probably caused by carburetor floats shutting off the fuel. The engine caught right back up as soon as we got positive, but everything that was loose in the cockpit bounced off the top. I wanted to find out what the winds were at Haines Junction, but Unicom didn't answer. It really didn't matter, though; I had to land. I didn't want to fly any more in this wind.

The landing itself was exciting. The threshold was on a high bank over the river. A local bush pilot helped me tie down, amazed that I was out flying. He didn't recommend continuing up through the Pass tonight, so I made myself at home in the foyer of the terminal. It was warm and dry, and there was a telephone to call home.

​

Day 15

I filed for Beaver Creek, Yukon Territory, 180 miles north, the last airfield before

the Alaskan border. It's 280 miles to Northway, Alaska. Flight Service says there's

fuel and food at Mile 1118 -- a service station on one side and a cafe on the other.

Thirty minutes out of Haines Junction, I was snuggled up to a 7,850 foot mountain

that rose 5,000 feet in two miles. I had been told by the bush pilot the day before

to look for Dall sheep in this area, and it didn't take long to find them. They stick

to the sides of what seem like cliffs. This was my first sighting of Dall sheep.

Big, white, beautiful creatures in a world all their own.

I climbed over the first ridge at 8,600 feet, to see my first glacier. Down below was the beautiful turquoise water of Kluane Lake. To the south was gray rock, ice and snow. What a contrast! I turned back up the highway looking for Mile 1118, and checked it out for a highway landing. My checklist for highway landings was as follows: 1) Be able to see both ways far enough to stay clear of 18-wheelers and big RVs; 2) Check for power lines; 3) Check for highway signs and markers; and 4) Check trees and tree limbs near the highway.

​

By the time I got Miss P'fer refueled on one side of the highway, a bus load of tourists had invaded the cafe on the other. Forget coffee and breakfast. I bummed a cup of coffee from the service station, answered questions and was off for Beaver Creek, my last stop before Alaska.

I filed my next flight plan by telephone from Beaver Creek to Northway, 64 miles. Flying low level up the highway, I was part of the wagon train of 18-wheelers, travel trailers and motor homes.

It wasn't difficult to find the Alaskan border. A wide, clear cut swath as far as the eye could see. I was elated. I couldn't believe I was in Alaska at last. Another hour and I would touch down at Northway Airport. It took a few minutes to go through customs; cost $25.00.

Northway is a small community built up around the airstrip. There's a post office, motel, cafe, general store, flight service station, and US Customs Offices. I had a big Alaska breakfast with lots of coffee. On the parking ramp, I heard someone say, "That little Alabama dog is going to get cold, way up here in Alaska." I looked up and there was Jack Hale, his wife and their little white toy poodle. Jack is a friend from EAA Chapter 822, Montgomery, Alabama. They were on their way to visit family in Anchorage. Jack's Beechcraft and another, 89G, had arrived from Whitehorse about an hour after I landed. Beech 89G was flown by two gentlemen from Argentina. Both Beech aircraft had been weathered in at Whitehorse, and had flown together to Northway, then to Anchorage. It was a pleasure to meet someone who had helped me out of a jam. I had never expected to see 89G.

I filed for Bradley Sky Ranch, North Pole, Alaska. A few miles north of Northway, a flight of two Beechcrafts passed overhead going to Anchorage. It made me feel lonely for a moment, but Miss P'fer and I had miles to fly.

The wind and turbulence had picked up considerably, and we were getting knocked around a bit. About 50 miles south of Delta Junction, I started looking for a place to land. All that coffee I drank at Northway, plus the turbulence was really making me uncomfortable.

Twenty-five miles south of Delta Junction is a 3,000 foot private grass strip called Sparky. It's a couple hundred feet east and parallels the Alaskan Highway. By now the wind was blowing hard enough to overpower the rudder. I really needed to land. I flew downwind close in to check out the strip. It looked like it needed mowing, but the Mark III could handle tall grass.

Except, the tall grass turned out to be Alaskan bush, I found out as the mains touched them. I was trapped. The bushes were thick, rough and much higher than I had anticipated. I went to full power, full aft stick and prayed. If I slowed down any more, I would surely nose over. If I got the aircraft stopped without nosing over, I wouldn't be able to push it through the bush. I held on just below flying speed, the bushes trying to rip the tail section off, a terrible grinding, chewing, tearing noise. The bushes thinned out a little, and Miss P'fer flew, but I held her down low, just high enough to clear obstacles. The rudder pedals were locked up tight, there was vegetation on both main gear legs and lift struts. I found a pig tail aligned with the wind and landed with fixed rudder. I was amazed when I got out of the aircraft. Not only were there bushes on the lift struts and main gear legs, but also on upper and lower tail wires, the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer and tail wheel.

The Warp Drive prop was green from cutting vegetation. The bushes had reversed the tailwheel horns, locking the MATCO tailwheel up tight. The tailwheel springs and chains were stripped from the aircraft. The landing light was pushed up under the fuselage, but not broken. Fabric and paint was punctured and split on the top of the horizontal stabilizer from the bushes whipping over the leading edge. There was green stain on the leading edges of everything. I was upset with myself for making such a stupid mistake, but extremely proud of Miss P'fer for getting me out of a near catastrophic situation. The Kolb Mark III demonstrated it is a tough, extremely capable airplane.

I got the bushes off the plane, straightened up the tailwheel horns, and tightened up the lower tail wheel brace bolt. The 3/16 inch nyloc nut had backed off dragging through the bush until it was flush with the end of the bolt. It had been inserted from right to left. The wires were stretched and loose, the bolt bent, but everything held. Had I lost the tail wires, the aircraft would have nosed in. I replaced the bolt from left to right. If I get in a similar situation the nut will tighten, not loosen.

From Sparky to Delta Junction was a terrible flight. I didn't crab, I flew sideways. The turbulence was unmerciful. I had my doubts about getting us on the ground in one piece. This gravel airport is like a fly-in community. I taxied all over looking for the FBO and finally found an old tin hangar about a block off the strip. I scrounged some springs and clips to repair Miss P'fer, patched all the holes and tears in the fabric on top of the horizontal stabilizer with two inch wide black electrical tape. I wasn't pretty, but the temporary patches held for the remainder of my trip. There was no real good place to pitch my tent near Miss P'fer and it was wet, windy and cold. My last shower had been five days ago. Easy decision; I hitched a ride to the nearest motel.

​

Day 16

I got up early to beat the wind. After loading up, I was off for Delta Junction. Five minutes north I paralleled the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Ten minutes north my ground speed dropped abruptly from 80 to 35 mph. From calm air to 45 mph headwind instantly. Mix in a little rain, a lot of turbulence and low ceilings and you have a typical morning in the Tanana River Valley.

I called Eielson AFB Tower for permission to low level (200 feet) over the Alaskan Highway through their Control Zone. I was informed to be alert. They were launching and retrieving A-10s and F-16s, and their runway parallels the Alcan Highway. The runway was off my right wing and the fighters were flying left-hand traffic. They were flying base and crosswind right on top of me. I was not very comfortable with this situation, but the tower operator kept telling them to watch out for the ultralight flying the highway. I kept waiting to get turned upside down by their wake.

Ten minutes later I was on short final to Bradley Sky Ranch in North Pole. It was 0830 so I taxied around looking for the FBO and spotted a fuel truck moving on the opposite end of the airport. Had to be real live people there. I found the FBO and went inside a dimly lit office of sort. Three guys were huddled around an old glass counter drinking coffee. Somebody said, "What the hell is that thing out there." They didn't seem too friendly. I told them it was an Alabama bug smasher and that I had been smashing bugs all the way from Alabama. They seemed impressed. I told them of my experience with the bush strip the day before. They exclaimed that I was now an official Alaskan Bush Pilot. I now know the meaning of the term. I had been accepted. Jamie Bradley, Jim Corbin, and Mike spent the rest of the day taking care of my needs and making me feel at home.

I had flown 100 hours since I left Titus, Alabama. It was time for an engine oil and filter change. Jamie got on the phone, found the Mobil 15W50 100% synthetic oil and the Fram PH 3614 oil filter. Jim took me downtown North Pole, right by Santa Claus's house, to the NAPA store to pick up my supplies. Jim stays busy flying a 1946 Rearwin Sky Ranger he rebuilt and running a commercial halibut fishing boat he operates out of Valdez in the spring and fall. He told me about the moose just across the Tanana River. I flew over at about 1800 hours and was amazed to see moose mamas and their calves, but no bulls. I was looking for Bullwinkle. At 10 o'clock that night, I followed Jim out across the wilderness for 22 miles. He knew exactly where to find the big males. We were able to clearly observe them from our airplanes at low level. I was in awe. I had never seen anything like this before in the wild, and now I was doing it in Alaska from a little airplane I had built in my basement. This was unreal.

​

Day 17

I'm apprehensive about getting going today. This is the jumping off   point for the last leg to the Arctic Circle, the Brooks Range, Dead Horse/Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean. These names seem foreign

to me. I can't believe they are within reach of me and Miss P'fer today. We're up and

away before anyone else is awake.

North Pole is 500 miles from Dead Horse, my northern most destination and

turnaround point. We climbed out over Fairbanks and Wainwright AAF, following

the Dalton Highway (pipeline haul road) and the Alaska Pipeline. Seventy-five miles

north I flew over open pit gold mines at Livengood. Another 50 miles and I was

crossing the Yukon River. Five miles north I landed at Five Mile Airstrip to take a

break. I got to touch the pipeline and met a couple of guys who work for Alyeska (the company that maintains the haul road and the pipeline). They took my picture with Miss P'fer and the pipeline in the background. I've flown 130 miles from North Pole and the last hundred have been over totally isolated territory. I have never seen such desolation, wilderness and beauty.

Fifty-five miles up the road I see a sign that says "Arctic Circle, north latitude 66 degrees, 33 minutes." I'm tempted to land on the highway, but something tells me to keep going. I'll be in Coldfoot in less than an hour for food, fuel and a weather check north to Dead Horse.

Before I left North Pole, Jim Corbin briefed me on where and how to land at Coldfoot. There is a gravel airstrip there, but he told me that it was more convenient to land in the parking lot at the lodge. Also, be sure to tell Terry, the manager of the lodge, hello.

I made a quick recon of the area, checked for traffic and landed. Immediately upon landing I was met by Terry, a giant of a man who was not smiling. He told me airplanes landed at the airstrip. I explained why I was where I was, that Jim Corbin had briefed me and had sent his regards. That made it all better. After some hot food and coffee, Terry directed traffic so I could take off on the last north-bound leg of my flight.

Off Coldfoot and up the highway. The weather turned beautiful. The Brooks Range is the last mountain range before the North Slope. I flew low level up the rivers and the highway. The Brooks Mountains are magnificent. Approaching Atigun Pass, I climbed to 6,500 feet to clear the 5,000-foot Pass and avoid any turbulence problems. I'm so far north the angle of the sun is too low in the south to warm the cockpit. I've been sitting in the shade all day, and I'm feeling cold, but I'm pumping so much adrenaline it's not bothering me that much. Since arriving in Alaska I have been warned about Atigun Pass.

 

Through the Pass, I'm descending to find warmer air and the Arctic Ocean. Boy am I dumb! There ain't no warm air in the Arctic. Approaching the south side of Atigun Pass there was some snow and ice on the mountains. On the north side when I turned around to take pictures, I found the base of the mountains covered with solid ice and snow. On the east side of the valley, Dall sheep lie in the sun on what looks like sheer cliffs. I try to get close enough to take their picture, but maintain a safe distance.

 

It's the 23rd of June and Galbraith Lake is still frozen, and I haven't seen a tree or bush since the south side of the mountains. It's easy to describe the North Slope: rolling tundra, streams, the pipeline, the haul road, and the Sag River which flows to Prudhoe Bay.

I buzzed a large encampment across the highway before I landed at Happy Valley, 80 miles south of Dead Horse. Two men in a truck met me at the strip and invited me for cookies and coffee. They were part of a team from the University of Alaska studying early Arctic life, and they had digs all over the area, supported by a helicopter operation.

​

I had problems getting the engine cleared out before takeoff from happy Valley. In the past after flying full throttle a few minutes it would clear up and run fine. Taking advantage of every inch of airstrip, I took off with a slightly rough engine. Heading north, I stayed low over the road in case I needed it. Sure enough, the engine got rougher and wouldn't take full throttle. I landed on the road between 18 wheelers and pulled off at a little side access road. I was worried to say the least. I changed spark plugs, fuel filter, pulled the carb float bowls to check for water. Even cleaned the air filters because the right bank of plugs were sooty. After a ground run up, I was ready to continue my journey, if I didn't get run over by an 18-wheeler on takeoff. I was sure my problem had been solved.

In the air, the engine was no better. Now there were snow stakes on each side of the road and I didn't think I had enough room to land between them. The rougher the air, the rougher the engine. Thirty miles south of Dead Horse I called Flight Service and told them my problem. I had serious doubts if I could make it in. Immediately, a Super Cub radioed Flight Service. He would intercept and escort me home. Twenty miles south I had a Super Cub flying my right wing. I gradually climbed to 2,000 feet out of ground turbulence, found a throttle setting the Rotax 912 liked, and made it to Dead Horse. When I was within gliding distance of the airport, I was able to relax for the first time since the engine problem reared its ugly head.

By the time I landed at Dead Horse and found the transient ramp to tie down, Mike Simmons from Flight Service had arrived from the opposite end of the field. He was there to see if I needed any help. Mike offered the use of the FAA maintenance shop and tools. I was overwhelmed. The Super Cub pilot who escorted me in didn't land. I thanked him over the radio for his assistance.

Well, here I was at my turnaround point, 299 miles north of the Arctic Circle on the transient ramp at Dead Horse, Alaska. The wind is blowing off the polar ice cap at 15 mph and they're having a heat wave; it's 35 degrees. The curious come out to see the weird bird from Alabama.

I catch a ride to the Prudhoe Bay Hotel. They have a room for me, luckily. With no advance arrangements,

I could be sleeping in my tent. It's $75 a day, but includes three meals (four including the midnight meal),

laundry facilities, TV, reading room, recreation room, steam bath and workout room. The mess hall is

open 24-hours a day. Between meals there are baked goods, drinks, ice cream and fruit. Joree Lawson,

a misplaced Alabamian, manages the hotel. She and her staff try their best to make you feel right at

home. She had the cook fix me some sandwiches and soup. It was well after the regular supper meal.

After a long, hot shower, I crawled between clean sheets and slept. The last couple of hours into Dead

Horse had taken its toll on me, physically and mentally, without me realizing it.

​

Day 18

I got up early 24 June. It was snowing and 28 degrees. What was I doing way up here, literally at the end of the earth? I was on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. There was no more land. I'm two days flying time from the North Pole (1,250 miles). I'm at 70 degrees, 18 minutes north latitude. In about three weeks I'll be in Key West, Florida, 24 degrees, 33 minutes north latitude. There was a map of the North American continent covering the wall in the hall. From Dead Horse, Alaska to Key West, Florida is indeed a long, long way!

​

Day 19

Over coffee, I contemplated my situation. I had made it to the Arctic Ocean. I was approximately halfway home. I still had an engine problem to solve. I couldn't get comfortable until it was fixed. There was no one in Dead Horse/Prudhoe Bay to talk with about the problem with my Rotax 912. Right now I wouldn't attempt to fly the Atigun Pass with the engine the way it was. I called Mike at Kolb's to stand by with two replacement carbs. I talked to Arnie Lepp at Kodiak Research, resident Rotax expert. He gave me a few pointers, but didn't solve my problem.

I walked the three or so blocks to the transient ramp. I was freezing by the time I got to Miss P'fer. It was so cold I couldn't concentrate. I hadn't dressed warm enough. I walked back to my room, put on my thermal underwear and other cold weather gear. It had stopped snowing, but the wind blew unmercifully off the polar ice cap.

I opened up the idle screws two full turns rich, past the normal setting. This helped a bunch. I test flew the aircraft an hour and a half. It performed well, but still had some roughness between cruise and idle. The main point was it had normal full and cruise power performance. Miss P'fer was ready to go home.

I was ready to fly south, but Dead Horse and the Atigun Pass were socked in. The weather would remain this way for another three days, the longest I was weathered in during the entire trip. I took advantage of the time by resting, flight planning and taking a tour of the oil field. I got to dunk my big toe in the Arctic Ocean. I've been to beaches all over the world, but this was the first time I had ever been to a beach in June and not seen someone swimming and sun-bathing. I didn't expect to see anybody here; it was windy, 30 degrees and  overcast. There was about 100 feet of open water between the beach and the polar ice cap. If it had not been a first, I would have been completely miserable. I picked up two small stones and two small pieces of driftwood. I carried them with me for the remainder of the flight and they're here in front of me as I write these memories.

​

Day 21

Weather looks like crap. When I call Mike Simmons in the tower, I don't identify myself. Mike knows who I am and what I want without asking. Dead Horse is going to clear up, but the Atigun Pass is questionable. He's waiting for a PIREP for Atigun. Flight Services is dependent on PIREPs for accurate, timely reports. Alaska is so vast the weather systems change so frequently from geographic area to geographic area, they can't take the human element out of the loop.

About 10:30 a.m. I called Mike again. Good news -- Atigun Pass had about 500 feet and looked like it might get better. I asked Mike to open my flight plan for Bettles and North Pole. I was on my way.

Mike cleared me for take off, I turned south, picked up the pipe line haul road, thanked Mike for the hospitality and slipped out of Dead Horse under a very low overcast. Ten miles down the road I broke out into crystal clear air and bright sunshine. I caught a herd of caribou fording the Sagatanirktok River; I could almost reach out and touch them. I climbed to 1500 feet, flew a 360, took one last look at Dead Horse, Prudhoe Bay, the Arctic Ocean and the Polar Ice Cap.

About 135 miles down the road is Galbraith Camp. I was ready for a break. I noticed a Jet Ranger helicopter parked near a small building, so I did the neighborly thing and taxied over. Out came Garland Dobson, a pilot for Trans-Alaska Helicopters. Garland flew Huey's in Vietnam. I'd met him at Coldfoot on my way north. After a lunch of C-ration scrambled eggs and a can of corned beef hash, I decided to take a look at the Atigun Pass. The weather had deteriorated again. Tops of the mountains were obscure. Wind was blowing 10-15 from the south. Not only would I have a headwind, I would also have a downdraft on the approach.

Flying the valley was like flying a tunnel. The 912 which climbed at 5,400 rpm in Alabama would only turn 5000 rpm in the Arctic. The bottom of the cloud layer was 5,200 feet. Atigun Pass is about 5,000 feet. I could see the Pass. I was still trying to get to 5,100 feet. The downdraft was overpowering the aircraft's ability to climb. Atigun Pass is "V" shaped; it should be called Atigun Cut, and it has an "S" curve in the middle.

The wind from the south meant there was a good possibility that clouds were pushed up against the mountain. I wouldn't know if it was socked in on the south side of the Pass until I had committed myself, then it would be too late to turn back. The Pass is too small with this low ceiling to do a 360; I went for it. It was like threading a needle. Once in the Pass I looked to the right. I could see the road falling away down the side of the mountain. I banked right and pushed the nose over. I had made it; I had beaten Atigun Pass. I didn't realize until I knew I had made it, but my heart was pounding and I was panting like a dog. There was no scarcity of adrenaline in my cockpit.

The next 50 miles it rained harder, and the ceiling kept dropping. I finally ran out of visibility and landed on the road just north of Wiseman. After putting on my poncho, I enjoyed my surroundings for an hour or so until it stopped raining and I had enough ceiling to fly.

I hadn't realized I was so near Wiseman. I flew right over the village and their airstrip on takeoff from the haul road. Circling overhead, I saw a man wave to me from the door of a cabin. I decided to land. Jack Reakoff and his son met me at the gravel strip located 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and invited me to his cabin for tea. He lives there with his wife, son and daughter. Jack is a fur trapper. Most of his work is done during the winter. He has no telephone and mail is delivered once a week, when it can get through. He does have a generator and a satellite receiver. The children are school age and are taught at home through a correspondence course. Five full-time families live in Wiseman, a gold mining village at the turn of the century.

On departure from Wiseman, I picked up the river and followed it about 50 miles away from the haul road to Bettles. At Bettles I refueled Miss P'fer, 20 gallons LL at $3.45 a gallon, the most expensive of my trip. I had a big New York strip steak, home made pie and a lot of coffee.

I stopped by the weather station, checked weather for the three-hour flight to North Pole, and opened my flight plan over the phone with the Fairbanks FSS. It was 2000 hours when I left, 2300 when I arrived and I couldn't log any of it as night flight as it never got dark!

​

Day 22

The weather was lousy! I took the morning to get reorganized and made my

plans for my flight to Mount McKinley, then checked Miss P'fer really well. By

noon I had said my farewells and was headed west to Nenana, paralleling the

Tanana River most of the flight. I picked up the Anchorage Highway to Denali

Park airstrip. It was cloudy and I couldn't see Mount McKinley; I couldn't see the

tops of any mountains. I was really disappointed. I might not get to see the

big one.

I departed Denali south down the highway. In a short time the clouds broke up and I'd get an occasional peak at the mountain. I wanted more. I climbed up through the clouds. At 10,000 feet and 15 degrees above zero, Miss P'fer and I were on top. During the climb we brushed a cloud. The cockpit filled with tiny ice balls. I'd never seen anything like this. Denali (Mount McKinley) was surrounded by clouds, but I got my pictures. From 10,000 feet, we could glide to Talkeetna airport.

Talkeetna is the base for most of the air traffic and expeditions that attack Mount McKinley. I refueled at Hudson's Air Service, then took a short walk through the woods to a nice restaurant and lodge for a big steak to help me make it through the night.

I flew south to Willow, east to Wasilla and Palmer. I decided to pass up Anchorage this trip. Flew over Knik Glacier then up the Glenn Highway to Matanuska Glacier, which almost touches the highway. The weather has changed from good to bad, low ceiling, rain showers, and I'm getting cold. The weather at Fairbanks was too warm for my thermal underwear, so I had elected to go without them. I landed at Skelton Airstrip, Eureka Lodge, elevation at 3,289 feet.

I was okay until I got out of the airplane, which has no cabin heat. Then, I was instantly chilled to the bone, shaking uncontrollably. I grabbed a stool at the counter in the Eureka Lodge and drank four cups of coffee before I could stop shaking enough to retrieve my thermals from Miss P'fer and put them back on. Needless to say, I slept in my tent that night, not under the "almost stars."

​

Day 23

An hour out of Eureka, past mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes we were landing in Gulkana for fuel. On east up the Glenn Highway to Tetlin Lake, then cross-country to Northway. The weather was marginal but I could make it to Beaver Creek, Yukon Territory, to go through Canadian Customs.

I filed for Whitehorse, but the weather got sour and I knew there was a warm, dry place to spend the night in the Haines Junction FBO, so I pushed on for another hour in the rain.

​

Day 24

Whitehorse was an hour away, 85 miles, taking the short cut over the mountain, 5,855 feet, just west of the airport. It was raining when I landed. Flight Service didn't recommend VFR down the highway to Watson Lake. One PIREP report said he'd gotten through with little problem; another said he'd never do it again. I learned early on, if I was going to get up here and back home, I would have to fly as far as I could, when I could, safely.

I filed for Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. It was drizzling when I broke ground. At Pine Lake emergency strip, we landed for a few minutes for a quick break and were immediately swarmed by mosquitoes, even inside the airplane. We made a hasty retreat past Rancheria; I wanted to stop and eat, but I figured it best to try and beat the weather. Five miles past Rancheria we ran into a solid black wall of heavy rain. The tops of the mountains were obscured. There was no choice but to return to Rancheria and land on the highway.

It was raining hard by the time I got out of Miss P'fer. The friendly folks at the service station helped me shoehorn her between the two buildings next to the gas pumps. Here she was to sit for two days.

We weren't going anywhere. Again, as in Dead Horse, my Higher Power was looking out for my welfare. We were on the ground safely, had a telephone to cancel my flight plan and call home, and there was a cafe available and I was dry and warm. I asked if there was a dry corner to throw my sleeping bag and they offered me a room complete with indoor toilet, shower and hot water. It wasn't the Hilton, but the next two nights I slept between clean sheets. Weather delays are hard to accept, but there are advantages. It gave me time to plan my flight south.

​

Day 26

Up at 0400, 0500 I had the plane loaded and warmed up. There was still low

ceiling, but it was worth a try to get to Watson Lake, 70 miles down the road. An

hour later, we crossed the VOR, dropped under the scud and landed.

After a couple of hours the weather improved enough to attempt the 200 mile

flight to Toad River, where I shared the strip with a Twin Otter taking on jet fuel

from 55 gallon drums. Summit Pass was 25 miles east. If I could make this Pass,

I could probably make it into Fort Nelson.

We had to fly just above the road to clear Summit Pass. I could see the whites of the tourist eyes at the gas station. Over the Pass, I had to fly the river, low level for 40 miles. No problem with visibility down here, just sharp turns and the possibility of meeting another aircraft flying the opposite direction. Even with the four-cycle 912 behind me, I'm uncomfortable until I'm flying where I can reach good forced landing areas.

At Fort Nelson I didn't get good news. Some weird weather had the weather guessers wondering. I decided to spend the night.

​

Day 27

A repeat of yesterday. Rain and low visibility. The highway to Fort St. John is not VFR, but the river and railroad are. FSS wants to know why I don't go that way. Easy -- it's 236 miles with nothing but river, rails and cross ties. I wait.

About noon the weather looks good enough to make it to Sikanni Chief, about 120 miles. The emergency strip was muddy. I parked Miss P'fer mid-field and then walked two miles to Mae's Kitchen. All I thought about from the time I left Fort Nelson until I was at the door of the Cafe was food and coffee. All I got was a  sign on the front door that read: "Closed until further notice. Our well pump is inoperative." I wasn't disappointed, I was crushed. I called FSS, updated my flight plan and walked the cold, wet two miles back to my airplane.

Two hours later I landed in Fort St. John. The weather was the same, but it was VFR. I filed for Prince George and made it into Chetwynd an hour later. I wasn't going any further today. The trench was socked in from the ground up. A small crowd began to gather around Miss P'fer, members of the Chetwynd Aero Club. Among them were Bruce and Lesley Jaques. They promptly invited me to spend the night with them when I asked if there was a place to eat nearby. After a shower and a home cooked meal, I crawled between clean sheets.

​

Day 28

It's the 4th of July. After a delicious breakfast, Bruce drove me back to the airport. About noon, the trench became flyable. I made stops at Prince George and 108-Mile House, but pushed hard out of the Fraser River Canyon. Hope lies at the south end of the Canyon; it was dark by the time I got there, but I elected to push on to Chilliwack, 33 miles further. The airfield is close to town and the terrain is flat. Ten miles out I picked up the beacon. A few minutes later we were safely on the runway. I spent my 4th of July flying 618 miles in 6.8 hours, pushed along by a wonderful tailwind. We'd averaged 91 mph. I went to bed without supper.

By the time I crawled out, the airport cafe was operational. I took full advantage with a big breakfast and lots of hot coffee. I wasn't going anywhere until the weather in Bellingham, Washington was clear. By 1030 Bellingham was VFR. We cleared customs and after a short flight over the hills and hayfields of northern Washington state, we reached the Arlington airport. How it had changed since I left here 18 days ago. It looked like a carnival had come to town. They were getting ready for the Northwest EAA Regional Fly-In to start the next day. I gave me and Miss P'fer a rest by spending the next day and night there. The weather was beautiful. I dug out my shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops. Boy, did that sun feel good.