Friday, July 30th Meeting Jessica Cox

When I arrived at 'my' stage at Kidventure there was a big crowd. Before I could get jealous, I saw the person there: Jessica Cox, the woman who was born without arms and had managed to learn to fly. Her motto? 'Yes I Can!'. If you really want something, you can do it is her credo. After she had answered so many questions from the kids ( How do you was your hair? How do you get on a high chair?) , and Jessica demonstrating with a girl how she tied shoelaces with her toes, I finally got the little simulator Cub on stage and could I tell her how touched I was when I read her story in an Aopa Magazine. I told her thet in my country, people with fysical restrictions have little chance to be a pilot, and congratulated her on living in an Aviators Heaven, the USA.

I am quite tired now, since I also did a show at the New Holstein SuperCub Fly In. It felt like doing it for my own family. There was one break during mt storytelling: three Huey Choppers who had been visiting, took off ...

To let you know more about Jessica I paste this link in. More on YouTube!

Pilot Flies Without Arms - The funniest home videos are here

Thursday, July 29th Fly Out Washington Island

I camped last night at the SuperCub New Holstein Fly In, so I could fly with my friend Randy Corfman today. After a great breakfast, a shower at the Highschool, and a briefing by FdxKLou were ready to go!. 75 Minutes of joyful flying along the shores of Lake Michigan, waving people, a shipwreck, birds, clear water and a nice landing on Washington Island. The local cop was watching us land and almost arrested one of our pilots (only joking). After the lunch we had more fun coasting the shores. So now I am back, sorting the pictures, and getting ready to do my Dream-show once more here in New Holstein, after dinner.

Wednesday, July 28th New Holstein Big Pig Roast

SuperCub.org Fly In 2010 New Holstein WI, the place to be, especially on Wednesdaynight when SuperCubbers and New Holsteiners meet. And I met quite a few of the people who hosted me during this uncredible trip, and t hey could meet each other. My recent hosts Carol Dodge and Rollie Olm, Dean Nordsving, Rick Papp, John Graham and of course Steve Johnson. Grant Wallace arrived later from Oshkosh, so I had a special fotosession with him.


And then we had a great meal and there were speeches by Steve and the mayor, and then music and o lot of lying while I set up my tent. And met many old and new friends!

Warbirds on Oshkosh

Tuesday I was with Carol and Rollie again at Oshkosh and saw with them an awful show: static but also in the air. To make it more digestible I put Glenn Millers 'American Patrol' with it. Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 27th Oshkosh with Carol and Rollie

Yes, there I am on Kidventures Aviation Hero Stage, with a Cub-like simulator reprsenting a real PiperCub. Like yesterday I managed to draw a fine audience for my story. There were som technical challenges with electrical fuses, but the show went on. I received quite a few positive reactions for my show, so afterwards I felt tired but great. My Wisconsin hosts Rollie Olm and Carol Dodge were amongst the audience and took pictures that I present here. Then I changed clothes and we had something to eat. Thereafter we went to the Warbird section. First a tram, and then suddenly while waiting for the next tram, a nice young lady in a Ford Hybrid invited us for a free ride to the wrabirds. So we did! Maybe I'll be a Ford Hybrid after my Volkswagen Polo ... And then the warbirds: so many and in such a perfect state! I will make a special slideshow of them later, took pictures of quite few. But for now, no time! Tired and to bed. For then we saw part of the Air SHow, with lots and lots of the warbirds in it. Also a jetpowered glider. And just before I reached Rollies pickuptruck I was facinted by the attempts to get the Goodyear Blip attahed to the ground. I made short trip to New Holstein to pick up the 2010 t-shirts, and assess that I will do a show there in Thursday evening. I was there not longer than an hour but I already saw so many friends I got to know over the years, and shake hands with that I felt like leaving another homeplace in the USA. Thank you, tomorrow I will be back for the big Pig Roast.

Monday July 26th, Oshkosh First Day

Thanks to the fact that I was a performer, I had a very good parking spot, near the Museum. I brought my things over to Pioneer Kidsventure, and met several extremely helpful people who helped me to get things right for my show. But, about the show I will tell you tomorrow. Today I was impressed how the EAA introduces kids to aviation. And most of it they can try out for themselves, even earn point on the way to be a pilot or mechanic. Also the making of propellers was a hit! So that is illustrated by the pictures above.
And then, one hangar further, a wonderful assembly of historic aircraft, all in perfect state, ready to fly ...

I met at Kidventure a Kitfox-pilot who had seen my show in New Holstein, and Pat - cubflyer - who had read this blog and was also coming to the SuperCub.org Big Pig Roast coming Wednesday. So: small world, the aviation world ...
After the show - yes more about that tomorrow - I had a cool drink and a sandwich in the Volunteers Cafetaria, took the bus to the main entrance, and was absolved by the magnificent event Airventure is. Planes, planes and planes. The latest, the oldest, big ones, small ones. Went into Hall F, and saw again my Minneapolis host Grant Wallace, in the LakeandAir Pilot Shop. He and his Champ had stranded in Font du Lac because of the soggy Oskosh campgrounds, but he was there!
Well here are some piotures I took, too much for words, I am dead tired and leave this blog for today.

Sunday, July 25th Check out New Holstein and Manitowoc

With Rollie in the PA11 on this pretty weather in 20 minutes to New Holstein. There I met Charley and his wife with their fantastic red supercub all the way from Georgia. Saw Rollie's daughter Pam, her dog Billy and her husband and the New Holstein crowd in her hangar. Then I went up the field: of course Steve Johnson, Laura, Wendy, Donald, Bill and Nicole. Helped a bit stacking out the campplaces. 60 SuperCubs were expected! Then all of a sudden Mark Drath (Bozz), one night frm Illinois, where he is cropdusting. Sorry that most of the week I will be in Oshkosh to do my storytelling. But Wednesday and Thursday I hope to be part of the Big Pig Roast and the Fly Out.
Rollie called: it's time to get home. So we stepped in the PA11 and away we were.



When home we got the message that Oshkosh was soaked and no airplanes could come in. Incoming planes were being directed to Fond du Lac, Appleton, and when those were full, even Manitowoc became a waiting spot.
So Rollie got his PA 11 out again and we made a short inspection tour to Manitowoc.

July 23rd, Friends of the Branch meeting

My hosts are both Friends of the Branch, together with a lot of people who live on the watershed of the Branch river, that passes their land until it unites with the Manitowoc River, that end in Lake Michigan. Friends of the Branch's goal is to keep their river healthy and clear, as most of them also have drinkwater from wells that draw water from the same river. But they alos have outings, sometimes with children, sometimes with presentations on gloal warming or farming the connecting land in such a way that it does not pollute 'their' river. This evening the Friends were at a Trout and Winery near the Branch. We were guided by the owner along his fishponds and then his winery. We could taste all kinds of wine they produce there, and then had a good meal. It was a nice and informal meeting, concluded by storyteller Bil Surfus about the Big Frog and the River.
And this is the Branch River as it flows along the Michael Dodge Nature Preserve, where I stay, as seen from the Piper Cub that finds its home on the same land.

July 23rd, Manitowoc Culture Cafe

Today, early morning breakfast at Kellersville with Rollie. Then a lot of administrative banking business to do via the internet. And got an invitation to do a Fools workshop with Accountants in Holland, very welcome! May help to spike up my bank account. Then I drove up to Manitowoc to RadioShack, they were able to to put money into my cell phone account, which I hadnot been able to do thru att internet (unable to put in a Dutch creditcard address). Anyhow, on my way back I spotted the Culture Cafe. The place where two years ago Cecilia and I were made very welcom by Richard Boyle, the owner. He was the first human we met then who wore a Vote Obama shirt. He told me then he hoped Obama, if elected would make the US friends with the world again. When I entered today he wold me he didn't regret he voted for Obama at all. Anyhow, I had a great capuccino, and I am sitting now typing this message in this nice place. And I can tell you, Obama or McCain, whoevers friend you are, we in Holland can't elect our Royal Highness the Queen. Thank for staying in your great country!

July 22nd, Oshkosh in the rain

Today I drove Northwise around Lake Winnebago in Carol and Rollie's Pickuptruck WE(LOVE)2FLY to EAA-Museum in Oshkosh. I met Mark Forss who handles the presentations, some 1500 of them. As we drove in his car over to the Pioneer Airfield, where I will tell my 'A Dream Comes True, a Flying Dutchman and his Cub', we discussed the rainfall of this and the last day over this part of Wisconsin. Enormous. So we hoped that things willhave cleared up before Airventure starts. After I had seen the place where I will do the story, he brought me back to the Museumbuilding. As an EAA-member I have a free entrance, and after a coffee I went into the Museum to look around. Fascinating! Last time I was there was two years ago. Many new aircraft, and a whole new Kidsventure! Simulators in all sorts with greedy children making full use of them. So I took some pictures and rode back to Whitelaw. Rollie had hoped to give me a ride in their PA-11, but the runway was soaking wet again. Another time!

Wednesday July 21st; 100 year Ford dealer in Valders Wisconsin

Exactly 100 years ago by Valders dealer Christel, tyhe first Ford was sold in Wisconsin. That anniversary was memmorated today by inviting many Ford antique cars to the center in Valders.
My hosts Carol and Rollie own a beautiful Model A Ford, and together with their friend Chuck in his old Van, we drove to Valders. Saw many nice cars, also some with special memoirs. A grey Ford (1934), bought once by Steve Quasius, the proud owner for $25,-. And now 2010 in exquisite state. Wow!
Tomorrow I will drive to EAA in Oshkosh to prepare everything for my presentation next week. I can hardly wait ...

July 20th Shopping in Manitowoc and weather

Went in Rollie's pickuptruck to Manitowoc to buy a webcam/mike to adjust on their computer. So we had a lot of fun talking to Cecilia back home in the Netherlands, thru Skype. Carol and Rollie have a very fast internetconnection, but on a cable, only their computer will listen to it. But now we found a way to keep in contact with her and can Cecilia be a part of our fun here and we of her fun their!
After a good meal at Luigi's the sky darkened quickly and big clouds came nearer. A lot of flashing lights, but luckily not damage. Tomorrow I will do bookkeeping with Cecilia thru Skype and have another day of rest. BTW I showed Carol and Rollie the videos Greg Swingle and John Graham shot last year in Ohio on Rick Papps hills: truly amazing ... If you want to see it, I put a link to them on this blog!

Monday, July 19th, Skype, Patty Wagstaff's J3, Honda, Pittsburg and Greenbay

In the quiet morning I had a great internet meeting with Cecilia and friends in The Hague on Skype. My hosts Margie and Rick Papp joined us and wanted also to be able to talk to Jakob in Germany. So I set them on track as this little program makes it possible to communicate in a fantastic and cheap way. Then Rick brought me again to Bob Balint, so I could take some pictures of his beautiful J3. Preceding owner had been the great aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff. Wow! Bob confided that making loops, barrel rolls and spins is not a problem at all … 100 hp.
Then I said goodbye to Margie and Rick drove me all the way to Pittsburg Intl, guided by his gps. As 'brothers by different mothers' we separated. I was right in time to get on a Delta DC9. First to Detroit, then to Greenbay. Also in a jetliner flying can be beautiful with all those clouds. Just after we landed in Wisconsin big black cloud we'd seen in the distance, broke into a heavy shower.
And then: it was so good to see Carol and Rollie again, after two years. Sorry that Cecilia couldn't make it this time, but waiting for me with a big smile on their faces. Back in 'my homestead in the USA'. I found packages sent up from Johnson Creek (thank you Dave Kirsten, for packing my things and tent and sending them up) and Alaska. Also the banner for my Dream of Flying Show had arrived. (Thank you Steve Johnson for doing a wonderful job!). So now there are some days to prepare for Oshkosh and New Holsteins Super Cub Fly In. What a journey, unbelievable!
And this Bob Balint with his J3 (his airstrip runs 1800 feet)

Sunday July 18th Goose Creek Breakfast Fly In, Fair Farm Field, NY

1. Early morning service by Dan Cook at 6.30 Main subject 'Getting Lost'; on the screen all the time the soothing picture of his yellow supercub.
2. Great breakfast: pancakes, coffee, sausages, eggdrink, whatever!
3. Meeting many many people, talk about planes, the Netherlands, the J3 Cub I fly in, flying in America, Alaska. And, all of a sudden:
4. I talk with Rob, biological farmer who lives nearby. We want to stir our coffee, no spoon. He uses his knife and hands it to me. Closes it, puts it back on his belt. Ten minutes later, more coffee, nothing to stir with. I tell him I need to buy a knife myself if I continue travelling. He says:'Here is your knife, don't have to buy it, take mine!' One minute it takes me to accept his offer with so many thanks! Thank you Rob, this made my day special.
I talk to Barbara Carlson, Jeffs mother, who started this fly in 40 years ago with his father. I meet many happy J3 owners, and the guy who so brilliantly restored a Vagabond. 632 persons were counted at this Fly In, isn't that amazing? It's too much to tell here.
So have a look for yourself, watch the planes that were here in Ashville NY, and look at the pictures of a happy crowd, enjoying this aircraft little heaven.
This are the planes:



Now I am back with Rick and Margie Papp in Ohio. Tomorrow I will fly from Pittsburg (jetwise ...) to Greenbay, Wisconsin. Tonight I will rest with a new friend who lives in my bedroom.

July 17th, part II to Fair Farm Ashville, New York State

Around noon the fog cleared and Margie drove Rick and me to the New Martinsville airport. When we took off there was still some haze, but when we cleared Pittsburg Intl. Airport vision got much better. We were headed towards the annual Goose Creek Fly In, in Asville, NY. Jeff and Mary Carlson organize the event since quite a few years. Almost the whole family is a pilot, Jeff himself used to be a Northwest captain. So they have their unique airport with floatpond next to their house, and when Rick and I arrived after a bumpy ride, there were only a few pilots. Both from SuperCub.org: Tim and Tim. We had a nice time together exchanging news, and getting to know the other people around. We were invited to have dinner on the deck, and a luxurious sleeping place in the house. Of course we will assist the family tomorrow with the fly in. We will be up at 6.00 am.

July 16th/ 17th, with Rick and Margie in Hillbilly land.

Fridaymorning, after breakfast in Frayersburg, I went to Tom's Barbershop to have a haircut. Tom also used to fly and a model is over the chair where I got my trim. Then I went to Dresden to to my internet things in the open Wrangler Jeep. John Graham buzzed me there with his Scout to let me know that he was starting another pipelinetrip. When I arrived back at Graham Farm, there was a phone call from Rick Papp. He would come to pick me up in 20 minutes. Patty was there too. She had made me fantastic business cards I could use at Oshkosh, with my US cell number and blog name printed on them. Deb drove me and my things down to the field. John Graham just got back in. John, Rick and I had a good lunch at Scottie's Den in Dresden. After I saying farewell to the Grahams, Rick and I took off on the way to New Martinsville, Westvirginia. It still was hazy, and quite bumpy, but after half an hour we landed there. Put the Cub in a hangar. Margie Papp waited for us. We did some shopping. Tried to make the last phonically: at the Lodges no phone, no internet. But what a beautiful place! Although Rick's back and hip caused him a lot of pain, he insisted on showing me around over the hills and into the woods on the ATB. I saw two place, where a guy called Greg, landed his Rantz- aircraft. It is because I happen to know this Greg, or else I would thought Rick was telling me fairy tales …

This is the video of Gregs Ohio Bushwheel Pilots while landing there:

Pioneering :: Ohio Bush Planes from Greg Swingle on Vimeo.

In the woods Rick showed me some family cemeteries, some neglected, some very well kept. Now I start to understand what hillbilly country means, many high steep hills, places where a hermit might be in his comfort zone.
I write this on Saturday morning. Woke up with fog all around. Ricks back gave him a terrible night. We had home made Sausage Gravy for breakfast . If the fog burns off we might fly to New York upstate. Just went up the top of the hill, with now and then cell phone coverage, to check messages. Margie is mowing the grass. I go with the flow ...

July 14 and 15 Graham Farm Graham Field

07.00 Breakfast with Deb and John with the boys in Frayersburg. Better than any newspaper!
On Wednesday I did a internet session near the Dresden Library. Back home, again another cafe, with another crowd, more news for lunch and delicious fruit cake. In the afternoon I made sentimental journey to Coshocton, where in 2005 Krijn and me had joined Nassim de Jong. Nassim, being trained at MMC, introduced us to landings on all sorts of little airports in a Taylorcraft and a C170 around Coshocton and Zanesvilles, including Graham Field. After he succeeded in getting his A&P, the three of us set out to Oshkosh, or better: New Holstein, where we met SuperCub.org alive and kicking. Anyhow, in Coshocton I was so lucky to meet mr Dwight Jarboe of Missionary Maintenance Service himself. We had a very nice chat about well Nassim was doing and what SuperCub.org meant for so many of us. On my way backk to Graham Farm, all of a sudden a deer jumped out of the bush. Impossible to avoid it, struck Johns Jeep, and sent the deer sailing away to the shoulder of the other side of the road. Didn't know how to report this so decided to continue to John.
Well he really trusts me, today he gave me his open Jeep to drive to the internetspot near Dresdens Library, so I write this with some little spots of rain falling on me as this one has no roof… Did some grass mowing also that day ...
To keep this short: John and Deb got me into another bar for an excellent chickenwings meal. I met there Bushy and his lady Patty. Thursday after breakfast John invited me to join him on his pipeline track. 5 Hours (see the special movie I made of that). Then Patty invited me to see the new school where she works. Had a short Skyp video meeting with Cecilia. And today, Friday, Rick Papp will pick me up after eleven in his superb. A new adventure will start … Thank you John and Deb, you are wonderful hosts!

July 14th, one month from home - review so far

June 14th I left Oosterland, and flew from Brussels to Billings MT. Dave Kirsten flew me to Johnson Creek ID for the Super Cub Fly In. Made breakfast fly outs with Dave, Dean and Steve Johnson. Could tell my Dream of Flying Story there. Did not win the gun. I flew with Rick Papp and Dean Nordsving to Minneapolis. Grant Wallace flew me in his Champ and took me to Frontier Airlines. They put me down in Anchorage, Alaska. At Lake Hood Mark Englerth flew me in his float Cub to a cabin. From a glacier flight with Joe Beck. On the highway north I stayed with JRHammack, drove on to Vicky and Dan in Fairbanks. Flew to their cabin in the wilderness. Made Off airport landings myself with instructor Clay. Back again in Wassila in Mark and Sheila's cabin. Attended my first 4th of July Parade. Then John Graham picked me up with his Scout and flew me to AK66, where I met host GlacierCub Paul Pogue. Great meal there. Next day outings to gravel bars, Lake Hood, Talkeetna with Greg Swingle - just married the day before on the glacier - Dan De Voe and the Conklin family for Idaho.
And now: I am staying with the Grahams. Got an invitation from Rick Papp for the weekend to joind him for a fly in somewhere in New York. Then I will travel to Whitelaw, Wisconsin and prepare myself for the Oshkosh shows.
I plotted our trip on my Flitestar Jeppesen program. When zooming out the whole world appeared. And then I saw how long the trip was I was honored to make with John.
From AK66 to Graham Field OH, if I had started in the Netherlands, I would have been in China by now.
And all this made possible by the great website of SuperCub.org and its members. Flabbergasting ...

July 13nd, Wisconsin to Ohio, Full Stop

We started the day with fog. And the restaurant on the field opened so we had a great breakfast! In the FBO I met Mike, who was beautifully rebuilding a supercub! He and I marvelled at flying a J3 Cub. And as I told him the Dream come true story I am going to do in Oshkosh, he immediately announced he would come over and see me! But the fog had cleared up so we took off right away. Going south along the Chicago shore was impossible because of the weather. Thanks to Johns weather equipped gps, we could get around the city in the south east. It became windfarming country, so we had to be very alert to avoid them. Greg found a autogas station on the way and decided to refuel there, while John pulled on. We made a stop at Kokomo IN, where a Champ was making landings. It was a nice flying club. We met Mr. Wright, who also became enthusiast for my upcoming show. After a ttreat on the house (two Cokes), we took off again. We hoped to get between two weather systems. The smell of hogs told us we entered Ohio State. Soon after it became darker and the first rain drops arrived. But John could follow one of his pipeline tracks and managed to get to the Worlds Biggest Breadbasket. He suggested to fly under it, as he once did, but decided against it: we had to get to Grahams Field. And so we did! Den, Johns wife, and his mother Marion came to the hangar to pick us up. We showered, and went out for a great dinner in Zanesvilles. Host: John Starner, Owner of Muddy Misers Cool River Café. He was John passenger to Alaska in an earlier flight, so I found my buddy there. After a great steak we had an icecream in Tom's IceCream Parlor (revived from the sixties). What a great day, what a great trip. After we went back home I was too sleepy to do anything. So I went to a real bed, for the first time in a week.

July 12th, Monday Going Farmland, tractors and bad weather near Chicago

I woke up from my sofa, John emerged from the backseat of the policer and Greg crept out of his tent. We had breakfast in Tioga (always look where the pickup trucks are, when you want a good one). Greg almost got hypnotized but luckily we could take off with a clear head. Saw many farms, and then Pete's Tractor Site!
Buzzed it and got down on his little strip. We met Milton, who told us to have a look at this incredible yard full with old memories. He even sold parts to the Netherlands, he said. Then up to 9000 feet, with a tailwind we reached Willmar. Had great lunch there at Frieda's place. Greg loaded up his fuel containers and then we set off. Going south we learned of bad weather around Chicago. Decided to land North of it, and wait out. So now we are at Tri Co Regl Airport. We woke up with a fog, but luckily we could have breakfast a the on airport restaurant.

July 11th, Back in the US of A

Good morning, yesterday early
1. Greg decided to change his propeller
2. John took neighbor Mandy from Germany for a ride
3. We enjoyed a gorgeous breakfast plus coffee brought in by same Mandy!
4. Greg had a favorable testflight with his long props
5. We went to Westlock for fuel, and a friendly reception by the local flying club
6. Then a long flight to Kindersley (CYKY). Refuelled, found a great courtesy car. Drove top local grill. Had New York Steaks and Salmon (Greg). Learned thru internet that Spain had won over the Dutch. Greg delayed by phone our bordercrossing with Customs. And off we went to
6a A lonely countryroad where John made an emergence stop to relieve himself before hitting
7. Scobey Border Station: tiny field on the Canadian/USA border with Customs of the countries on each side. There we were inspected by a strict but friendly Border Control Couple. The planes were found free of radio active radiation. And I could go to the US restroom, to give my bowels a rest.
8. Took off again in the early evening, finally to land at Ioga, North Dakota. Again a wonderful courtesy car. Had a pizza and Corona in the local cafe. (Reminiscences of "The last Picture Show"). Meant to sleep ion the FBO. But there was such a horrible stench (Greg suspected a dead rat … in the cellar). He set up his tent, John took refuge in the old sheriffs car and me on the sofa, with the door open. Just had my coffee, jetboiled, ready to go again!

July 9th, Dawson Lake to Swan Field: Low and high

Dawson Lake, vast airport, used during 2nd world war to ship warplanes from the USA to Russia. Impressing pictures of men and women pilots during that time on that field.
Then on we went, after Greg made our immigration to the US tomorrow officially possible on the internet, we took off, saying goodbye to the hundreds of distance signs to places all over the world in Watson Lake.
First mountains again, endless no mens land, rough country, then all of a sudden wonderful lakes, RV's, some trucks, more RV's. Lunch at Toads Inn, along the Alaska High Way. And sudden, after take off, more RV's, people fishing.
Change of landscape: all green, shortly ate Fairfield a fire being dealt with by a helicopter. Even more roads, small farms. Canola yellow all over the place. A tailwind high up took us further south east. End we ended in Swan Field at 09.15. 'What a surprise, never ever happens here at this airport!' called a lady out to us. Mandy, as she introduced herself, took us to town to get a pizza and a pop. Yeah, Germany had won over Uruguay. And we went to sleep in the FBO. What a day again!

July 9th To Canada

Early in the morning, at 5, of course already light, we woke up, packed things, said goodbye to Paul Pogue (GlacierCub) and we went off in two planes, a as a crewmember of John Grham in his Scout, and Greg in his Ranz LSA plane.
So many things happened that I only can be very short as I type this while the pictures are being uploaded in the Terminal Hall of Airport Watson Lake, Yukon.
1st to Palmer to fuel up. Wonderful active DV3's on the platform;
2nd along the glaciers to a pass where bikers wee running and we had a great breakfast at Eureka (strip nest to the highway), all kinds of animal skins on the wall;
3rd next to another Alaskan airport to fuel up, TOK it was;
4th to Chicken, the last US airport. We drove up along the road to the Chicken restaurant, where we were hugged by owner Suzie. Too bad, we only had lunch, and did not stay over!
4.5 th Last stop in Boundary to get rid of forbidden fruits: cherries ....
5th To Dawson City: nice Immigration Officer stamped my Dutch passport. Fuel up and go again.
6th To Faro (Yukon), again fuel, this time nobody on the airport.
7th Miles and miles and miles over wilderness, mountains, hills, streams, rivers, for three hours, and nobody to be seen. When it became darker we landed in Watson Lake, camp next to the lake, had some hotdogs and a beer (Greg champaign left over from his wedding). An internet!
And now I will add the pictures to this blog and go to my tent. Tchuzz!

Friday, July 9th Leaving for Chicken and Canada

Van 2010-07-08 Last day Alaska1

Thursday John, Greg and me spent the whole day flying, to Lake Hood, to meet freinds of John and Greg, like Matt, Nancy and their kids, Don de Voe, Bill the dentist and many more. All of us went out to do landings on river banks and gravel bars. Greg and John did some spectaculair waterlandings. Afterwards John and I refuelled at Talkeetna and had a short bikeride to have capuccino in town. We all reassembled in Lake Hood and were invited by Don and his wife Mary for a grand dinner. At 23.30 we landed again at Paul's place at Knik Glacier. Had a beer and went to bed. So now, this is Fridaymorning 06.40 our bag are packed again, and were leaving for Chicken, have customs from their to enter Canada. Like Greg says: nothing much to do there, but we need to get thru Yukon to get back into the USofA.

July 8th, John, Greg and me with Paul and Joan

John picked me up in Wasilla airport and we flew back to Knik and there I met GlacierCub. Together we had a great meal that Paul prepared: salmon! We watched JohnsonCreek pictures lying on the floor of his beautiful house. Greg I only met this morning. Now we will have breakfast and prepare for what's to come!

July 7th, Wasilla goodbye!

'All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go' so I hear John Denvers voice in my head ... Say goodbye to my great hosts Mark and Sheila, say goodbye to Joe Beck, say goodbye to this great place to stay. I hope to return here and show Cecilia this incredible place. At 16.00 my next host and pilot, John Graham, will pick me up at Wasilla Airport. I will be flying back to the lower 48ths. A big adventure comes on the horizon ...

July 5th: also a holiday .... And maybe on the 8th I'll fly to Ohio

Returning from Wasilla, I checked the Wasilla Airport (all behind fences) and bought some chops at the Three Bears Alaska. Good meal! Today I had a travelling day. Return my rental yellow Chevvy to Anchorage, return by ValleyMoverBus to Eddy Meyer's. Joe Beck would pick me there and bring me to 'my' cabin. Not so! I learned that the 5th of July is also a holiday for US mail (couldn't buy stamps for Europe: closed) and for this commuter bus.

So I waited in vain. Thought of staying in a hotel in Anchorage, and taking the bus tomorrow morning. On the phone Joe Beck said he would pick me up then. But then I saw this yellow cab, the same I had taken to get the rental car. With the same friendly driver. Asked him for how much to Wisalla, cabin. We made a deal. And now I am home.
The big news is that John phoned yesterday: Weather permitting, he would like to leave Alaska on Thursday coming. All the way to Ohio. He has an empty seat in his Skout and I have the privilege to fill it. So I start preparing for that big journey!

Happy Fourth of July in Wasilla

Got a message from Paul via Supercub.org : Great Parade in Wasilla at 11.00 am!
Just in time I was there. Asked a guy what it was about. Said he: 'Today we celebrate our independance'. Answered I: 'Yeah, like we celebrate Queens Birthday in Holland'. His answer silenced me: 'Except this is not juist for a queen, it's for all us Americans!' Then I wished our country would become a republic again ... and I made these pictures of the two hour during Parade. Missed one thing: a band! So I got Glenn Millers band to play along!
Happy Fourth of July to all of you!

July 3rd: Fairbanks back to Wasilla

Hiway nr 3: Fairbanks - Nenana (Celebrations, Bike race, egg running, for me a great hamburger at Bobs place) - roads - rain - clouds - sun - clouds - roadworks - panoramaviews - roads - trucklanes - Hurricane Gorge - roads - Talkeetna (clouds, no flying, yes cappucino and newspaper with Dutch slashes Brazil) - and back to Mark and Sheila. Flowers in the cabin ... wow!

July 2nd, Goodbye to Vicky and Dan

Friday afternoon: shop closed, Dan and Vicky had everything ready to spend the 4th of July weekend together in their great Cabin. I could stay another night in their Fairbanks house. Mechanic Brian made a salmon meal for us on the bbq. Very special to meet Vicky, Dan and their (work) family plus dogs so close ... I hope they can spend some time with Cecilia and me in Holland. I would be honored!

July 1-2 Night at the cabin

Dan invited me to join me for a ride in the pickup to their cabin. He had some goods to bring there overland and we could sleep there also. Instead of 10minutes flying, it took us almost 90 minutes to get there. After Pleasant Farm it was just tracks. The last part Dan needed an ATV to get the things over. For that time I was left alone in the wilderness, comforted by the can of BearSpray Vicky had given me.
Anyhow I slept real well. Dan got us a steak+ eggs + toast  breakfast. It had been raining during the night. So the intended job of runway grass cutting had to be cancelled. Instead we drove back into town. On the track we met a nice couple of cranes. Dan and Vicky will fly up to the cabin later for the weekend. I will prepare myself to hit the road to the south tomorrow. Hope the sky is clear by then, so I might see the mountains this time.

July 1st, Coffee meet and off airport training

√
Woke up late, had a shower. At Tamaracks Air Service the Thursday morning Coffee meeting was to be held. It was real nice there, like a social club, no work just socialize. So Tricia took this picture of all of us.
Had a chat with Vicky's worker Brian about planes, maintenance, sorts of Cubs, Vicky's great way of working and giving answers then I realized someone would be waiting for me at Ramp6: Clayton Craton. So I drive up to him (never walk if you can ride). And with him I had a enlightening introduction to Off Airport Landings. I did some, he did some to demonstrate and I finished to make one uphill (with Clay's support) and a downhill take off (I guess it was me that did that. In the meantime Clay showed me his hunters cabin and di I have a little time to make some pictures. 2.5 Hours, not too bad ...

June 30th, three days in one ...

Vicky's husband Dan invited me for a 10 minute flight in their Arctic Tern (according to Vicky: "Even better than a Cub') to their cabin. It was amazing: once up in the air I saw a vast wild country, as far as the eyes reached. In Holland they try to revert cultured land to wilderness, here I saw just wilderness, trees, streams, rivers, with small spots of human resources. We landed at a strip near the cabin. We walked and drove around. The pictures we took say more than I can reproduce in words. Flabbergasting ...
At  11.30 we landed back near the house. I made some phonecalls and drove to Vicky's shop to have lunch.

Chuck Thomas, also a SuperCub.org member, joined us to pick me up and show me the Fairbanks Aviation Museum. He is the author of 'Wings over Wilderness', adventures of Bush pilot Paul Shanahan.
And lucky me: had the honor to receive a copy from Chuck himself, with autograph. The Aviation Museum is really nice to see. Of course the Yellow Cub has a prominent place in it. There after Chuck showed me more interesting aviation places near the airport; we saw many a special plane.
Then I was brought back to Tamarack Pilot Shop. Might see each again tomorrow at the 10 o'clock Al' coffee hour, at the pilotshop. Thanks Chuck, for showing me around!

At 17.30 Dan came in to pick me up for the second time. I was invited to take place in a beautiful green 1955 Chevrolet. This had belonged to his father, who died last March, and we were going to pick up Dan's step-mother and join the 'Vernon L.Nash Antique AutoClub of Fairbanks'. The grand lady wished to sit in the back and wave queenly to admiring passers bye. I had all the room in the world in the right front seat, while Dan enjoyed driving the car. Three hours later we were back in the shop, ate a cold diner. I drove back to the house, while Dan flew the Tern back. What a day ...