With the Wings of Owls

[NZCoffee]

"Sugarloaf Key has always been a favorite stop for travelers. Our tropical island has been home to spongers, smugglers, fisherman and renegade entrepreneurs. The Lodge is still a haven of timeless beauty, warmth, and serenity that travelers to Florida seek and now so rarely find."Â￾

That's what the brochures say. but my stay has been anything but serene. My nights have been restless, my dreams haunting. A few disjointed images at first: Fir trees blowing in the wind; traffic lights swinging from an overhead wire. A few nights ago, I dreamed of a ghostly white horse. But last night's dream was quite specific. A voice: over and over again. "Washington. Five miles south of the Canadian border. Twelve miles west of the state line."

I rose early and ate my breakfast of bacon, sausages, tomatos, toast and coffee, and wandered down to the airstrip to take my mind off my troubles. I was admiring a Maule parked on the grass when a voice pipped up behind me:
"She's fer sale if yer interested."



"....is that so?"

By midday, the paperwork was complete. I knew where I wanted to go. Five miles south of the Canadian border and twelve miles west of the state line. And I wanted to fly there myself.

Time to stretch my wings: Leg 1: Sugar Loaf Shore (7FA1) to Everglades Airpark (X01)



I'll follow the keys east until I get to Marathon, then head due north till I reach the coast, the follow the coast up to Everglades airpark.

The weather was beautiful and still as I started the engines for the first time:


Ready to launch into the air:




Following Highway One to Marathon:




Approaching Marathon...



...and heading north away from the keys:


I can see the Florida coast from the cockpit:


Finally hit the mainland:




I skirt around some clouds that have formed:



And under others:



Everglade Airpark in sight:

The airpark is situated immediately southwest of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Everglades National Park. The Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and Collier Seminole State Park are to the north. The Gulf Visitor Center and National Park Ranger Station, within walking distance of the airpark, provide canoe rentals, tour boats and docks for itinerant boats.

Back on the ground. I am now one small step closer to the mystery location in the North-West. I take my backpack, and step out of the plane.

[Alex]

Very nice, great to have a new flight mission to watch out for.

Alex

[NZCoffee]

With the duffel bag slung over my right shoulder, I walk into the Terminal building.
I scan the walls for some accommodation ... Captain Doug House's Florida Boat Tours, Everglades Island Airboat Tours, Historic Smallwood Store and Museum, North American Canoe Tours, Speedy Johnson's Airboat Rides, Everglades City Motel! Taking a note of the address, I pull out my trusty Google Map, and note the location. Walking distance!


That night I have the best sleep I have had in the longest time. I remember only one dream, something involving an owl, but the details slip away as I awaken. After a long shower, and an even longer breakfast, I take in some sites, aiming for an afternoon departure...

I load the plane, and taxi away to my next destination: Placid Lakes (09FA)
Everglades Airpark (X01) to Placid Lakes (09FA)



Ready to go




The weather was only a little worse, featuring patchy cloud, and some gusts



The cars were like ants, following one another on their predetermined path


All in all it was an uneventful journey: Flat below, and blue above.





Looks like hot humid air meeting cool dry air. Or something. I'm no meteorologist.



Runway in sight, small adjustment to heading:


As I approach I remember the caution on the charts: "DEER AND HOGS OCCASIONALLY ON RWY." No Deer or Hogs today.

"Placid Lakes Airport: Always friendly and happy to see you" boasted the website.

The owners of the airstrip didn't disappoint:
"Welcome! Come in. Enjoy a roast lamb, potatoes, peas, and gravy.

"Thank you...you're too kind."

"Would you like to stay?"

"No thank you, I must be on my way. I want to reach a
city before it gets dark. By the way, where's a good place to go?"

"You could try Zephyrhills, I guess. But just a warning before you leave: It's thunderstorm weather! Don't say we didn't warn you. Have a good flight!"

Leg Three: Placid Lakes (09FA) to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (KZPH)



The weather definitely is murkier on the way out than it was just a few hours earlier.




Into the storm


No sooner than I was in the air it started to rain




After being buffeted around at higher altitudes, I decide to fly low beneath the weather.






ATC insists I climb






Definitely IFR


As I near my destination it begins to clear....a little


...but the rain insists on falling






The rain relents as the sun sinks out of site


I follow a Cessna on final




And finally powered down for the night


Stepping out of the craft, I look to the South at the storm I just flew through. I then gaze northwards...out there beyond the horizon a thousand experiences lie...

Contemplatively, I walked across the tarmac, dialing directory assistance from my cell phone to get me the number for a taxi. Looking forward to relaxing with a cool tasty beverage.

That night the owl visits me again in my dreams. What does it all mean? It's time to step up the pace. I'll leave early tomorrow morning, and do several hops before I have to sleep again. Am I flying toward or away from my dreams?

[Ian Warren]

A Poem for your travels NZCoffee

NZCoffee ..... Just Mention 'MIAMI VICE' ... Miami .. , search my music .. arrr atmosphere , come to think .."atmosphere " a land off treats SPACE and Don Johnson , get the tune outta ya head Ian ...
Miami is Jupiters girlfriend or did Apollo push in , TITAN won ... maybe Twice Atlas was ... mmm wait a MINUTEMAN .. of to see the STARS

Damm REASON ! ... CROCKET AND TUBB'S liked fast cars ..... search my music .. arrr atmosphere ,

[ZK-MAT]

Nice series there Coffee, was a great read and awesome screenies. Now, after reading Ian's reply I must make a note in my book ....


Never ask Ian to be navigator

[NZCoffee]

Thanks for the responses. BTW, I'm on the lookout for a repaint of the default Maule. Does anyone know of any (I'm aware of the Mt Cook ones)? Alternatively, I'm on the look out for a Repainting template for the default Maule.

Many thanks!

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE(ZK-MAT @ Jul 31 2007, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice series there Coffee, was a great read and awesome screenies. Now, after reading Ian's reply I must make a note in my book ....


Never ask Ian to be navigator

NEVER!