Clinton, Oklahoma to Santa Rosa, New Mexico

We woke to challenging weather for flying - low clouds, rain and reduced visibility.  The good news was that the weather to the west of Clinton, Oklahoma (where we were headed) was good for flying.  We just needed a break in the weather to take off.  Over breakfast and many leisurely cups of coffee, Bill & Will continually checked to determine if a break in the weather was coming.  Finally, at about 10:15 am, Bill decided the weather was good enough for an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) take off.  Bill & Will headed to the airport and told me to begin my trek to Santa Rosa, New Mexico.  I really didn't want to leave them as I feared that I'd make it to Santa Rosa and they would be stuck in pea soup.  The below picture shows how poor the visibility was as I entered I-40.  

After driving only 15 minutes west, the clouds broke up and the rain stopped.  Within 30 minutes, the clouds had a much higher ceiling with some blue skies.  

Meanwhile, Bill & Will did some pre-flight planning, filed an IFR flight plan, went out to pre-flight the airplane in the rain, and then departed for Borger, Texas at about 1:00 pm.  They rose to about 8,000 feet and after about 30 minutes of flying, they too broke out of the worst of the weather.  They canceled the IFR flight plan and proceeded visually.  The below picture shows how the clouds were now just scattered.  

While they were flying to Borger, I was traveling through the Texas panhandle.

Just west of Amarillo, I received a text from Bill saying that they had just landed in Borger, Texas (below). 

At Borger, Bill & Will fueled up and stretched their legs.  Then they re-boarded and took off for Santa Rosa.  The picture below shows how the landscape changed almost immediately upon entering New Mexico with scattered mesas across the land.

 And how did I know that I entered New Mexico?

I was surprised when I rolled into Santa Rosa and hadn't received a call from Bill or Will.  They had beaten me to our two previous destinations, I was certain that they'd reach Santa Rosa first as well.  When I arrived at the Santa Rosa Municipal Airport, it was clear that I arrived first.  But more importantly, the airport was uncontrolled and closed up.  So, I waited for them outside the gate and watched the sky in all directions.

I heard them before I saw them.  I wanted so badly to video the landing - I did the best I could "behind bars". 

Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to get a better video of their take off.   

Being pilots, they had the super secret password to open the gate.  😊   I joined them as they tied down N20190, and then as they cleaned up in the airport building (where there were complimentary drinks and snacks).  Oh, and painted on one of the walls, was this cool piece of art/

Again, our hotel cames with points, no fly swatters.  And dinner at the Silver Moon was fantástico!  New taste sensation for the Parks family, posole.  Looks bad....tastes great!

Lesson for today?  The importance of being flexible in a dynamic environment.  Tomorrow's forecast calls for sunnier weather....but we'll stay flexible.  🌞

Millington, Tennessee to Ozark, Arkansas

We began our air & road journey to California by arriving at Millington Airport at 11:45 am Central Time.  Conditions were partly cloudy and light winds - a GREAT day to fly!  Below is a picture of Bill & Will standing with N20190 definitely looking excited.

I had to leave them to their flight planning as I had to start my drive to Arkansas.  But according to Bill, they were airborne at 12:45 pm.  Our plan was to rendezvous in Clarksville, Arkansas.  I knew the trip was real for me when I came to the large Welcome to Arkansas sign midway across the Mississippi Bridge (affectionately referred to as the Dolly Parton Bridge by locals).  As you can see by the below picture, the rest of America was done driving after the Labor Day weekend hauls.  The roads were wide open.

While I was driving through the Arkansas delta, Bill and Will diverted from I-40 and veered north to check out Heber Springs Lake.  What would have taken me 2 1/2 hours to drive, only took them just over an hour flight.  Below is a shot they took of the lake.

As I was rolling through the east side of Little Rock, I received a call from Will.  Rendezvous plans had changed to Ozark, Arkansas (25 minutes beyond Clarksville - our original destination point).  AND they were already there!  I definitely felt like the tortoise even though this wasn't a race.

Ozark, Arkansas is a small rural town along the Arkansas River.  Settled in 1836, it is one of the oldest towns in Arkansas.  Do you know where the name Ozark came from?  In my mind, I always thought it was a Native American word.  But its not - its from the French words "Aux Arc" - meaning "at the bend".  Learn something new every day.  Both Bill & Will said the approach to the airport provided them with a spectacular view of beautiful countryside.  That's the Arkansas River in the distance.

Bill & Will had waited about an hour and a half for me to arrive at the Ozark Franklin County Airport (an uncontrolled airport).  There were only two tie downs available - one was already being used.  So, they were glad to snag the remaining one and tie N20190 down for the night (plane on the left).

 While Bill & Will had been waiting for their driver to arrive, they had been able to review the local hotels - none of which belong to a chain that offers points.  😏  They selected the Oxford Inn based upon the reviews.  Fortunately, I took their word for it because if I'd read the reviews before checking in, we'd have driven 30 miles to the nearest Hampton Inn.  As it turned out, the rooms were spartan but clean and each was equipped with its own fly swatter.  The really great part was the view from our second floor walkway.  And we couldn't beat the price.

Another selling point was being able to walk to a delicious Mexican fare dinner which sported some pretty nice Razorback art at the entry.

After dinner, Bill & I walked down to the river bluff, through an old cemetery.  It is easy to understand why Arkansas is referred to as the Natural State.

Tomorrow, God willing, we will cross another state line into my birth state of Oklahoma!  We plan to leave the hotel and untie N20190 around 7 am.  Here's to having another safe trip!