FOKM Alberta Bound

[Garry Wright]

We made it. Not many problems, but one we would rather not have had to
deal with.

First leg (Tuesday) was Brampton to Gore Bay which was a bit dodgey due
to cloud cover over the Bruce Penninsula. By Tobermory we encountered no
more of that nonsense and had clear sailing into Gore Bay where Robbie
greeted us with fuel and the airport car. I'm really happy to see that
sort of thing making a comeback. Seems to me in the early '90's that was
a dying ember in aviation.

A front passed through at midnight with high winds and clag so Wednesday
was a write-off. That was pretty much expected so we wandered about,
read and ate. Unfortunately that evening we both had the special at Twin
?? restaurant and got big time food poisoning. We were staying a
Gordon's establishment and I could hear Bob get up every 45-50 minutes,
choking and etc. I was hourly and for the first three sessions chucking
between a pint and a quart each time. The other end worked synchronously
so much fun was had by all. By morning, not-with-standing fine weather,
we stayed put for another day. A run to the chemist for Immodium and
Pepto was first on the agenda Thursday - I tried the former, Bob the
latter. Mine worked first try, Bob gamely stuck with the latter 'til
afternoon and then tried the Immodium with nearly as good a result as I
had. Having spent a lot of time in Asia you learn a bit about the
squitters.

I wasn't bad Friday morning - a bit tired. Bob looked a bit like warmed
over fried eggs but got in the plane anyway after filing for Drummond.
While filing, the response given to the question about a transponder was
"we have the exemption letter" which seemed to squelch further inquiry.
Opened and closed successfully through Canadian Sault. It was a pretty
laid back arrival in Drummond. FOKM is a bit of an eye catcher, like a
pretty girl but doesn't tempt them to do strip searches : ).

By this point our weather is Alberta Blue and would stay that way for
the balance of the trip. I think what we had was called an Omega block
out west with a great big high planted right in the middle of the
continent. Winds were atypical for the time of year and every runway was
a fairly bumpy crosswind landing with up to 25 kts of crosswind at
times. Having flown out of Springbank that wasn't all that novel but I
was sure glad Bob was along as I'm still a bit on the rusty side.

Drummond - Schoolcraft -- Ashland(Friday night) -- Grand Rapids -- Thief
River Falls(Saturday night) -- Piney.

Exciting little strip (Piney) with 20+ kts xwinds and gusty over those
trees. Card pump not working as card pump so we did not fuel up as
planned. Canadian customs was casual. Very quiet. Chatted a while with
the customs guy and carried on to Morden in search of fuel. Took about
1/2 and hour of detective work to track down the guy who came out and
fueled us. All the airports seem dead quiet this time of year. With the
winds, none of the ultralite guys were out anywhere and most everyone
else was at home I guess. We made Carlyle that night (Sunday) - cash
only for fuel now - they no longer have a credit card facility. Stayed
at the old motel adjacent to the airport and for the first time FOKM had
to stay outside, tied down. No wind and fairly heavy frost. We had the
best dinner of the trip that evening at the buffet in the motel. WOW. I
guess they fell off for a year or two but are back with a vengence. Good
value and highly recommended. The room was noisy though. I was woken at
4:30 am by the idiots next door leaving their TV on Much Music - loudly.
The desk foned them and pounded on their door repeatedly but was unable
to disturb their coma. I usually wake up between 5 and 6 anyway so it
wasn't that big a deal, but a bit annoying.

Monday was Carlyle - Moose Jaw - Swift Current. Very slow going as the
wind moved to nearly a direct headwind. At High River that day it was up
to 70 kts from the west. We were as slow as 46 mph ground speed for a
bit so decided speedy creek was far enough. Swift Current operations are
much improved. Very friendly service and helpful. They are located in
the old FSS building and have the big old hangar back in service for
general aviation. Hangar for $10 and an airport car to get into town -
good deal as it is about a $15 cab fare.

Tuesday was Swift Current - Medicine Hat - High River. Our luck held and
even better we made good a gound speed of over 100 mph - FOKM was like a
horse headed for the barn on the way in. Wind on the ground was about 15
kts straight down the runway so arrival was uneventful. All the locals
came out to check out the plane and we got her hangared for the night.

We didn't do long days or long legs but the trip was highly successful.
We were too warmly dressed most of the time - expecting winter and
getting a Calgary summer all the way. Bob and I found we have many
common interests including flying, linux, business etc. We had lots to
talk about and were never bored. I'm sure I'll remember the trip side by
each with the Alaska trip I did in '91. I may have to change the story a
bit on the wx side to make it more believable though. Lots of credit to
Bob for picking the route. I'm fairly sure I would have gone north of
Superior and probably still be there in February.

High River has a card pump and right now is $1.09/litre - best price
we've seen on the trip in Canada anyway. Medicine Hat was over $1.30. I
live about 45 minutes from the airport but would be glad to meet anyone
passing through. Give me a whistle on my cell (403 560 5635) an hour or
so out.
--
Garry Wright
Rebel 068 Amphib C-FOKM
VA6EB
email: wrightdg@ca.inter.net
Phone 403 931 1573





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