Wyoming & Montana

Day two we departed early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and headed north along the front range over Cheyenne WY, stopping for lunch and gas in Gillette WY. Later we made an airborne decision to spend the night in Lewistown MT. Along our route was lots of beautiful and varied terrain and man made features including the biggest mines I've ever seen and maybe on the planet, the source of most of America's coal. Central MT was a big surprise for it's beauty, friendly people, and wonderful (summertime!) climate. :)

North to ...well you know...

Rocky Mountain High

Ken with sister Jill

The end of day 1 had us near Boulder CO on the front range of the Rockies. Besides the wonderful hospitality and nice visit with Jill & Walt, we experienced some new aviation phenomena for us with our Maules. The high elevations coupled with the hot temperatures taught us a lot about mountain and high altitude flying. And the capabilities of our airplanes. The exploration and adventure continues !! :)

Seems like we go back in time the farther west we travel

And They're Off!

The Maule Parked in front of her former home

After meeting at the hangar at 0545L and spending a few minutes with media and camera crews, the Maules broke ground at 0630L and headed to SE Kansas to pick up their 4th member, spending a few minutes in the kitchen with family (and homemade cookies, coffee, fruit & yogurt). :)

The Maules then turned NW to the Boulder CO area where we enjoyed dinner, a nights rest, and wonderful hospitality from Ken's sister Jill and husband Walt. It was a great day of flying, even if hot and bumpy at times, and we had a tailwind all the way.

The Crew is completed in SE Kansas

The birds are flying well, and the adventure continues... :)

Two Maules & Four Friends Off to Alaska!

Sunday @ Dawn

Well the day has come. Our comrade is well. We met for lunch yesterday with our wives for fun and additional witnesses to confirm Ken wasn't rushing it. Everyone feels good about a Sunday dawn launch. So in about 12 hours we'll be off on our adventure.

Thanks for your interest, prayers, tracking us, and communicating with us along the way! :)

Click HERE to track Doug & Dwayne

Click HERE to track Ken & Jim

Not So Fast!

One of our members has fallen a bit ill upon his return from a mission trip in Nicaragua, so at his Dr.'s suggestion we've delayed our departure until he's well enough to fly. Stay tuned. :) We're all ready to get under way, including him, but there is no rush. We want a peaceful departure with healthy crews. :)

Tomorrow We Launch

At dawn on the 18th our friendship adventure in flight will take wings! Can't believe it's here!?!

Last minute tidy up preparations are underway. I'll try to post here as oft as there is time and internet connections with snippets of our journey.

Thanks for your interest in following us, your well wishes, and your prayers! :)






   “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:9–10)

18 Days to the 18TH

Well, here we are, 18 days and a few hours from departing for Alaska!! :) I got my permission letter to land on USAF bases yesterday, and Ken should get his any day! :) We've both packed and weighed  our cargo. And our pre departure checklists are almost complete!

The fun and easy part is about to begin! I can't wait!

Ken and I have been testing the InReach satellite text and email devices we purchased for the trip to stay in touch with family, friends and business associates. It will show our track and more or less real time position, as well as, provide a way to send messages or email. You can click here and see what that will look like. Feel free to  play with it now if you wish and send some test messages. [The device called "Billy Bell" will be with Doug & Dwayne. I'll put a link to Ken & Jim's device when Ken returns from his Nicaragua mission.]

Ken and I met for four hours yesterday, discussed remaining items to accomplish, things to take or leave behind, and made spread sheets of our airplane weights, so we'll know where we are with provisions. He leaves for his Nicaragua mission in a few days, so he won't have much time when he returns.

I think we each only need to pack a bag with our clothes and personal effects weighing less than 30 lbs. and we're off! I'm trying to do that this week so it won't be a fire drill. Happy packing! See you on the 18th!! :):):):)