We are trekking westward once again.
Our trip began with a delay when we discovered that despite temperatures above freezing, the wings, etc, were covered in a layer of ice. While we waited for the overcast to lift and the sun to melt the ice, the FBO owner suggested we pour water over the ice to melt it. About 4 gallons later, we were pulling up stakes and moving westward.
We were able to fly between the layers for the first two legs, but we noticed ice forming on the windscreen as we dropped down for a fuelling stop in West Virginia. We made it fine, but we were followed shortly by a Gulfstream whose de-ice had failed. He had picked up a lot of ice on the way down and did not intend to continue until repairs could be had. We stayed the night in Parkersburg, too. The next day WX brief told us there would be 70 to 80 knot headwinds all day long. We kept phoning, pleading for better news, but finally took the crew car back to the same motel. The third day, we sat around until after lunch waiting for the icy clouds to lift. Then, there was a break and we knew that we could break out into sunshine after just a thirty to fifty mile scud run. Off we went, with hopes high. Just 15 miles from the airport, the clouds came down and we were into them picking up ice. We did the compulsory 180* and returned to Parkersburg where about 1/8 inch of ice started falling off. When the line guy saw us walk back in, he just put the keys to the crew car onto the counter silently.
Finally, the next morning, we were able to get out and visited the kids and grandkids in Tulsa. An overnight stay with one. and then a dash to Ponca City to visit another daughter and her children. Since we were already late and don't know what to expect ffrom the weather, we flew off this afternoon from Ponca City and stopped in Borger, TX for fuel. Well, it turns out to be another overnight stop. We're trying to get to AEG tomorrow morning. Maybe we'll have to head south instead. We hope to reach Oceanside, CA tomorrow, but it doesn't look realistic.
unless you booked in November. Or GA I suppose!
