2009 Alaskan Tour

[Pat]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Did a quick calculation and figure we flew something like 7200 nm in total and 64+ hours. And we didn't even go on the trip to Bettles or Barrow. We still can't comprehend that we actually did the trip. It's almost like a dream. We miss the whole thing and would gladly start another two week adventure whenever everyone is ready! First of the day, rrrrrrrrrrr and "What's new pussycat - meeouwwwww! to all of our good friends from the trip. Can't wait to relive the whole thing in October.

 

[Pat]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

One last thing, now we all understand why Sven has done this trip three times. I can bet that all of us are saving our dimes and nickels so we can go again.

 

[Lonnie Steverson]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Damn right. Well said Pat.

 

[ksandrew]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Ben
N377SB
Thankyou for an amazing expirience it will never be forgotten.
Overall it was a brillient expirience and i would like to thank everyone on the trip so much for all of the memories that i have.
4 solid weeks of flying and 2 spent on the trip with an amazing bunch of people. Thankyou so much for the expirience and the memories that i will have for the rest of my life.
The people at home where watching the blog every day, but dont understand how truly amazing the trip generaly was. I could not thank Ken enough for the expirience he has allowed us to have. Thankyou every one on the trip for the memories that i will have for the rest of my life.
P.S (lonnie, First of the day).

 

[wab003]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

First, glad all of you guys are back safely. Still sick that I had to cancel, but such is life. Sometimes you just do what you have to do. I eagerly read all the blogs and postings.

Bill ... I was looking at your repair pic and wondering. Could you have taken a can of "GREAT STUFF" foam, they have one version for around doors and windows that is more dense and does not expand as much, and layed a big mound of int in the dent, let it dry, the taken a razor knife and shaped it to match the wing surface ... then duct-taped overit, more closely preserving the airfoil?

Could have. Performance just didn't seem to be that significantly impacted. Structural integrity was most critical. Flew around a bit before landing to experiment w/ normal envelope and that was easily maintained. Wanted to keep wing from scooping air and substantially increasing drag. Tape worked for the ferry home.

More progress today!

 

[ksandrew]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

From Tom in N377SB

Hello i am just going to say i have had the time of my life with everyone on this trip its been amazing and i have had a truley amazing time.
It was amazing to see that part of the world with such a great bunch of people it couldnt of been any better. I never thought id be able to do anything like this in my life. I cant thank ken enough its been a brilliant exxpirencee and i have had the time of my life.
Just got home and its been along 4 weeks but the trip couldnt go slow enough i went so quick because i was having such i great time with everyone.
I have just got back and lonnie im drinking red bull and vodka and im not soba.
(FIRST THE DAY FELLAS)
Thankyou for a great trip i have a great time i cant thank you all enough.
Hope we all stay in touch email me at:
tom.shard@tiscali.co.uk
thank for an amazing time once again please stay in touch.
Tom

 

[ksandrew]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Now this is Ken.


We have to be the last ones home from the Alaska Experience.

What a trip it has been. 70.3 hours on the plane, No idea how many miles that is.
28 days in the air.
I just want to thank you all for being so kind to my great nephews, puting up with dumb teenagers. They were OK on the trip. I am so glad that I dont have any kids.

And thank you Ian for taking them on the Glaciar trip when N377SB was broken down.

So many new experiences on the trip. My first $11.00 omlet, Seing a road kill moose on the road.

We made it home tonight, just with a new starter, Went by the Cape and saw Bill's wing repair.

Thank you all, and check out our blog at
AndrewTent.com/Alaska.htm

I am ready for bed, and will not have a wake up call.

Life is a barrel of fun.

 

[Lonnie Steverson]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Ken you are a very good person to do what you have done for the boys. They were a hoot and good kids. I picked at them a lot just because I like them. They made the trip special and glad they were along. I bet they will not ever go anywhere with 8 lbs of luggage again. I think we had 80 lbs of luggage and it was ridiculous. First of the day Tom and Ben and Ken.

 

[Alex]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Tom and Ben, It was good to have you on the trip as well. You are great kids and hopefuly we will get to see you all again sometime. We followed your flight home on flightware yesterday and I bet it felt good to sleep in your beds.

Cheers

 

[Airotto370]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Folks, Now that my eyes have stopped crossing, I'll copy here the AK trip numbers for 10J (already posted on the fuzzytravel.com/cog blog)

• * 87.2 hours total flying time
• * 1029 gallons of 100ll consumed
• * Went through 8 quarts of oil, plus one oil change
• * Number of landings and takeoffs (thankfully equal) ~ 41
• * Miles flown ~ 10,500
• * Waypoints in sequence: 44N KFME KHHG KEFW KYKN KLRJ KYKN KDGW KBPI KEUL KOLM KPLU KOLM KBVS CYXS CYZY CYQH CYXY PAFA PABT PABR PAUM PAGB Atigun Pass PABT PAMR PAYA PAKT PAVD PAKT PASI PAKT KOLM KHLN KCOD KHON KPIA KMFD KFME 44N

• * 480,000 Alaskan mosquitoes squashed on leading edges
• * Three countries crossed, including Wyoming (See famous quotes: "Dog Day Afternoon")
• * Countless belly laughs and smiles

What a trip! No wonder I am still exhausted. Can't wait for Boyne!!

 

[sfaret]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Many times I did want it to end but time marched on.
I can only reiterate the all feelings below.

I love sharing and watching so many having fun.
It was fun seeing the younger ones having fun with the AARP members, including Lonnie. What a fine mix of friends we have.

Thanks all for sharing. These memories are forever with me. A special trip it was.

 

[Lonnie Steverson]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Now at least I know what AARP means!!!! Ha HA

 

[Pete]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Alaska's Aged Rockwell Pilots.......Hey a little heads up. Cape Fox Lodge in Ketchikan double charged both Wayne and myself. Called them and they were aware of the extra charge and said it happened to everyone?? Might call and make sure if they did double bill you that they are correcting it.

 

[Dave]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Welcome Home Everyone!!!

I really wish I could have made this trip, maybe some time in the future there will be another.

Can't wait to hear all of the stories at the Fly-In this year.

See you all soon!

 

[wab003]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Ben & Tom, it was great having you along. Thank you for tolerating the geezers. Ken, it was an incredibly special thing for you to take the boys along. I felt so badly for all of you while you struggled w/ your maintenance issues. Glad you were able to resolve them soon enough to get a full measure of the trip.

not to leave out Addy and Sackey... Alex you have a couple of really great kids. But you already knew that I know. I think all the young people (Mase, you too!) added a delightful spice to the trip. Once they realized only the geezers bodies are old, we all started to communicate on a common frequency. (squirrel or otherwise) Shared memories are the best.

Attached is from the top of the world (and yes, that is polar ice behind us... water on the "chilly" side. Just ask my toes. They finally "thawed" last night ;-)

 

[Alex]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

First of the day!!

 

[Lonnie Steverson]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

rrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[Pat]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

Betty & I want to add our compliments to the younger set that was on the trip. All of you - Mase, Addy, Sackey, Tom & Ben - were a delight to be around. It gives us hope for the future when we see such fine young people out there. Maybe we'll actually be able to collect some of our Social Security after all! You parents and Ken who brought them along gave them a special experience that will be part of their psyche for the rest of their lives. We are glad you included them - it wouldn't have been the same without them.

First and second of the day to everyone!

 

[Lonnie Steverson]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

what the hell pat what about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww???????/

 

[wab003]

Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour

OK, kudos for the fellers at CPAC, especially Dave. Rec'd word today they completed the wing repair on 3TC. Have to let the sealant cure before paint but truly amazing progress. Great work guys!