A Journey Begins

Well, 70L and I are about to begin a new journey, our first together. Tomorrow, we'll head out on a trip to the midwest states, where we'll join other pilots for a few days of fun in Missouri. After that, we'll head back north and eventually meander our way back to Glens Falls.

Our route of flight for the first part of the trip will take us from Glens Falls west through New York's southern tier, to Oleon. A quick stop there will give me a chance to stretch my legs and get some fuel unless I have enough to make it to my next stop with at least one hour in reserve. This will depend on the winds aloft. Then it's on to Franklin, PA, where the fuel is a half-dollar cheaper per gallon. :-) This will also give me a chance to claim Pennsylvania as a state that I've landed a plane in.

Then it's on to Ohio. I'll fly south of the Cleveland and Akron airspaces while staying north of the Pittsburgh airspace. I could just fly right over Akron but this will will be more fun. At Magnolia, OH, I'll turn northwest and head to Findlay, OH. I'll stop there for more fuel, claiming OH at the same time. Depending on how I feel and how the weather looks, this could be my last stop for the day. Or, if I feel good and the weather looks good, I'll press on to Indiana and possibly Illinois.

Either tomorrow or the next day, weather permitting, I'll head to Nappanee, IN, for fuel and so I can land in Indiana. :-) Then it's on to my first real destination, Joliet, Illinois. This is where I'll meet friends and turn south toward Missouri. More on that leg in another post.

Here's the proposed route of flight between Glens Falls and Missouri. If the weather turns bad, the route could easily change. Nothing is set in stone, including time on route and even the actual route. I might well find myself sitting in an airport someplace waiting for storms to pass by. Progress reports will follow, along with photographs.