VFR to Russia (In Memory of Bob Axsom)

[newt]

Three days and no updates. I'm beginning to think he never came home after all.

- mark

[Bill Boyd]

I'd go with "alien abduction," but for the fact that he showed up here just a couple weeks ago. Maybe it was a lizard in a Vlad-suit.

[newt]

"If you're really Vlad but it's too dangerous to talk, blink twice."

- mark

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by newt

"If you're really Vlad but it's too dangerous to talk, blink twice."

- mark

You got me Mark

Will continue tonight...

[Vlad]

From Terrace passed Andesite Peak I entered the interior of British Columbia.






I plotted my course to CZML via couple abandoned airfields they are clearly marked with a cross on Canadian charts. The cross over the airports doesn't necessarily mean the strips are not operational. It means they are not registered, likely not constantly maintained and very often are a private property. You never know what kind of gem you can find flying over. 50 miles south east of Mt. Nadina there is Marilla airstrip. It's easy to figure out which way to land if there are no windsock. Look at the muddy banks of the lake easy peasy.





Located on a picturesque bank of Ootsa Lake the strip looked long enough for RV. I make a pass to investigate and what I see? Several people on the ground are waiving the hands. Unmistaken signs welcome to land. So I come and land... The tall grass helped with braking. I was met by a 10 y.o. devushka riding an ATV and a friendly dog. Where am I ma'am? What's your name? I am Zelma and it's our self sufficient farm...

A German organic farm. One of the properties owned by Hans Buch, a developer and a financier. Family and friends appeared shortly. I learned since Hans purchased the land 20+ years ago nobody ever landed at his airstrip. I like to be the first.






I was cordially invited to ongoing birthday party. Paul, son of Hans and Barbara just turned 14. Plenty of guests visiting from Germany I couldn't even imagine I get back to Europe. Homemade cakes and lamb BBQ ribs...




Zelma, the girl who met me at the strip, is a rising star. An erudite with an impeccable English, she volunteered to be my guide.







Hans, the head of family, graciously offered a place to stay overnight. They have several properties and a camper. They said it would be an honor to host a Russian and we have a lot of things to talk about. I was glad I had an unfinished bottle of Jagermeister in my emergency ration.

I secured my Aluminum Mistress and joined the festivities. A lot of untold stories later. Our grandparents fought on the opposite sides in the trenches of Great Patriotic War. Hans' father was 18, my late grandfather 36 ...

[Vlad]

Next morning after a healthy sleep I ran to the lake and took a swim. Man, it's a good thing nobody saw me. Mighty cold water I shrunk twofolds and the hangover disappeared within seconds. The hosts smiled.




Zelma in her element. She will explain to me what kind of animals they have, why they all have names then she will demonstrate the process of milking a sheep.





I quickly forgot the names of the geese but I remembered their hierarchy.



Zelma graciously allowed me to hold a lamb.




Then we had a breakfast. The tastiest meal I had since Russia.





I departed the friendly farm by noon and was over 108 Mile Caribou airport in less then 2 hours.



If you ever end up in the interior of British Columbia and need a place to stay please contact Hans Buch he will be more then glad to accommodate you and you won't regret. He is the man of his word. He is thinking of registering his airport again.

[MS19087]

What an adventure. Then stumbling upon these self sufficient folks in BC, very cool. Vlad you told me this story at breakfast a few weeks back . . .Glad to see the photos. Take care my friend!

[Steve Melton]

Following this story closely. Waiting to hear about bucking rivets.

[PilotjohnS]

And how cool is that?
And completely unplanned.

[jcaplins]

Originally Posted by Vlad

.... I learned since Hans purchased the land 20+ years ago nobody ever landed at his airstrip. I like to be the first.

It boggles the mind that this dude maintained a grass strip for 20 years and it was never used in all that time.