The suggestions to land at Albany were right on. Had a great 2-day stay at Millionaire in Albany where I paid $3 and change for landing/tiedown (based on weight) and fuel was $6.16. The level of service and convenience was worth a lot more and I will unconditionally recommend KALB and Millionaire to anyone needing a tiedown in the Capitol District. Such pleasant people; what a class act!
Right now my aircraft is parked in transient parking at Buffalo Lancaster (KBQR). Good runway/taxiway environment, self-service fuel, and no tiedown charge (with fuel). The field is very quiet and the FBO owner is away at OSH but a nice, young instructor named Patrick Finnegan gave me a seat in his air-conditioned office, let me use his Wi-Fi, and even gave me a piece of "first solo" cake from one of his students. No complaints at all. Once caveat: there's no access if the field is unattended. I made arrangements with Patrick for a Monday departure.
So my big trip from western Oregon is working out perfectly. Even the weather has cooperated so far -- except for the heat wave in the East -- and I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the great suggestions, gang. Hat tips to
DanBaier and
Phlyan Pan for first cluing me in to BQR and ALB.
--
Joe
KBQR until July 25, then return to 7S5 (Independence, OR)