petehowell
Well Known Member
As of this week, the old "ball and chain" and I have been married for 20 years and been together for over 25. 3 kids and lots of fun and some not so fun times later - we still dig each other.
Since the twins start college next year, the 3 week tour of Europe or 2 weeks in Hawaii were probably not gonna happen, but we could swing and few days in one of our favorite places, the Badlands National Park. Andi suggested this a few weeks ago, so I started planning the trip by my preferred method of travel.....RV... I located the closest strip, which turned out to be Wall, SD, home of Yup, you got it, Wall Drug. I was a bit bummed, b/c Airnav said no avgas and certainly no rental cars, but they did hint of some thing called Air Hon. This was enough to get me on the trail of one of the true gentlemen of Aviation, Dave Hahn. Dave is the Mayor of Wall, SD (26 years now) and really one heck of a guy. I did of bit of Googling and found his email - I wrote and told him that we wanted to visit Wall and the Park, but needed a car. We wrote back and told us to come on out and he would take care of us - his truck was available and he had gas in his hanger we could buy from him. Such a deal! We were set.
The weather in Minne on Friday was cloudy, cool and blustery 18G29 eek! But 50 miles west the skies were clear and inviting for the trip. Andi dosed up on Dramamine and was asleep before takeoff - it was bumpy, but not all that bad down at 3500ft. Once the skies cleared - it was up to 8500 for a smooth, cool, but slow trip to Wall(135 kts GS).
The Missou south of Pierre in the late afternoon sun was stunning...
The browns of the prairie contrasted the blues of the sky....
3 hours later, our first glimpse of sights soon to come - great shadows at sunset....
We landed at Wall and as we were getting out, Dave showed up on his Harley after hearing us on Unicom - he insisted on helping us tie down, gave us the lowdown on Wall, and the keys to his truck. Airplane people are the best!
My wife loved the Phone Booth at the airport....and the thousands of grashoppers
They also have tongue in cheek signs for "Short term" parking and the "Main Gate" It is very nice little strip!
We had a nice dinner and a beer in Wall and then called it a night at the Super 8 where we planned our day in the Park.
Up early, we headed into the park. Let the hiker beware....
This place is amazing - everyone should make the trip...
Andi made a new friend...
The colors are simply amazing....
Continued in part 2.....
Since the twins start college next year, the 3 week tour of Europe or 2 weeks in Hawaii were probably not gonna happen, but we could swing and few days in one of our favorite places, the Badlands National Park. Andi suggested this a few weeks ago, so I started planning the trip by my preferred method of travel.....RV... I located the closest strip, which turned out to be Wall, SD, home of Yup, you got it, Wall Drug. I was a bit bummed, b/c Airnav said no avgas and certainly no rental cars, but they did hint of some thing called Air Hon. This was enough to get me on the trail of one of the true gentlemen of Aviation, Dave Hahn. Dave is the Mayor of Wall, SD (26 years now) and really one heck of a guy. I did of bit of Googling and found his email - I wrote and told him that we wanted to visit Wall and the Park, but needed a car. We wrote back and told us to come on out and he would take care of us - his truck was available and he had gas in his hanger we could buy from him. Such a deal! We were set.
The weather in Minne on Friday was cloudy, cool and blustery 18G29 eek! But 50 miles west the skies were clear and inviting for the trip. Andi dosed up on Dramamine and was asleep before takeoff - it was bumpy, but not all that bad down at 3500ft. Once the skies cleared - it was up to 8500 for a smooth, cool, but slow trip to Wall(135 kts GS).
The Missou south of Pierre in the late afternoon sun was stunning...
The browns of the prairie contrasted the blues of the sky....
3 hours later, our first glimpse of sights soon to come - great shadows at sunset....
We landed at Wall and as we were getting out, Dave showed up on his Harley after hearing us on Unicom - he insisted on helping us tie down, gave us the lowdown on Wall, and the keys to his truck. Airplane people are the best!
My wife loved the Phone Booth at the airport....and the thousands of grashoppers
They also have tongue in cheek signs for "Short term" parking and the "Main Gate" It is very nice little strip!
We had a nice dinner and a beer in Wall and then called it a night at the Super 8 where we planned our day in the Park.
Up early, we headed into the park. Let the hiker beware....
This place is amazing - everyone should make the trip...
Andi made a new friend...
The colors are simply amazing....
Continued in part 2.....
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