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| Our big family summer vacation for the year 2001 was also our first big
family trip in the airplane. There wasn't a moment that did not provide
plenty of new adventures and fun. Originally, we had planned on a trip to
the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh, but the weather wasn't going to let that happen,
so we decided to head south to Southern California, a place with plenty
of sunshine and opportunity to use our credit cards! |
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When we woke up in the morning, we were all set to go. Unfortunately,
the weather wasn't. There was a marine layer of clouds at about 1,500 feet
agl. So, we had an extra cup of coffee and then made our way up to the airport
to see if it was any better there. Frequent checks of the current weather
conditions along our route varied from place to place and with it lifting
at our home base, we decided to launch and see for ourselves. In this picture,
Paul and David are helping with the preflight. |
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We didn't make it far. After about 30 minutes, the clouds kept getting
lower, so we put down in Olympia to wait for it to burn off. It didn't,
so we stayed overnight as we didn't need to be anywhere soon.
Here Paul and David are seen in front of a P 51 Mustang that stopped
in for fuel. Unfortunately, they noticed fuel pouring out of one of the
wing tanks after topping off. That's the big puddle on the ground. We
don't know how it was resolved as we took off shortly after that and flew
to Medford, Oregon.
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After a couple of nights in Medford resting and swimming,
we took off from Medford in the early morning hours. We wanted to fly over
the Siskyou mountains before they had the chance to heat up and make a bunch
of turbulence. We had a wonderful flight - lots of scenery and smooth, clear
air. Here we are in Bakersfield, California where we decided to stop. |
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We decided to spend the night in Bakersfield as there is a inexpensive
hotel (with a pool which is required according to the back seat flight
crew) and restaurant right on the field.
So, while the kids swam in the pool, Eric poured over his aeronautical
charts trying to figure out how he could get to San Diego and still avoid
the morning marine layer, the LA smog, the heat of the day, mountains,
commercial air traffic and restricted air space. After talking to a couple
of local pilots, we found our answer at the Hertz Car Rental.
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Here we are at Legoland, a theme park about 30 miles north
of San Diego. We had a wonderful day there accompanied by Vic's brother
Craig and his friend, Mark. |
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All of the displays are made from Legos. |
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Eric, David, Craig, Paul and Mark. |
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Paul in David in one of the airplane rides. Note the clever
use of winglets and a pusher prop! |
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Giant David |
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Uncle Craig |
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Boating |
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After a great week in San Diego visiting with Vicky's family,
we headed back north towards the plane at Bakersfield and surprised the
boys with a day at Disneyland. We got there when it opened and by 10:30
AM, had hit every major ride at least once. From there, we jumped all over
the place following wherever the boys wanted to go, finally leaving sometime
after midnight. |
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The Matterhorn |
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The Matterhorn |
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Sword and the Stone |
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Waiting in a line. |
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David and Goofy (David is the one in front) |
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Paul and Goofy (Paul is the one in right) |
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Swimming. This picture could have been taken anywhere as I
don't think we spent one night at a place where there was not a pool. |
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Mr. Toad's Wild Ride |
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