Durango to Spanish Peaks (the old Johnson Field) in Walsenburg, CO. We rose at 5AM in order to get underway before 7AM because the airport at Durango was going to close for a couple of days for repairs at 7AM. The other good reason for getting up so early was that we wanted to get some calm air. This was especially important because we were headed over the Rocky Mountains today. The early morning air is denser, and helps get the plane off the ground earlier.
It was a relatively easy flight, the air was reasonably calm, only some moderate turbulence over the Rockies. Our destination was just a couple miles on the other side, a little uncontrolled field that is in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, the wind was calm when we landed, so it was an easy arrival. Unfortunately, the wind kicked up almost immediately after we landed, a direct crosswind of at least 15 knots. We went to lunch and when we got back, the wind was getting worse all the time.
I decided to stay on the ground because of the wind. The runway was narrow, only 45', slightly uphill, and the wind was gusting and variable, and a too strong for me to handle in my plane under these conditions. The extra reasons that made it a no-go were the fact that the plane was very heavy with the passenger, gear, luggage and fuel, and on top of it all, the density altitude was over 7000'. Art figured he could make the takeoff in his plane with no problem. So did Dan. Art said he would stay on the ground if I wanted to take a pass. Dan wanted to take off, and made a very nice departure. Of course his plane is a lot lighter, and gets off much quicker.
The rest of the afternoon the winds picked up even more, and we hung out in downtown Walsenburg (completely unexciting), and checked into a motel. Later in the day, Dan called to let us know that he made it only as far as the next stop, only 135 miles down the road (Ulysses, CO). He ran into major thunderstorms and had to land. In addition, his short trip was plagued by turbulence the whole way.
Our plan is to leave at first light in the morning, to catch some calm air, and catch up with Dan in Ulysses. From there we will try to make the 260 miles to Bartlesville. Weather in Bartlesville has been poor, with thunderstorms most of the week, including today. Probably the same for tomorrow, and possibly for the weekend for the fly-in.
Major frustration in trying to order the replacement modem/phone cord I lost in Las Vegas. Lost and found didn't find it. The manufacturer is giving me a runaround about Saturday deliver (not able to do it, because it is not in their computer!). And it's almost impossible to know where a biplane pilot will be sleeping on any given evening, what with the weather, etc.