Update

It has been over a year and a half since we brought the Champ ("Rudolph") back from California. I noticed that people are still finding and reading this blog, so I figured I would post an update.

We have made multiple flights to both Rochester, NY and Tazewell, VA to visit family. We flew up to Pennsylvania for a wing rib building workshop (Pottstown Limerick - PTW) and a wedding (Smoketown - S37). Both were memorable airports for different reasons. The Pottstown Limerick airport is right by a nuclear power plant. And when I say 'right by', I mean that when you're in the pattern you pass so close to the cooling towers that you can see the water frothing at the base and you wonder if you're supposed to be there. Smoketown on the other hand would be a fantastic airport for a weekend getaway. There are a few restaurants right on the field, including a pizza place we frequented. There is also motel/B&B on the field which was quite comfortable. The airport has courtesy cars and are very generous with how long they'll let you take them out for (we drove one to the wedding and were told we could keep it overnight).

From the most recent flight to Rochester, NY.

There was one memorable trip to Knoxville, TN where I actually used Rudolph for transportation to work! Fortunately, Allen did not accompany me on this trip so I had plenty of payload left for baggage for the month long trip. On the way to Tennessee, I diverted around some weather and ended up stopping in Harlan, KY (I35). This turned out to be a beautiful but deserted airport on a small plateau nestled in the hills. The scenery was stunning. I also stopped at Middlesboro, KY (1A6) where Glacier Girl was restored. Unfortunately, the plane was moved long before I arrived, but I still encountered the friendly local airport bums who were very welcoming. Once I finally arrived in Tennessee, Rudolph was based out of a beautiful grass strip (TN08) for the next month. True to the 'southern hospitality' stereotype, everyone at the airport was friendly and welcoming. There were some hidden gems at the airport - both people and airplanes. This included a twin v-tail Bonanza, an L-4 (unfortunately converted back to look like an ordinary yellow cub after the war) and a sweet lady with a beautiful 150 who has competed in more Air Race Classics than I can count.

All in all it has been a great time. As we go to more fun fly-ins, I will attempt to keep this blog up to date.