Trip Overview
Taylor, TX to Lajitas, TX (Dec. 2016)
December 27, 2016 — January 25, 2017
Who flew:
Mike and Cyndi Baker – Gyro N848CG
Robert and Dayton Dabbs – Gyro N747KW
Texas is one of the most diverse, beautiful landscapes to see from a gyroplane. We took off from the flatland of Taylor (T74) about 9:45 Tuesday morning and flew west and watched the terrain slowly rise as we approached the Texas Hill Country. After a fuel and lunch stop in Junction (KJCT) and a friendly ride to town by Mr. Bill, a wonderful 91 year old WWII veteran, we continued west another 130 miles to a remote West Texas fuel stop in Terrell County (K6R6). There, airport manager, CD Curry explained that the the huge runways, which looked like an abandoned scene from a Stephen King movie, were built in the 1930’s as a fuel and crew stop for giant Pan American Clippers that flew passengers from San Antonio to Los Angeles. On our final leg, we climbed to about six thousand feet to clear the mountain range leading in to Lajitas (89TE) where airport manager Robert Farrell was waiting with an overnight hangar for our gyros and transportation to the Resort. From the patio at the resort restaurant, we watched day fade away into night behind the mountains. It had been a long, tiring, fun trip. We turned in for the night.
After breakfast Wednesday morning, the resort provided transportation back to the airport. After pre-flighting the gyros and loading our gear, we were in the air again for what would be the most spectacular part of our trip. Pilot, Mike Beavers, who knows the area well, volunteered to fly escort in his red Grumman to see the sites along the border. After takeoff, we flew southeast through canyons and cliffs of the Rio Grande, which separates the US and Mexico. The scenery cannot be described with words. It’s literally overwhelming.
With another fuel stop 156 miles to the northeast in OZONA (KOZA), we then flew 131 miles east to Llano (KAQO) where airport manager (Runway Roy) provided transportation to our lunch stop at COOPERS BBQ – delicious as always. Our final leg from Llano to our home airport of Taylor (T74) was pleasant and smooth as we touched down about half an hour before sundown. As we rolled the gyros back into the hangars, it was unanimous – this was one of the best GyroTrips ever, where EVERYTHING came together as planned. Thanks for following! ENJOY THE JOURNEY.
Trip Log
Comments
Robert, Are you making the hanger and transportation arrangements at Lajitas or are we each making our... read more
Robert, Are you making the hanger and transportation arrangements at Lajitas or are we each making our own? Mike
1 commentsMike, I'll take care of hangar and transportation reservations.
Mike, I'll take care of hangar and transportation reservations.
Mike, let's plan for 9:00 AM dpt from T74 on Tuesday - 12-27-16. Rough estimate arv Lajitas at 4:30 PM.... read more
Mike, let's plan for 9:00 AM dpt from T74 on Tuesday - 12-27-16. Rough estimate arv Lajitas at 4:30 PM. Will that work for you and Cyndi?
1 commentsThat's fine with us. We'll be ready. Mike
That's fine with us. We'll be ready. Mike
Robert, With the weather for Tuesday and Wednesday suddenly not looking very good I called the resort to... read more
Robert, With the weather for Tuesday and Wednesday suddenly not looking very good I called the resort to inquire about available for Thursday night, as a contingency. There are no vacancies, but Lisa at reservations said that if we tell her we have to cancel due to weather she'll not charge us for Tuesday's reservation. For now, we'll hope the situation improves over the next few days.
1 commentsCyndi and I are available all week and through the weekend should rescheduling other dates through the... read more
Cyndi and I are available all week and through the weekend should rescheduling other dates through the 31st be an option, but keeping the planned dates as primary. Mike
Mike, that's good news that we won't be charged if we have to cancel reservation due to weather. If we are... read more
Mike, that's good news that we won't be charged if we have to cancel reservation due to weather. If we are unable to go and no rooms are available at Lajitas later in the week. Do you want to consider an alternate destination later in the week - Maybe New Orleans? For now, Lajitas is still on for Tuesday, pending weather.
1 commentsRobert, we like your thinking and bottom line, we're flexible and are interested in doing something,... read more
Robert, we like your thinking and bottom line, we're flexible and are interested in doing something, somewhere next week. M&C.
Looks like a great time had by all! Wonderful pictures!
Looks like a great time had by all! Wonderful pictures!
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