Idaho from the Air

Idaho is a great state for many things….

 … one of which is recreational flying!  We usually look for small airstrips in remote communities for several reasons.  

First, it is preferable (if not mandatory) to have little to no wind when flying a powered parachute such as Henry’s.  Wind is usually at its lowest speed at daybreak and sunset, so it’s best to spend the night close to the field.

Secondly, airstrips that are regulated by the FAA are open to the flying public….meaning that we can access even gated airstrips with no attendant at any time of the day or night, and can park the trailer and spend the night on the property.  We are far away from the crowds AND often have a beautiful setting (such as Green River shown in the last post).

Finally, the fraternity of recreational flyers (and it is mostly male) is a very friendly and interesting group.   We don’t usually encounter others, but when we do they are almost always an engaging, friendly and interesting bunch of people.

Idaho seems to have a generous number of accommodating airstrips.  Here are three where we stayed over the last week.

Arco did not have such a beautiful setting…… but interesting landscape.  This was Robbie’s first flight of the trip.

Next was Donnelly, just north of Cascade.

A beautiful, deserted turf airstrip on land donated by a woman who immigrated to the US from Poland at the turn of the century, and became a flying enthusiast.

Loaner bicycles were available on the strip for people flying in for a visit to the area!

Such a lush place, full of wildlife (we saw lots of deer, including a group swimming across the river) …. popular with all kinds of sporting types.

Then on to Craigmont (previously known as a railroad town called Vollmer).

A few more photos from across Idaho…

Alas, adversity comes to us all – especially on long-haul road trips.  A pipe used to pump water to the trailer sink and shower blew out, requiring replacement and a day or two of drying out the contents of Henry’s locker.

And we spent the better part of a day at a Ram dealership service department in Lewiston, ID, getting some electronic warnings taken care of…

While there, we picked up still another new friend to keep us company on our way to the Arctic Ocean.

Next we go off the grid again for several days at the Dworshack Reservoir in Idaho for some canoeing and fishing!