It has been hot, with rain and windy. Looks like we might be past that weather now.

Regardless, we are building an airport. It’s SO fun! The crews are great and everyone is taking such great care of us. I’m just going to load a bunch of photos. They say it all.

The 88NV, Black Rock City, Burningman airport began rising from the dust this weekend.

We surveyed, pounded lath, threw cones and had a lot of laughs! What an amazing crew!! By 3pm on Sunday we had built two 6000’ long x 75 feet wide runways plus a 4000’ long x 40’ wide runway.

As icing on the cake, Saturday night we were dazzled by the Persed meteor showers and later a full moon.

Tomorrow morning I get to land on our new runway!! I can’t wait!

I made it to Reno this afternoon! Wow, does that feel great. Purple Haze is letting me camp out in his hangar this week before I head to the playa to set up the runways.

Lander Wyoming was awesome! It’s so pretty, and the wind river range is a treasure. I went for a bike ride up Sinks Canyon, then, the next day ran a trail to beautiful waterfalls, finishing off with a 50 something mile loop through the south range.

On to Utah. I like Logan. It’s in the hills and has bike and running trails everywhere. I went for a ride up Logan canyon hoping to hike to Wind Caves, but I ran out of time. It was a fun ride. Mostly on gravel with my trek. LOL.

And then the rain came.

And then the fog. Ready to go at 6:00am…..wheels up at 10:10am.

That meant I was going to be flying in hot, in wind, and it was bumpy!!

Yet, I made it!

What a blast!

So much to learn, do, and experience at Oshkosh! There is just too much to list. I had a great time, made some new friends, and really did learn a lot.

Ephraim and Justin showed up and we had a great time hanging out together. What a treat to spend time with them!

I decided to fly out on Sunday morning. It was calm, and the weather was great.

The first stop was in Minnesota at Albert Lea. Now, I am in Hot Springs SD. I find that I love this part of the world. South Dakota has many beautiful places and this is definitely one of them.

I’m just chilling in a cabin (with a bed!) for a couple of days before I head further west. Next stop is Lander, Wyoming.

Of course there are a lot of men here at Oshkosh. Some of them say the dumbest things. Like the guy this morning who asked “So, do YOU fly this plane?” even his friend rolled his eyes.

Then I met a woman who flew here with her mom in their RV. She solo’d at 16 and licensed at 17. She is now a CFI (flying instructor). Wow! She’s COOL!!

Most people are so nice. I have good neighbors. I’m heading to the beach for a swim today before the rain rolls in.

Taking off at sunrise, around 5:30am , ended up working out great!! I flew the Fisk arrival with no one in front of me and only two behind.

Landing was uneventful, and I did put my wheels on the orange dot.

I tied down, set up camp, and then went to check in. The volunteers at check in made my day!

They gave me a bunch of awards and sang me a song. I cried. So sweet. What a way to make a pilot feel welcome.

Can’t wait to go explore all of the super cool information and fun things to do!!!

I stopped to see Devious and Mischievous in Minnetonka. It was So Fun to see them in their home. We worked and played and danced!!

Then, on the Wisc! Cha Cha and Linda picked me up at the Rhinelander airport and we headed to Linda’s lake house for a week of water sports with her sisters and Mom. Of course, Cha Cha too! Kayaks, Paddle Boards, a lake boat and a big floaty.

Friday morning early, I’m off to OshKosh! Almost there!!

Thermopolis Wyoming was pretty cool. The airport is ten miles from town, so the FBO owner loaned me a Cadillac. I started at the hot springs, and then went on to the dinosaur museum. Between, I saw buffalo grazing in the green open space.

Next up, Spearfish South Dakota. I really loved this place. It was friendly and packed with activities! This is the heart of the Black Hills and is just a few minutes from Sturgis. The scenery is stunning. I took a side trip and flew over Devils Tower, which is sure a lot greener than I expected! My bike ride up the Spearfish Canyon was delightful!

Now I am in Minnetonka, MN with two of my burner airport team! Taking off tomorrow morning to see Cha Cha and Linda at her family lake house. Happy to get back up in the air.

After landing in West Yellowstone, I jumped on my bike and rode to the backcountry ranger station. I wanted to hike more and drive less, so I chose a trail near Old Faithful. I love doing loops, so this was perfect. I got my permit and watched the education video, that actually, helped me a lot!

Next, I rode back to the airport and rented a car to get to the trail head. I packed my pack and was ready to go early. I wanted to be a tourist on my way to the trail.

That last photo…..yup. That was me. I’m the hiker. I saw a grizzly that same morning at the lake. It was running away from me and was far across the lake. Just the way you want to see a bear in the backcountry.

I was singing, and making noise on the trail…..and then came face to face with a juvenile. I thought about the training they gave me…..don’t run, back away. I did. The bear kept coming. I got out my spray, I kept backing away…..the bear kept coming. I sprayed, and then the bear went by.

My next thought was where’s the mom????? I skirted the trail for awhile, holding my spray in front. I hooted and called. After awhile, I stopped shaking and put my spray away. The rest of the hike was without excitement.

This is my 40th year anniversary of working in the Park. I was probably on a backpacking trip on the very same day in July 1982.

Never have I encountered a bear on the trail. In fact, I hiked 250 miles that summer, and never encountered a bear at all.

I LOVE Yellowstone. It’s a grounding place for me. Bear or no bear, I’ll be back again, for sure.

After landing in West Yellowstone, I jumped on my bike and rode to the backcountry ranger station. I wanted to hike more and drive less, so I chose a trail near Old Faithful. I love doing loops, so this was perfect. I got my permit and watched the education video, that actually, helped me a lot!

Next, I rode back to the airport and rented a car to get to the trail head. I packed my pack and was ready to go early. I wanted to be a tourist on my way to the trail.

That last photo…..yup. That was me. I’m the hiker. I saw a grizzly that same morning at the lake. It was running away from me and was far across the lake. Just the way you want to see a bear in the backcountry.

I was singing, and making noise on the trail…..and then came face to face with a juvenile. I thought about the training they gave me…..don’t run, back away. I did. The bear kept coming. I got out my spray, I kept backing away…..the bear kept coming. It was within 30-40 feet of me when I sprayed, and then the bear went by.

My next thought was where’s the mom????? I skirted the trail for awhile, holding my spray in front. I hooted and called. After awhile, I stopped shaking and put my spray away. The rest of the hike was without excitement.

This is my 40th year anniversary of working in the Park. I was probably on a backpacking trip on the very same day in July 1982.

Never have I encountered a bear on the trail. In fact, I hiked 250 miles that summer, and never encountered a bear at all.

I LOVE Yellowstone. It’s a grounding place for me. Bear or no bear, I’ll be back again, for sure.