Rather than fill family text/mail boxes with updates, I offer these continuing blog posts while enroute.
So a bucket list barnstorming adventure has commenced. After my last annual trip, which wasn't so annual thanks to Covid, I imagined trying something deliberate and out there - circumnavigating the Great Lakes. I spent a good part of the winter planning for it. The Great Lakes are not known for terribly stable and predictable weather, so I imagined such a trip would have ample challenge and adventure, especially since a fair bit of it would have to be in Canada and over not so hospitable topography.
On Sunday, May 15, I set out with what I saw as a weather window of about four to five hours that could get me to the other side of Chicago, if not all the way to Port Clinton, Ohio. Port Clinton is near the farthest point from home that I'd ever been in one of these barnstorm trips.
Lift off was into a beautiful sunrise and calm air. A good omen I hoped. The trip to the Chicago area left me time to gaze over the Wisconsin countryside, recognizing many small towns I'd visited by motorcycle and airplane. Before I new it, I was at the first stop, Racine Wisconsin. I'd planned that so I could have some down time to plot my first tour of the Chicago VFR Skyway. That's a special route for non-instrument flights along Chicago at a low enough altitude as to avoid any aircraft landing at one of the many airfields near or in downtown Chicago. Complying with the restrictions means you fly a very narrow path close to the water all along the Chicago shoreline. Thanks to the autopilot, I was able to do that AND take in the clear view of Chicago's downtown skyline and buildings, including the Navy pier and other familiar sights.
Things were going so well, with the weather holding, I went on to Port Clinton. Figuring five hours in the cockpit was enough, and since I hadn't had much sleep the night before (too excited?), I spent the afternoon as guest of the Fairfield Inn and Jolly Roger's Seafood House. That last one was recommended by the folks at the airport, with a warning to be patient because there is ALWAYS a line from the minute they open to the minute they close. I now understand why it's so popular. The fish is fantastic and the beer is local (Walleye-P-A?).
I looked forward to making my way up the Lake Erie south shore the next day.
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