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Well, after getting the wings in the cradle we went out for dinner and celebrated. While there Karla and I decided that we should take the next day and goof off. We hadn't done that for quite a while. On Sunday we visited Effigy National Monument in NE Iowa. The leaves were nice and it was good to just to enjoy the nice fall weather. Thought I would share a couple of photos from the Mississippi River valley.

John, Cool pics and congrats in getting the wings off the jig!

CJ

Hey John, beautiful pictures!! I know just what you mean about a day off from the normal house work and airplane building routine. I did the same thing last Saturday and took the boat out on the lake for the last time. The leaves were just beautiful, and the weather was perfect! Here's a couple of pics from my day off...









I LOVE THE FALL SEASON!!!

Chad, it is good to goof off once in a while isn't it? There were a ton of boats on the Mississippi on Sunday. It was perfect weather and the leaves were nice. We were a little early on the leaves figured we better go last weekend as the wife is heading to Mall of America this coming weekend. (We need a pain emoticon)

That is a nice looking lake your on. Which one is it? Luke and I used to fish some tournaments in IL but the lakes were further south than you.

That would be Clinton Lake. You probably didn't fish this one...unless you remember catching some strangely mutated largemouth from the nuclear power plant! Just kidding...I've fished on this lake since I was a kid, and there are some really great spots for crappie, largemouth, and even walleye!

Whoa! That 'ol Glastron is SA-WEET!

They don't make 'em like that anymore! Too bad really... it was one BEEFY boat in it's day!

There are very few specimens in that good of shape around here anymore. You wouldn't believe what salt does to anything it comes in contact with!

I need a ride on it when I come out there!

I hope you drink beer on it!

CJ

captain_john wrote:Whoa! That 'ol Glastron is SA-WEET!

They don't make 'em like that anymore! Too bad really... it was one BEEFY boat in it's day!

There are very few specimens in that good of shape around here anymore. You wouldn't believe what salt does to anything it comes in contact with!

I need a ride on it when I come out there!

I hope you drink beer on it!

CJ

Thanks CJ!! It's a 1973 V-156, and it's in great shape! I do need to do a few things over the winter months, but it's a keeper!

And beer is a welcome beverage in this boat! Not too much for me though...

JohnR, didn't mean to hijack your thread...

Hijack? No you are just adding to it.

Clinton was a lake that our tournament series fished on but for some reason we missed that tournament. I don't remmebr why now. Looks like my kind of lake.

I sold my boat a few years back. Didn't really have time to use it once Luke got a little older. It was a lot of fun. Seeing yours I do kind of miss it.

I've been goofing off for 2 WEEKS! I'm never going back to work....NEVER! Been mountain biking around CA. Started out in San Fran, worked our way down to Monterey, biked around Big Sur, yesterday biked around Santa Monica Mountains.

I need to be on a permanent vacation. I do miss building though.

Nice bass boat John!!!

Andy, I'm tired just from reading your post! That's alotta biking!!

Andy-

I hear ya on the 2 weeks vacation - I have been in CO for the last 2 weeks - am flying the skyhawk out of KLMO in the AM! Looks like tailwinds all the way home - 30+kts ... which will be fine until time for a fuel stop. Sfc winds are supposed to be interesting.
Chad - I've been boating on that lake before with a buddy who grew up in Bloomington ... I flew almost right over 2 weeks ago and will be doing the same tomorrow. I always wonder what ATC would say if I just made a circle over the plant ...

Thomas

tshort wrote:Chad - I've been boating on that lake before with a buddy who grew up in Bloomington ... I flew almost right over 2 weeks ago and will be doing the same tomorrow. I always wonder what ATC would say if I just made a circle over the plant ...

Thomas

Give it a shot! I'd like to know the answer to that one too!! I bet you get to see an F-16 or two up close and personal air to air! Take some pics!

BTW...Skyhawk?? Where's the 170?

The 170 is nestled snug in the hangar ... she has a climb prop and only cruises 95-100mph or so. I don't have a good handle on fuel burn yet and it also has limited range (35 gal or so usable). Plus, I'm not comfortable enough yet with strong x-winds (I have flown in 10kts or so but not more) - to be honest, I'm really not that excited about flying the skyhawk halfway across the country tomorrow with sfc winds 20+ with gusts near 30. Not my cup of tea even when aligned with the runway - nosewheel or not!!

I'll think about the circling ... I'll probably be tired and wanna get home.
Plus, GA has had enough news in the last 24 hours!

Thomas