Petit Jean 2008 April 25 & 26

[jrenwick]

At this point I don't see any way to get out of here tomorrow, so Dennis Hoffman and I have given up plans to fly down to Petit Jean. Bummer! Maybe next year....

It looks like you're having fine weather in the South. I hope you all have a great fly-in!!!!

Best Regards,

John

[AR Dave]

REASON FOR YOUR BUT BEEIN SO SOFT IS U SIT TU MEENY OURS ONA URE COMPUTER MAKIN UP STUFF EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK HYEAR COMES OLE ARDAVE - - - IMA GOTTA SLIP OUTA HYEAR

Looks like my computer was borrowed while I had my back turned!
GAR's pulling my flying fingers off the key board so I've got to go for now!
It's great flying today, even though it rained some - we flew up to Petit Jean.
Frank & Becky Stephenson are up there with SteveF.

[N2868C]

Hey Dave,

Hate to be a party pooper, but, given the hand that the weather is dealing, we will have to cancel. I just called the lodge and canceled and I will have to accept the late cancellation fee. It was worth it, just to be prepared for coming. We'll try again next time.

Tom & Sandy

[Jim Taylor]

Dave,
Ellen says we're coming. I hope to fly the C140 down from Rogers, AR, but if not, we'll come by car by 6:30PM.
Swat a bug for me!
Jim

[GAHorn]

Jamie and Roulette! have told me we're comin' no matter! See ya Friday!
George

[AR Dave]

Trailer is loaded and we're heading up the mtn in minute!
There is supposed to be some thunderstorms roll through again this afternoon & evening, then clear up for tomorrow.
I've just been flying back n forth between showers.
Scott & Ginger took off about 30 mins ago from Miss..
Paul & Debra Wood are up at Petit Jean already.
GAR's pulling me out the door!

Dave

[David Bengtson]

Dave, Traci, and Petit Jean Folks, hate to send this msg. I'm under wx with allergy, head and chest
cold. Not only don't feel good, but functioning about 60%, just won't hack it flying the airplane.
Wish I could UPS all the cherry cobbler and cookies Ruth was bringing.
We will miss seeing everyone. Dave and Ruth B

[Jim Taylor]

Dave,
The fly in was wonderful, even though I had to drive, and Traci wasn't there. But, the good things (5 mile hike with Scott and Ginger and Kids - wow!) and Old Gar's food, not to forget the clam chowder (wow!) and all the Texan's (and others) made it a great year.
Spring has it's weather, but it was still wonderful.
I'm more than half way to getting my C170! My C180 has a new owner (Nathan Higgenbottom, from Batesville, AR) - he came today and took it away - the good news is that now we can replace it - with a C170! It's really a big deal to log that last hour in a plane that you've spent 800+ hours in!
Keep smiling, we'll see everyone at Branson.
Jim and Ellen Taylor

[GAHorn]

Sure enjoyed meeting you and Ellen, Jim!... and renew friendships with all the other fine folks, too!

ARDAVE sure knows how to put out a Welcome Mat! What a lot of work to do for friends!

Thanks, Dave and Tracy and Thanks to Dakota for choppin' all the firewood!

Had to leave late Saturday to beat the TRW's back home, but had a nice evening/night flight and was home by 10:30 PM.

Great food. Great friends.
Thanks again!

[170C]

Becky and I were disappointed and had TB (tired butt) due to having to drive, but it was worth it to get to be with all the folks this year. We really enjoyed the outing. Dave, you really had some super help from Steve, Deana & Ole GAR. We sure appreciate all the efforts including Traci's. Sure sorry she wasn't up to being there this year, but Traci, you were in our thoughts. Sure do hope you get to feeling good real soon. Thanks to everyone who managed to get up to PJ as each one contributed to the overall enjoyment each of us had. We will look forward to seeing all in Branson!

[AR Dave]

I’m tired of battling the weather! Amazingly I did count 16 planes in the parking lot at one point though. I’ll have to look back at the sign-in book to see the total turn out. I do appreciate all the coverage for Traci! She had the follow up completed today, so we’re in a wait-n-see. I sure appreciate all you guys! It’s interesting where life has taken us and how the fly-in has bonded us with such a great group of people!

We had a couple, drop by, that had been reading this forum and are looking hard for a 170 (to the Adairs I lost your card). Another pilot from Little Rock just bought a 170, all though he came in a 152 this time. All intend on going to Branson.

SteveF impressed my family! Enough that my children commented afterwards, about how positive, enjoyable, and upbeat he is. Steve, thanks for coming and showing us all a class act! Have a feeling you’re still battling your way home!

Of course GAR you’re in a class all by yourself! To those that don't know the Hanson's have come to our house and for the last 2 years calmed my weather fretting and worked hard getting the trailer loaded and pushing me up the mountain. I did unload all the Petit Jean supplies in the one corner of the garage, this time, Gary!

Thanks for all the support,
Dave

[SteveF]

Dave, Traci, and the Petit Jean crew:

Followed the weather Sunday through Tuesday. Jackson TN Sunday night and Monday night in Charlottesville VA. Got up to 9500 crossing the mountains and had a 140 kt ground speed. Got to within 20 miles of home Tuesday afternoon and had to put down and wait until 7 pm to go the last few miles.

Had a wonderfull time in Arkansas and meet a lot of down to earth 170 folk. It was really fun to see and talk to the people behind the forum names that I have seen for so long on the website. Absolutely fantastic scenery all through Petit Jean and the southern part of my trip in general.

Thanks for a great lunch Traci and all the rest for the fine food at the campground, the fun musical entertainment, fun conversations, and warm camp fires.

I must say it was a relief to find GAR did speak English.

Look forward to seeing you at future 170 events!!

SteveF

[GAHorn]

What was I thinkin'! I forgot to THANK STEVE for that fantastic CLAM CHOWDER! (One of my favorite dishes.) MMMMMM!

Glad you got home safely.

Anybody hear from Randall?

[AR Dave]

Randal left my house at about 6pm Sunday night and was home at about 8:30 pm..

Scott and Ginger decided to take one of our cars back to Madison, Miss, around 3pm Sunday. They made it home at about 10 pm.. They brought the car back yesterday and picked up plane. Had a good trip making it back to Madison at about 10:00 pm last night.

[S&G Lynn]

There is something different about every trip Ginger and I make up to Petit Jean and every one is an adventure. This year was no different with an IFR trip in and a car ride out. We watched the weather all day on Sunday hoping it would clear for us to make it back into Jackson, MS, but it just didn't move out fast enough and we had to get back for some appointments we had at work so Dave, Traci and Teryn were gracious enough to loan us a car to saddle up. Got into Jackson around 9:30 to a 400 ft ceiling and storms that had just rolled through. I grabbed a buddy and drove back up on Tuesday to retrieve the plane and return the car. We had a great ride back, but the headwind made the going kinda slow making about 95 kts the whole way, but now everything and everyone is back where they are supposed to be.

What a great weekend though, and we enjoyed every minute. So many folks we haven't seen in a year and some new friends as well. The hike down (and up) the Seven Hollows Trail is definitely worth it and a quick foot soak in the cool water is awesome. Ginger and I had a great time on the trail and hope to hike it again.

Camping was great, and the food was excellent. Thanks Dave, Gary, Deana, Steve, and Traci. Lanny, the potato chip machine was nifty, and the chips were delicious. I am not sure who all brought deserts, but my taste buds sure couldn't get enough.

Dave, Traci, and Teryn, I can't tell you how much we appreciate the car. You have a great family and we enjoy seeing them every year. Thanks for another great fly-in and we look forward to next year.

Best regards,
Scott and Ginger