May 23, 2021 - Day Four, Flight Two
Flying the Red River to Quanah, TX
I knew if I could just get ten or so miles to the west of Wichita Falls I'd get out of the weather and be home free.  Or I could just spend the night in Wichita Falls.  But I really didn't want to do that since it wasn't even noon yet and I hated to lose almost an entire day.  So when the rain slackened at the airport so I decided to go for it.  Because Sheppard Air Force Base is just north of Wichita Falls, I headed southwest after takeoff.  At first it was not too good, but the skies improved as I headed west.
   
Heading north back to the Red River.
   
Definately getting brighter.
   
Looking east as I arrive at the Red River.
   
Now looking west.  Much better!
   
This is really a fun river to fly.  Maybe the funnest I have ever flown.  Just the right width to have fun yanking and banking following it.  No civilization on the banks.  Very open so you can see easily any potential obstacles.
   
While I wouldn't call the river red, it definately has a pinkish hue.
   
 
   
 
   
I'm entering great plains country.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Sidewinder.
   
Straightaway.  The river is getting narrower.
   
Starting to see some rock cliff action.
   
I hadn't fueled at Kickapoo Downtown because of the rain.  (I did buy some oil to give them some business.)  On Foreflight, Quanah Airport had an excellent price for avgas -- below $4 -- so I decided to stop there for gas.
 
Passing by the small town of Quanah, Texas.  Quanah, of course, was a legendary Commanche Indian Chief.   I read a good book about him and the Commanches a few years ago:  Empire of the Summer Moon by  S.C. Gwynne.
   
Quanah Airport (F01), which is on the south side of town.  As you can see, Quanah has some nice grass runways, but I landed on the main asphalt runway.  The actual avgas price was considerably higher than what was showing on Foreflight, although still a good price.  I wasn't really surprised as this isn't the first time this has happened to me.  The old adage  "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is" applies.  I talked to a couple of friendly airport regulars at the gas pump, checked out the pilot's lounge, then continued my journey.
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next