July 21, 2010 - Missouri Breaks: Winifred to Fort Benton

Overhead Winifred Airport (9S7) which is a dirt strip with a lot of weeds growing out of it. The strip is to the right and parallel to that straight road. The red-roofed building is the airport hangar.

There was a pretty good breeze going; the RV just seemed to float on final approach. Although the AirNav comments for this airport said it was rough, I didn't think it was bad at all.

Looking to the south.

The big hangar which was filled with a Stearman and a bunch of other taildraggers. There was a little pilot's shack on the right side which had a computer and phone. There was self-service fuel at a pretty good price so I filled up. The airport was deserted though.

Although Winifred is a very small town, they do have a hotel, and I considered staying overnight there. But there was still lots of daylight left, and I didn't feel like going through the hassle of getting transportation to the hotel, so I took off in the RV and headed back to the river.

Ready for takeoff.

Heading north back to the river over some badlands.

Sort of like a baby Grand Canyon.

These horseback riders were the first people I had seen since Fort Peck.

I looked hard for Bighorn Sheep but didn't see any.

The Judith River looking south.

The White Cliffs.

"It is today as Lewis saw it. The White Cliffs can be seen only from small boat or canoe [or airplane]. Put in at Fort Benton and take out three or four days later at Judith Landing. Missouri River Outfitters at Fort Benton, Montana, rents canoes or provides a guided tour by pontoon boat. Of all the historic and/or scenic sights we have visited in the world, this is number one. We have made the trip ten times." -- Stephen Ambrose, "Undaunted Courage"

Fort Benton Airport was just west of the river. This picture is after I passed it and came back from the south.

It was about 5PM at this point. I looked down and there was just a small building near the ramp area. I was looking for a courtesy car as the airport was a good distance from town. It didn't look good at first. But upon closer inspection, I saw a shelter behind the building and underneath the shelter was a car! So I went ahead and landed.

The building was in fact a nicely equipped pilot's shack with computer, phone, and most importantly, keys to the courtesy car. I unloaded, cleaned, and secured the RV, then headed into town. My brain was kind of fried. I think I was in sensory overload from what I had seen from the air all day.

Home