I missed breakfast, but we were just hanging around waiting for Kevin to take us up at midday. Tasey gave us a message that he was flying in from Omaha and would pick us up at Wahoo Airfield, about ten miles up the road from Virgin Island. DRS 23, Dale from Texas, was coming with us, so we blagged a ride in his truck - better to travel in air-conditioned comfort! We got to the airfield and Dale left his engine running so that we could have some cool space throughout the time we were there.
Dale and his air-conditioned truck
When Kevin landed, in a little Piper Cherokee Arrow, he said he'd take me up first, then Dale and Kev.later. The flight lasted about half an hour and was brilliant. We flew around the area, over Kevin's house and over his partner Rusty's, co-owner of the Island and the Rusty Rooster Bar, in Yutan. We followed the Platte River for a while, before going over Omaha and Downtown.
It was at this point that Kevin said 'See the gap between the hood and the horizon? That's how you need to keep it' and then he handed over control ! Craaaaazzzeeee Fucker! It was great but I didn't want to do it for long, as I was a bit all over the place.
On the way back to Wahoo, we buzzed round Virgin Island a few times. Because the plane was low wing, Kevin had to bank it steeply so that I could get decent photos of the Shovelfest site. That bit was rather gut-wrenching, but I'm sure looked spectacular from the ground!
We flew on back to Wahoo, where Kev and Dale went up for their turn. I had a fag and then had a snooze in the truck, so I missed their return - which was nice. Kevin had let Kev take the controls, too, so we were grins on for the rest of the day. We had seen more of the surrounding country and knew more about the layout of the region than we would have done in weeks of staying on the ground. As far as we're concerned, Kevin Marking is a Prince and it would be difficult for us to thank him enough for his thoughtful generosity and time, particularly as he had to go to work in the afternoon.
We called into Yutan on our way back to the Island and spent a couple of hours in the Rusty Rooster. Seeing as I hadn't eaten anything all day, I needed food, so we went over the road to Woody's Bar and Grill, , having by now got Arley in tow. On the way across the street, Dale saw a poster for the local Veterans Support Group's Chicken Fry, so all he and Arley wanted was 'FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIED CHICKEN!' (shouted loudly and repeatedly with a Texas country boy's accent) which wasn't on the Woody's menu. The two colonials had a beer whilst Kev and I enjoyed a really good Mushroom Swiss burger.
Mainly to relieve stress from the poor 'patronne', Jill, caused by Dale's constant verbal harassment, we left as soon as we'd eaten and accompanied the other two to the Veteran's Support Association Chicken dinner.
Of course, we felt obliged to support the cause by eating, too. The dinner was good enough and it was a sound small community cultural experience for us, but I left there feeling absolutely stuffed.
Despite a bit of physical discomfort, caused by over indulgence, I'm sure Bill, Kev and I managed to be suitably nauseating on our return to the Island, gloating to anyone who'd listen, and even those who wouldn't, about our day's aerial adventures.
There was a great atmosphere around the bar, with music performed by a guy called Kelly with some support from his wife with some numbers. The entertainment was good, the shine cherries were good and, of course, Richie's Apple Pie was great.
Landing - click to play
We flew on back to Wahoo, where Kev and Dale went up for their turn. I had a fag and then had a snooze in the truck, so I missed their return - which was nice. Kevin had let Kev take the controls, too, so we were grins on for the rest of the day. We had seen more of the surrounding country and knew more about the layout of the region than we would have done in weeks of staying on the ground. As far as we're concerned, Kevin Marking is a Prince and it would be difficult for us to thank him enough for his thoughtful generosity and time, particularly as he had to go to work in the afternoon.
We called into Yutan on our way back to the Island and spent a couple of hours in the Rusty Rooster. Seeing as I hadn't eaten anything all day, I needed food, so we went over the road to Woody's Bar and Grill, , having by now got Arley in tow. On the way across the street, Dale saw a poster for the local Veterans Support Group's Chicken Fry, so all he and Arley wanted was 'FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIED CHICKEN!' (shouted loudly and repeatedly with a Texas country boy's accent) which wasn't on the Woody's menu. The two colonials had a beer whilst Kev and I enjoyed a really good Mushroom Swiss burger.
Jill who, with husband Jeff, owns and runs the brilliant
WOODY'S BAR AND GRILL
in
YUTAN, NEBRASKA
Mainly to relieve stress from the poor 'patronne', Jill, caused by Dale's constant verbal harassment, we left as soon as we'd eaten and accompanied the other two to the Veteran's Support Association Chicken dinner.
Of course, we felt obliged to support the cause by eating, too. The dinner was good enough and it was a sound small community cultural experience for us, but I left there feeling absolutely stuffed.
Despite a bit of physical discomfort, caused by over indulgence, I'm sure Bill, Kev and I managed to be suitably nauseating on our return to the Island, gloating to anyone who'd listen, and even those who wouldn't, about our day's aerial adventures.
There was a great atmosphere around the bar, with music performed by a guy called Kelly with some support from his wife with some numbers. The entertainment was good, the shine cherries were good and, of course, Richie's Apple Pie was great.
The stunning and super-efficient Mandy, who was bar hop at the Fest when she wasn't working at the Rusty Rooster in Yutan
George, trying to look cool
Another late night spent with good people. Life is good in Nebraska! .
Ha, ha, ha, only just realised, now I'm writing this on Sunday, that today was Friday the 13th, and I flew in a tiny plane with a stranger, WTF?
Ha, ha, ha, only just realised, now I'm writing this on Sunday, that today was Friday the 13th, and I flew in a tiny plane with a stranger, WTF?
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