Paul and Kevin checked in at 8PM on 12-27 from Eagle Pass,TX
Six days into the Great South American Air Adventure, the crew is only
about four and a half days behind schedule. The major culprit was
Nebraska's December weather. Low ceilings and poor visibility delayed
the start of the trip. The overcast, fog and low clouds didn't allow
an auspicious start Saturday or Sunday. Paul and Kevin played Santa
and made thier list and checked it twice during the delays. It seems
each check found a few more items that needed to be added (more on this
later).
The weather finally cleared enough to leave Tekamah at 8:10 AM
Christmas Day. George Babcock and Nancy Gardner, in George's Yankee,
escorted Kevin and Paul on the first leg to Ponca City, OK. They
headed back north to Tecamah with some of the extra items from the
Tripacer. The baggage was too heavy, and the plane needed to be
lightened before continuing (see what the delay did). I think everyone
has been guilty of overloading for a long trip, at least once.
Since leaving Nebraska skies the weather has been great. The plane had
a little wing icing, but not much of a problem. The engine run-in
continues; no major equipment problems, although the tachometer died
almost immediately after take off. The tach was replaced at the first
overnight stop.
The first overnight stay, at Chickasaw, OK., gave Paul and Kevin the
chance to celebrate the sucessful start and helped to relieve the
frustration of the weather delays. Everyone in the bar attached to the
motel insisted on buying rounds of drinks to toast the start of the
trip. The next days leg started a little later than originally
anticipated.
Last night Kevin and Paul stayed in Eagle Pass, TX. right on the
US/Mexico border. The major task was once again to lighten the airplane
and determine what else could be left behind.
Sensenich Propeller Co., one of the GSAAA sponsors, has told us that
the updates will be posted on the company's web page. URL:
http://www.sensenich.com
Check out the rest of the web page too, it's pretty cool!
BTW The plane's name is "Hobson's Choice" rather appropriate
considering the the last 18 months of preparation.