A new lady pilot friend Dava, flew her 182 to Chehalis, our planned meet up point for loose formation flight to Hood River(4S2).
The WAAAM (Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum) was having a special Women Pilots get in free day to celebrate Amelia Earhart’s birthday. Friends had told me this was a great museum and Dava and I were looking forward to connecting with other lady pilots as a group of Oregon 99’s were planning to fly in also.We departed Chehalis, on a SE route past the western flank of Mt St Helens.
Rainier, Adams, Hood and Jefferson were all at their visible best as I led the way, playing tour guide as we were flying in my home neighborhood. Approaching and crossing the Columbia River Gorge can be rough and windy, but not this day. A couple minor bumps then we found calm winds at Hood River, touching down about 45 minutes from takeoff.
WAAAM is everything I’d heard and then some. Huge rooms full of planes, cars, and motorcycles. Many cars and planes from the same era were displayed together. A lot of time effort and planning has clearly gone into this jewel of a museum. Be sure to plan a visit. http://www.waaamuseum.org/
The icing on my cake was the opportunity to meet, visit with, and listen to stories from a WWII WASP. At 91, Anna might be slowed down physically but mentally she was as they say, sharp as a tack. When asked about her favorite plane to ferry she paused for a moment as if reliving some fond memory and said lovingly “The P-51”. “Why?” we asked. Her response was immediate. “It was big, powerful, fast and oh, the rumble of that engine!” I felt it an honor to meet this woman, and told her so. She humbly indicated surprise at my excitement and interest.
Leaving, I led the way west through the Gorge, again pointing out sights of interest. That is beacon rock on the left down near the river.
Multnomah Falls
Cascade Locks Airport and the best route to fly should weather require a “Run through the Gorge” to get back onto the west side of the state. A stop at Scappoose (SPB) for cheap fuel and then we parted company, each heading for our own nests. A very satisfying day.
Wow...beautiful photographs (I particularly liked the one with beacon rock) and a great trip. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI used to volunteer at a museum co-founded by a WASP, Suzanne Parish. She was a wonderful, engaging lady, and is sincerely missed now that she's gone.
Awesome photos and story! It must have been incredible to meet the WASP pilot and chat with her. I love seeing your part of the country from the air as well. So many sites I've been to in person (like Multnomah) look even better from above!
ReplyDeleteA great flight with interesting destination. I would have loved to take part, but would not have passed the physical :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to your blog's new format. Love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe photo of Multnomah Falls is fun to see-now that I've seen it from ground level, I can appreciate it in this view.
Forty-five days, huh????
:)
As Always awesome pictures! I could sure spend some time exploring that museum, cars and planes, life is good. Thanks for sharing another exciting flight.
ReplyDeleteI thought the response to your favorite plane question was the best...the rumble of that engine. A generation of stories that most of us could listen to for days.....good stuff!
Sounds like an amazing day - all that gorgeous scenery and meeting Anna. Wonderful!
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