And We're Off

Friday the 26th. With 3 other planes out of Chehalis, 1 from Puyallup, 1 from Kent. We gather at our airports and wait for the fog to lift. Ah! Big holes. 10:50 am. East past Mt Rainier, where I find it impossible to simply fly by – got to take another picture.

A few minutes farther the east side of Snoqualmie Pass comes into view. This is Lake CleElum. A lovely grass, Washington State airport, is here.

Our destination is Ferry County airport in Republic WA. Just 14 nm south of Canada. I think I told about the wonder’s of this Fly-In a post last year. They always try to add something new and this year is was a tour of the town of Curlew and it’s museums.

Our first stop, the historic Ansorge Hotel.

The story is that the business started as a restaurant and purveyor of spirits during prohibition. When the railroad came through a hotel was needed so the bar was moved to a building in back and the Ansorge became a Hotel. Eventually it was closed, then in 1961 the owners sold it, with all contents for $5,000. Inside was every stick of original furniture, now valuable antiques. Currently the hotel is a non-profit museum lovingly maintained and manned by volunteers. This lobby has been painstakingly recreated, with all original items, to exactly depict a photo taken of the first owners that is displayed on the counter. I looked carefully and it’s exact!

Each room is an antique lover’s dream. Ground floor is the dining room, kitchen and what was the billiard room now turned into a general store in order to preserve items from the old Curlew Store.

Upstairs the rooms feature original furniture as well as many donated items.
















Stop two was at the Car and Truck museum. Again, this is a labor of love. This gentlemen and his dog greeted us and proudly showed off their museum.































I’ve now flown off, leaving Republic at 5:30 Sunday morning. Six and one-half hours later I landed to spend an afternoon and evening in Carson City with cousins. Here is a quick shot of Reno International. I passed by at Noon and it was turbulent as all get out. Glad to be on the ground.

Left CXP at 6:00 am this morning and landed at Lake Havasu at 10:00. Yes, it’s just an hour from my AZ home airport, but I’d flown 5 hours, visibility was hazy and a visit with family in town was too appealing to pass up.

Watch for the story of the pilot to be at Republic.