Colorado High Altitude Fly-In 2005

by Ed Poccia

At the 3rd Annual Lost Stirrup Lodge High Altitude Fly-In, the food was tastier, the watermelon sweeter and the fellowship enviable for the PPG pilots and their families who enjoyed the 2^nd Annual Lost Stirrup Lodge High Altitude Fly-In during the July 4^th, 2005 weekend with Bob Bubba and Jeanie Peters. Their Lost Stirrup Lodge is located along the Ute Trail in central Colorado.

The spectacular high country scenery, while best viewed from the air, could also be taken in from the ATVs, Jeeps or on horseback. Bubbas place is teeming with toys with which to take in the incredibly beautiful vistas that are so much a part of central Colorado.

The lodge also has a game room with a billiard table, dartboard, and official foosball table along with a great room with fireplace and large picture windows that provide great mountain views. They all add to the relaxed atmosphere of the facility.

The promise of great flying through the valley had pilots up before dawn getting their PPGs ready and shuttling down to the meadow about 5 miles from the ranch property for early morning flights. The area is 9,000 feet above sea level and engines had to be reset for the rare air. Jerry Danielle came to the rescue for some of us with his considerable knowledge of PPG engines. The conditions Saturday morning were calm and launching at this altitude in no wind would mean some modifications even for high time pilots.

Mikey Thompson who had flown at the ranch in the past was generous with his time and experience in helping many of us to get into the air. The conditions dictated setting your wing about 2 inches fast to help bring the wing up and then running like a nut to launch. No ham fisted toggle jockeys would get into the air this day. Instead, a light touch and a feel your way technique proved more rewarding. All pilots were able to get into the air and earn Lost Stirrup Lodges High Altitude Pilot patches. Once in the air, pilots scattered into different parts of the valley to enjoy some of the most spectacularly scenic flying they will ever experience. Bubba, Jerry Danielle, and Carl Apodaca went off to over-fly Black Mountain, while Dennis Gauthier, Bud Johnson, Bill Wertz, and Lee Lybrand decided on a leisurely cross-country sightseeing jaunt back to the lodge. Mikey Thompson, Stephen Levings, Ray Loomis, Michelle Danielle and I flew up and down the valley and into the foothills looking for elk and enjoying the sites. Mikey and Bubba were flying Fly Products trikes with Roleez wheels and had little trouble getting off the uneven grassy meadow. Bill Bishop was helpful in using his 4-wheel drive jeep to collect downed pilots stranded over hill and yarn for one reason or another.

After landing and regrouping back at the lodge, we all sat down to a country style brunch. No time, nor reason to rest as activity at the lodge shifts from air to land based adventures. The guests fueled up the ATVs, loaded up the Jeeps and followed our host through the back roads of the mountainous region surrounding the lodge. A picnic at the top of a nearby mountain was the reward for those who opted for the excursion. Mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding the trails in the area afforded others unique experiences not soon to be forgotten.

Late afternoon meant the flying session was to begin anew. Flying from a small meadow just below the lodge gave many a chance to fly the mountainous area at dusk and have new colors added to an already rich palette.

Hanger flying around the campfire and beer tasting, along with needed PPG unit repair and maintenance were the early evening agenda items. Dinners were bring and share affairs that were greatly enjoyed and added to the ambience begun at dusk. Later on, firework displays filled our evening skies, much to the enjoyment of all. All three days of the weekend followed the same dizzying and action filled pace.

Fly-Ins are always fun but this one had a very special cache. The generous hospitality offered by Bob and Jeanie Peters generates an atmosphere of camaraderie and fellowship that lasts long after the last wing is packed away.

Ed Poccia

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