{"id":7734,"date":"2013-07-28T17:08:22","date_gmt":"2013-07-28T22:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fitzvideo.com\/sky_surfing\/?p=7734"},"modified":"2013-07-28T17:08:22","modified_gmt":"2013-07-28T22:08:22","slug":"a-flight-to-the-city-of-the-white-haired-one-by-brian-fitzgerald","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/2013\/07\/28\/a-flight-to-the-city-of-the-white-haired-one-by-brian-fitzgerald\/","title":{"rendered":"A Flight to “The City of The White Haired One” by Brian FitzGerald"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pawhuska<\/a> – White Haired Chief of The Osage<\/h4>\n

While scanning<\/strong> the map for interesting destinations,<\/strong> a town with the name\u00a0“Pawhuska”<\/em> caught my attention<\/strong>. It is a town in Oklahoma<\/strong> within my Ultralight Range<\/strong> AND it has an airport<\/strong> – prime elements<\/strong> for a Surfin’ Safari!<\/strong> The town was named after an 18th Century Chief<\/strong> of the Osage Indians<\/strong>. It is definitely the type of place I like<\/strong> to visit<\/strong>. The only<\/strong>\u00a0downside<\/strong> was that the airport is 3.8 miles from town<\/strong> and there is no gas<\/strong>\u00a0available on the field. Walking into town<\/strong> is one of the charming aspects<\/strong> of my Ultralight Adventures<\/strong> but thus far I had not needed<\/strong> to make a walking trip<\/strong> of that distance<\/strong>. The walk<\/strong> itself was\u00a0not<\/strong> the main issue<\/strong> but when carrying two gas containers<\/strong> on the trip back, packing<\/strong> them<\/strong> nearly 4 miles<\/strong> would be a true test of endurance<\/strong>. I was prepared<\/strong> to do this if necessary<\/strong>, though.<\/p>\n

Due Diligence<\/h4>\n

Steeds Of A Different Breed<\/h4>\n

Just before taking off<\/strong> at dawn I took the two shots<\/strong> below so you can see why I call it Selby Aerodrome and Stables<\/strong>. It’s all about ridin’<\/span>!<\/p>\n

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Airplane And Horse Stalls<\/p><\/div>\n

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Just after sunrise I pass Mulvane, Kansas<\/strong><\/a>. Just to see what would happen, I tried this shot into the sun. Not bad.<\/p><\/div>\n

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South of Mulvane<\/strong> I cut across the Arkansas River<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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There were two<\/strong> of these little buildings<\/strong> off by themselves. I have no idea what they are.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This enterprise<\/strong> seems to be taking old boilers or tanks<\/strong> and cutting<\/strong> them in half for livestock houses<\/strong>. I shot<\/strong> this under my right wing<\/strong>. I’m looking West<\/strong> from about 100′ AGL<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Moments after taking the first shot I took this one off my port bow<\/strong> looking Southeast<\/strong>. I didn’t see any animals but I would suspect this is for pigs.<\/p><\/div>\n

Winfield, Kansas<\/a> – Home Of The Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival<\/a><\/h4>\n

I had noticed<\/strong> when charting<\/strong> my course that it went right over Winfield<\/strong>. At the beginning<\/strong> of the trip I was cruising<\/strong> so low<\/strong> I forgot about it until I noticed signs<\/strong> of civilization. When charting<\/strong> the course<\/strong> I figured I could trace<\/strong> the river through town<\/strong> but, now on point, I climbed a bit to make sure this would be prudent<\/strong>. If it didn’t look good<\/strong>, I would circumnavigate<\/strong> the town to the West<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Winfield<\/strong> From 300′ AGL Looking Due South<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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As hoped, there was a good corridor<\/strong> on the West<\/strong> edge of town and I flew over it.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Winfield Fairgrounds<\/p><\/div>\n

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Winfield in the Rising Sun<\/p><\/div>\n

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Now leaving the Southwest<\/strong> edge of town, Highland Cemetary<\/strong> is seen ahead, West<\/strong> of my path.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A beautiful scene<\/strong> about 5 miles Southeast<\/strong> of Winfield<\/strong>. In wooded<\/strong> areas like this I thread<\/strong> between the meadows<\/strong>\u00a0so I have a place to land<\/strong> in case the engine quits<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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50′ AGL Looking South Southwest<\/p><\/div>\n

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Still fairly early, my shadow dances<\/strong> along a ridge.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Suddenly I cross over these interesting rock patterns<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This area looks like a “non-mechanized”<\/em> rock quarry from way back.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Again, the change is sudden<\/strong>. This long gradual rise<\/strong> forced me to add power to maintain<\/strong> the same altitude<\/strong> above the ground.<\/p><\/div>\n

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At the top of the rise<\/strong> was this hay field<\/strong>. The tractor<\/strong> was unoccupied<\/strong> even though it looked to be in action<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Wide Open Spaces!<\/h4>\n

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Just The Place For The Wild Cousins Of The Corral-Mates I Had Left Behind!<\/h4>\n
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This series<\/strong> will show wild mustangs<\/strong> running toward<\/span> my plane and then under it. In my encounters<\/strong> with these marvelous beasts<\/strong> I get the impression they don’t look up much. They never<\/strong> seem to notice<\/strong> me.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a> \u00a0 \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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After a convergence<\/strong> lasting less than a minute<\/strong>, the herd heads West<\/strong> under my right wing<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A “GlennView”<\/em><\/a> shot of the rolling plateaus<\/strong> in this area of Northern Oklahoma<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Time To Look At The Map<\/h4>\n

Flying by GPS<\/strong> is child’s play it is so simple – just follow the arrow<\/strong>. Flying as low<\/strong> as I do, though, does not allow<\/strong> me to see<\/strong> very far ahead<\/strong>.\u00a0Occasionally\u00a0I like to land<\/strong> and look<\/strong> at the map. It is also a time to stretch the legs<\/strong> and take in the magnificent solitude<\/strong> of the prairie<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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I spied a ground path<\/strong> below my air path<\/strong> and decided it would be an excellent<\/strong> landing strip<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Another good reason<\/strong> for landing<\/strong> is to take photos<\/strong> of my prized steed<\/strong> in majestic<\/strong> surroundings<\/strong> appropriate to its breed. You might note that the plane is turned away from the direction of travel<\/strong>. I did this because the wind<\/strong> was about 15 mph on the ground and I did not want it to “buck”<\/em> on me while I walked away from it. It stays on the ground<\/strong> better with the tail into the wind<\/strong> than with the nose into it.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking Southeast<\/p><\/div>\n

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This shot is going on my wall.<\/p><\/div>\n

Short Leg Left<\/h4>\n

I only had about 8 miles<\/strong> to Pawhuska<\/strong>. When I landed, the wind<\/strong> on the surface was about 15 mph<\/strong>. The possibility<\/strong> it would get higher<\/strong> occurred to me. I figured I better get going. So after turning the nose<\/strong> back into the wind, I started the trusty<\/strong> Rotax<\/strong><\/a> and strapped in. While making last minute checks<\/strong> prior to takeoff<\/strong> I noticed the different tracks<\/strong> in the dust<\/strong> of the road ahead of me. With the motor running<\/strong> I did not want to get out of the seat but I really wanted the picture so I shot it sitting in the plane. The variety of impressions<\/strong>\u00a0in the dirt tells an interesting<\/strong> story of recent history<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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My Ultralight tire track<\/strong> is at the top. Also, I see 4 wheeler<\/strong>, deer<\/strong>, cattle<\/strong> and horse tracks<\/strong> – all on the same trail<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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After takeoff there was another plateau<\/strong> to climb over…<\/p><\/div>\n

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…at the top of which I sighted Bluestem Lake<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0Northwest<\/strong> of Pawhuska<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Interesting Surface Patterns<\/h4>\n

In many places<\/strong> I have flown over out here on The Great Plains<\/strong><\/a> I am treated<\/strong> to the sights similar <\/strong>to those featured in the next series<\/strong>. Just under the surface<\/strong> is flat rock<\/strong> which fractures<\/strong> in interesting patterns<\/strong>. There is enough soil<\/strong> for\u00a0vegetation<\/strong>\u00a0to grow which varies<\/strong> with the fracturing<\/strong> and produces<\/strong> these interesting patterns<\/strong>. \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Final Stretch<\/h4>\n

After passing over<\/strong> the plateau flats<\/strong> I could see the Pawhuska Water Tower<\/strong> at the top of a forested ridge<\/strong>. I gained some altitude to pass over it. Although I could not see the town of Pawhuska<\/strong>, I knew the water tower<\/strong> would be in the city limits<\/strong>. As soon as I got to the top of the ridge<\/strong> I would look for the airport<\/strong> and The Elk’s Lodge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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At the foot to the North<\/strong> of the Pawhuska Ridge<\/strong> was this attractive meadow.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Water Tower Means “Town”<\/p><\/div>\n

Pawhuska, Oklahoma From The Air<\/h4>\n
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The water tower is in a park.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking South<\/strong> through the center<\/strong> of Pawhuska<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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1,000′ AGL Looking Southwest<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The American Flag<\/strong> is a predominant figure<\/strong> in all the small towns<\/strong> I visit. Pawhuska’s Flag<\/strong> is larger than most. This appears to be a Veteran’s Memorial<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This is from 1,100′ AGL looking North<\/strong>. While finishing my encirclement<\/strong> of the town, something “out of place”<\/em> catches my eye on the West Side<\/strong> of the city…<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0Fire!<\/h4>\n

I did not walk<\/strong> to this location while on the ground<\/strong> but I looked on the web<\/strong>\u00a0after returning home to learn<\/strong>\u00a0about the fire<\/strong>. This smoking ruin had been the Historic Benson Warehouse<\/strong> until a fire<\/strong> engulfed it in the early evening hours<\/strong> of Wednesday, 10 July 13<\/strong>. Even though I flew over it the\u00a0Friday after,<\/strong> it was still smoldering<\/strong>. \"\"<\/a> \u00a0 \"\"<\/a> \u00a0 \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Downtown Pawhuska<\/strong>. Ground level shots<\/em> of this area are forthcoming. 1,100′ AGL<\/strong> looking North<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I think this is a retirement home<\/strong>. It is South<\/strong> of the Elk’s Lodge<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The best I can determine is that this is the Lower Illinois River<\/strong> passing under the Highway 60 \/ 6th Street Bridge<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Landing Recon<\/h4>\n

The pictures<\/strong> below feature my landing spot – The Elk’s Lodge<\/strong> parking lot. They said I could land there or the Soccer Field<\/strong> to the South<\/strong> of it. The two photos<\/strong> below were taken at 1,200′ AGL<\/strong> before I circled<\/strong> down to get a closer look<\/strong> at the prospective “landing strip”<\/em>. In the wide shot you can see both<\/strong> Pawhuska Municipal<\/strong> near the top left of the shot just right<\/strong> of the highway<\/strong> and The Elk’s Lodge<\/strong> which is the yellow building<\/strong> with the white roof<\/strong>. Although an excellent airport<\/strong>, you can see how much further I would have had to walk<\/strong> from the Muni<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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The Elk’s Lodge and Soccer Field<\/strong> are toward the center of the shot to the right (North) of Highway 60<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Telephoto: The Elk’s Lodge<\/strong> & Soccer Field<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Decision Time<\/h4>\n

Even though Google Earth’s satellite pictures<\/strong> are a fine<\/strong> and wonderful thing<\/strong>, the free version I use has resolution<\/strong> that only<\/strong> goes so far<\/strong>. Now hovering<\/strong> over the site myself<\/strong>, my “baby blues”<\/em>\u00a0could see the Soccer Field<\/strong> was not<\/strong> optimal<\/strong> because it had a dirt surface. When possible I avoid<\/strong>\u00a0landing on<\/strong>\u00a0dirt<\/strong> as my landing gear can throw rocks<\/strong> into the propeller<\/strong> and knick it<\/strong> up. Also, it<\/strong> was close<\/strong> to the highway<\/strong> and had power lines<\/strong> at both ends<\/strong>. The parking lot<\/strong> appeared<\/span><\/em> to have power lines<\/strong> only<\/em><\/span> on its South<\/strong> end. If I couldn’t stop in time, I would be able to roll under them without a problem.<\/p>\n

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Wire<\/strong> at the North End<\/strong>, too! (MXL<\/strong> tied “tail into the wind”)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking East<\/p><\/div>\n

It Pays To Pay Attention<\/h4>\n

Previously I mentioned that the parking lot<\/strong> was\u00a0chosen<\/strong> because it appeared<\/strong> to have wires only<\/strong> on its South end<\/strong>. That proved to be false. On final approach, about 500 yards out, I noticed the wire you see in these two pictures extending across the North End<\/strong> of the parking lot. I had plenty of time<\/strong> to forget the whole thing and fly over<\/strong> to Pawhuska Municipal<\/strong> but I know my MXL<\/strong> quite well.This was still more than enough runway<\/strong> particularly with the 15+ mph headwind<\/strong>. So, instead of skimming<\/strong> over the chain link fence<\/strong> and touching down at the beginning<\/strong> of the parking lot<\/strong>, I extended<\/strong> enough to ease over<\/strong> the single strand wire<\/strong> and set down toward the middle<\/strong> of it. I came to a stop<\/strong> in the grass off the South End <\/strong>of the parking lot, turned and taxied back to the spot you see above and “staked her down”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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By the size of the American Flag<\/strong> I showed you in the aerial photos, I knew Pawhuska<\/strong> would be a place where it is revered<\/strong>. This sign out front of the Elk’s Lodge confirmed my thoughts<\/strong>. I suspect The Elks<\/strong> are also outright donors<\/strong> or, at least, part of a town coalition<\/strong> that pays to keep the large flag<\/strong> I saw from the air in excellent condition<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Time To Walk The Town<\/h4>\n
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Anybody that has a Stone Building<\/strong> like this can’t be All Bad<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Chamber<\/strong><\/a> also houses itself in an attractive Stone Edifice<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This beautiful statue scene<\/strong> graces the grass next to The Chamber Office<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Man, I am in my element! Yet another fine Stone Building<\/strong>, this one the City Hall<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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“Okie”<\/em> has always been a term of endearment<\/strong> in my lexicon. While “Kansas Cowboy”<\/em> drifts off the tongue a little smoother, the land I had just flown over<\/strong> surely warrants this fine tribute to “The Cowboys of The Land of Red Dirt”<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I did not see a plaque regarding these. From my Boy Scout days<\/strong> it seems to me these must be representations of Osage Indian beadwork belts<\/strong>. The colors of the beads and the symbols used were a means<\/strong> of communication<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This was on the wall of a building downtown<\/strong>. The quality<\/strong> is such that I think it deserves<\/strong> a rehabilitation<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Another excellent statue. This one is an Osage Brave<\/strong> taking coup<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This building<\/strong> at the corner of Osage and Main<\/strong> seems to be unoccupied at the moment. It has a very classy look about it.<\/p><\/div>\n

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That’s the solid look<\/strong> you want for a bank<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Pawhuska Ground Wandering Complete<\/h4>\n

The temperature was close to 100 degrees<\/strong> and I had been walking<\/strong> around town non-stop<\/strong> since I landed after a two and a half hour flight<\/strong>. I headed back to the Shamrock Gas Station<\/strong> seen below to get some gas<\/strong> and head back to my plane. The proprietor<\/strong> had agreed to let me leave my gas containers<\/strong> there while I walked around town. Before fueling<\/strong> up I drank<\/strong> about 3 bottles of the Cranberry-Grape juice<\/strong> I like.<\/p>\n

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While walking back to The Elk’s Lodge<\/strong> I saw these strange mounds<\/strong> in the ditch beside Highway 60<\/strong>. After describing them to my Buddy Doug Moler<\/strong>, he says they are crawdad mounds<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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After fueling<\/strong> up and stowing<\/strong> my tie downs I was ready<\/strong> for takeoff<\/strong>. The wind was steady at 12 mph<\/strong>\u00a0out of the South<\/strong> (see flag above)<\/em>. I was airborne<\/strong> by about the ninth yellow line<\/strong>\u00a0seen in front of the plane. I passed over<\/strong> the power line ahead with at least<\/span> 30 feet to spare<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Right after takeoff<\/strong> I swung\u00a0West<\/strong> about 150 degrees<\/strong> to see Bluestem Lake<\/strong> again. I decide to depart<\/strong> from my general heading for a few minutes<\/strong> to take a closer look<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Because the river has been dammed<\/strong> to form the lake, this interesting waterfall area<\/strong> on the East<\/strong> side of it is now exposed to view.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A lot of fun<\/strong> going on down there.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking Northwest<\/strong> from 1,200′ AGL<\/strong> at the Northwest<\/strong> corner of the lake<\/strong> and parts beyond. I have one more slight detour<\/strong> I want to make on the way back…<\/p><\/div>\n

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After flying about 20 minutes I see this House of Solitude<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I had not seen this yellow shade of grass<\/strong> before. I like the way it mixes with all the green grasses around it.<\/p><\/div>\n

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It’s time to climb.<\/p><\/div>\n

The “Detour”<\/h4>\n

While studying<\/strong> my map for the Pawhuska trip<\/strong> I noticed a town I had heard<\/strong> of before<\/strong> but never visited – “GRAINOLA<\/a>“<\/strong>! In my book, a town with a name<\/strong> like that deserves<\/strong> attention<\/strong>. It is now on my list<\/strong> of towns to visit. <\/strong>I made an aerial survey<\/strong> which you will see next. There was just one problem…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Grainola, Oklahoma in the distance.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I am definitely looking forward to walking these streets – soon.<\/p><\/div>\n

NOT Grainola!<\/h4>\n

It wasn’t until I was proofreading<\/strong> this story<\/strong> and happened<\/em> to look at the satellite photo of another village<\/strong> I had decided to visit<\/strong> that I realized the pictures above<\/strong> are actually Foraker, Oklahoma<\/strong>. Excellent<\/span><\/strong>! My new plan<\/strong> is to visit both of them in a Future Safari<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0They’re Baaaaaack!<\/h4>\n

…and again oblivious<\/strong> to The Sky Surfer,\u00a0<\/strong>the Wild\u00a0Equines are spotted loping\u00a0<\/strong>across the prairie<\/strong> below. I suppose it is immaterial<\/strong> whether they notice me. More relevant is that I could not bear to witness<\/strong> their passing without again\u00a0exposing<\/strong> them to the rays<\/strong> of my camera’s<\/strong> probing lens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Tele: Straight down from 1,000′ AGL.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This is a long way out to truck oil into town.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Meandering Creek<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Little House On The Prairie<\/p><\/div>\n

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A New Well<\/p><\/div>\n

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I call this one “Road to Nowhere”<\/em><\/strong>. I suppose I could call it “Road from Nowhere”<\/em>, too…<\/p><\/div>\n

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As I passed to the left of this farmstead, deep in the Heart Land,<\/strong> a couple\u00a0waved to me<\/strong> from the\u00a0swimming pool next to the house<\/strong>. They were out enjoying the sunshine<\/strong>. Even though they waved enthusiastically,<\/strong> I did not think it appropriate to snap a photo. The Sky Surfer<\/strong> feels inordinately blessed<\/strong> that everyone he sees out in the country waves and seems to appreciate his barnstorming<\/strong>. He respects that<\/strong>\u00a0and does not wish to misuse<\/strong> that welcoming attitude <\/strong>by invading privacy<\/strong> any more than necessary.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Finally after years<\/strong> of drought<\/strong> the cattle<\/strong> have plenty of water<\/strong> to drink from their ponds.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The camera<\/strong> did not portray<\/strong> this as well as my eyes saw it<\/strong>. What is of particular interest<\/strong> here is the way these folks utilized<\/strong> the “nook”<\/em> in the rolling hills<\/strong> to shelter<\/strong> their abode<\/strong>. This is very wise<\/strong>\u00a0use of terrain<\/strong> in an area where tornadoes<\/strong> are not an infrequent<\/strong> but always\u00a0uninvited<\/strong> guest<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Occasionally<\/strong> after a few hours of flight<\/strong>, The Sky Surfer<\/strong> desires to avail himself of “the facilities”<\/em>. Newly mowed<\/strong> hay fields<\/strong> are excellent for that and<\/span><\/strong> for a photo opportunity <\/strong>of his favorite steed<\/strong>. Here, down on the ground and with the hedgerow stopping the wind, the\u00a0temperature<\/strong> was over 100 degrees<\/strong> in the shade.<\/p><\/div>\n

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An Earth Sheltered Home<\/p><\/div>\n

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Even though it was a little off my path I swung over<\/strong> to see if anyone was stirring at Cherokee Strip<\/a> Residential Airpark<\/strong>. I didn’t see anyone around.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This resident<\/strong> living on the Northwest<\/strong> quadrant of The Strip<\/strong> has an interesting collection<\/strong> of aircraft fuselages<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Udall, Kansas<\/strong><\/a>. Cherokee Strip<\/strong> is a “suburb”<\/em> of Udall\u00a0Southeast<\/strong> about a mile.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Mulvane, Kansas<\/strong><\/a> from 1,000′ AGL<\/strong> looking Northwest<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Downtown Mulvane<\/strong> is home to a favorite Italian Restaurant<\/strong> of Mrs. Sky Surfer<\/strong>\u00a0and I. It is right near the Historical Museum<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and is housed in an old Railroad Depot<\/strong>…<\/p><\/div>\n

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…Two good reasons to visit Mulvane<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Center Pivots & Underground Water<\/h4>\n

As I approached Selby Aerodrome<\/strong> to enter the pattern for landing I noticed an interesting phenomenon<\/strong> displayed in the corn<\/strong> growing around the airfield<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To the South<\/strong> of Selby<\/strong>\u00a0is a large field with two center pivot irrigation<\/a> units<\/strong>. As happens when you put a round peg<\/strong> in a square hole<\/strong> you can see the areas that lack irrigation coverage<\/strong>. In addition, the field directly to the East<\/strong> of the airfield has no irrigation<\/strong> at all.<\/p>\n

Years ago I was\u00a0told there had been a creek<\/strong> running through this area<\/strong>. Many years prior it had been \u00a0re-channeled<\/strong> by the ditch<\/strong> and culvert<\/strong> system next to the roads – but it still runs underground<\/strong>. I think this is evident in the growth pattern of the corn<\/strong> that is not<\/strong> under the center pivot irrigation<\/strong> seen in this series. It is obvious<\/strong> why farmers<\/strong> prefer to use<\/strong> irrigation<\/strong> when possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Looking Northwest<\/strong> From 300′ AGL. The field with 2 irrigation pivots<\/strong>\u00a0is in the foreground<\/strong>; the field with no irrigation<\/strong> to the upper right<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Closer To The Area Of Interest<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Straight Down On The Unirrigated Section East Of The Airfield<\/p><\/div>\n

A Different Ending<\/h4>\n

At the end of most of my Sky Surfing Safaris<\/strong> I feature a picture of the airport<\/strong>, airplane<\/strong>, windsock<\/strong> or combinations<\/strong> thereof. I thought for a change<\/strong> to show some marvelous\u00a0meteorological<\/strong>\u00a0displays I happened to catch<\/strong> the day following<\/strong> the Pawhuska Flight<\/strong>. That day after Church,<\/strong>\u00a0I had no mission<\/strong> in mind but only wanted to grab some air<\/strong> and practice<\/strong>\u00a0stall recoveries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Never<\/strong> without<\/strong> my camera<\/strong>, I witnessed this majestic scene<\/strong>\u00a0to the West.<\/strong>\u00a0I made sure to capture<\/strong> it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

I think of the next two pictures as God’s Unblinking Eye Sweeping The Earth – Searching The Hearts Of Mankind<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

See you next flight!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blue Skies & Tailwinds!\u2122<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brian FitzGerald – Wichita<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Sky Surfer<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pawhuska – White Haired Chief of The Osage While scanning the map for interesting destinations, a town with the name\u00a0“Pawhuska” caught my attention. It is a town in Oklahoma within my Ultralight Range AND it has an airport – prime elements for a Surfin’ Safari! The town was named after an 18th Century Chief of […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,8,10,11,1],"tags":[20,26,35,33,38,36,37,25,39,34],"class_list":["post-7734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fun-flights","category-musings-not-related-to-aviation","category-teachable-moments","category-ultralight","category-uncategorized","tag-airplane-movies","tag-brian-fitzgerald","tag-great-plains","tag-mustangs","tag-oklahoma","tag-osage-indians","tag-pawhuska","tag-sky-surfing","tag-the-flint-hills","tag-wild-horses","category-3-id","category-8-id","category-10-id","category-11-id","category-1-id","post-seq-1","post-parity-odd","meta-position-corners","fix"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7734"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7938,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7734\/revisions\/7938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Before flying<\/strong> to any town I have not been before<\/strong> I gather as much data<\/strong>\u00a0from The Web<\/strong> as I can. I like Google Earth<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0because it provides an actual photos<\/strong> from space<\/strong> of\u00a0towns<\/strong> and airports<\/strong>. Another resource website is AirNav.com<\/strong><\/a>. That site<\/strong> gives you all the data<\/strong> you would need to land a jet<\/strong>. For me, though, what I need are\u00a0pattern turns<\/strong> and telephone numbers<\/strong> for the field manager<\/strong>. Many of these fields<\/strong> have a car<\/strong> they let you use to drive<\/strong> into town <\/strong>but that fact is\u00a0not listed <\/strong>on AirNav<\/strong>. I always call the manager of the field<\/strong> to state my intentions<\/strong> and to see if there are any special concerns<\/strong>. Even though the fuel availability<\/strong> is listed on AirNav<\/strong>, I always\u00a0double check<\/strong>. Because Pawhuska Municipal<\/strong><\/a> was so far out of town, I asked about a car<\/strong>. The manager<\/strong> said “Sorry, No Car”<\/em>. He did say I could call<\/strong> and they would get a policeman<\/strong> to drive me in to town. I said that would be nice<\/strong> but I really don’t like to bother those guys<\/strong>\u00a0while they are on duty<\/strong>. I asked<\/strong> him if there was a flat open<\/strong>\u00a0field<\/strong> near a gas station<\/strong> that I might land in. He thought<\/strong> about it for a minute<\/strong> and said, “The<\/strong> Elk’s Lodge Soccer Field<\/strong> would be OK”. While he was telling me<\/strong> this I was checking<\/strong> the location on Google Earth <\/strong>on my computer monitor.<\/strong> That landing field<\/strong> would put me less than a mile<\/strong> from the gas station<\/strong>. I thanked<\/strong> him for the tip<\/strong>, looked up the number for the Elk’s Lodge (#2542)<\/strong><\/a> and called for permission<\/strong>. A very nice lady<\/strong> answered the phone. I think her name was Sally<\/strong> but I was driving my car when I called and couldn’t write it down<\/strong>. She thought<\/strong> it was a cool idea<\/strong> and said no problem<\/strong>. She would even try to bring her daughter<\/strong> over when I flew in to see this “open air<\/strong>\u00a0airplane”<\/strong>\u00a0I was describing\u00a0(While in town I did not see them but maybe they came out while I was making my grand tour)<\/em>. With this new landing<\/strong>\u00a0option,<\/strong> the flight<\/strong> took on a different dimension<\/strong>. I would still<\/strong> have to “eyeball recon”<\/em> the field by flying low over it<\/strong> when I got there. Then I would decide<\/strong> whether to land<\/strong>\u00a0at The Elk’s Lodge<\/strong> or the Municipal Air Field<\/strong>.<\/p>\n