July 29th - Mississippi River Flight: My weather text at 0430 said to go back to sleep because of a large blob of weather immediately south of me. I put on my glasses, looked at the radar, took off my glasses and went back to sleep until 0530. By that time, I had to get moving, even if I were going to do no more than eat breakfast and pack Wild Mama. The folks of Caledonia have been very kind and helpful but it was time for a change of scenery.

By the time I finally got everything done at 0700 the rains had dissipated through Burlington and I made my escape, planning to make the stop at wherever I could that got me father down stream. I departed and made the bee line for the River, almost immediately seeing the striped farm fields that were so enchanting on the way out to Caledonia. The rolling hills of the area persisted for quite some time dotted with farm land. I was so surprised how shallow the River seemed to be. There were many island and land spots all through this part of the River and I wondered how heavy commercial traffic could get through. Judging by the fact that I saw little to no traffic in this location, I would surmise that it is most difficult if not impossible.

I put airports in as waypoints but really did not use them too much except as a checkpoint for making progress and to have an emergency place to go should the need arise. I rounded the first check point at Tri-Township not long after departure and soon came up on the town of Clinton. That was my reminder to call Quad Cities as I wanted to remain along the river and I would have to go through their airspace to do so. I had climbed up to 2200'. I had thought about stopping at Davenport but all systems were a go and the weather was cooperating. I called Quad City approach and told them I was touring the Mississippi River and requested transition through Class C airspace. ATC chuckled and said that is sounded like fun and to proceed through the airspace over the River on course. I started seeing more locks and more River commercial traffic now. Oh, how I enjoy looking at the River barges and tugs!

Departing Quad Cities, I passed Muscatine and Burlington. With the weather cleared, I bypassed landing at Burlington and set my sites on St Charles County in northern St Louis. It was fun meandering along the River, watching the barge traffic, the locks and the ever changing scenery. At this point the River has a general meander southerly with a few twists and turns keeping me with a nice tail wind still. In a short 2:37 flight I reached my fueling stop and wanted to study the airspace ahead. My goal was to fly past the St Louis Arch.

I have never seen the Arch live and in person although there is a constant supply of photos on the Weather Channel. I do not know why it was so important for me to see it but it was. I checked one last time as there was a pending TFR over the ball stadium but it was yellow, no, what????? It is red! Is the darn thing active? Will I miss the Arch? Determined, I investigated further to see that it was not due to start for another 2:15. I am going to go for it. I departed KSET and picked up the River heading east, calling St Louis Regional to pass through their air space then on to St Louis Downtown. ATC confirmed that the TFR was still inactive but said I could go through anyway as long as I was talking to him. Golden! I was told to report 5 miles from the airport. As I rounded the bend in the River I could see the Arch. I let out a yell: "The Arch! It's the Arch!" as if someone could hear me. I was beside myself excited, so much so that I forgot all about that 5 mile call until I was well past the Arch and departing controlled airspace. Oops. I reported leaving and thanked ATC for the tour. He did not seem to mind that I missed his little call.

More scenery changes and more swooping turns in the River until Cape Girardeau. After that, there were some sever switchbacks and the scenery started to get a familiar look to it as I flew along. I made a couple of short cuts where I could see the bends and twists in the River. I did not feel as if I were cheating myself because I still had the full view. As I approached Memphis, I saw the River go into the inner ring. I decided to go direct point to point, still keeping the River in sight but keeping enough margin so as not to encroach into the Class B airspace. I was down to 1600' now. Once I cleared the area close to the inner ring, I continued actually following the River. I was keenly aware that my river Excursion was near an end approaching KHEE. I hung on to the River until my outbound course from KHEE toward Starkville, MS intersected the River. There, I begrudgingly turned off toward the south east and toward home. My excursin had all too soon ended some 5 hours after it started.  

Off in the distance, and on the weather radar, I could see storms building and I did not think I would make it much past Starkville, if at all. By the time I got there, I was done. Six hours flying, storms rapidly approaching and I was getting tired. I wanted a clean bed, a hot shower and a decent sit down meal. I had been camping for 2 weeks and was ready for a change. Starkville was the perfect spot.
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After a cood nights sleep, I headed out early for home. FL had been riddled with storms for the past week with a stalled front and I wanted to be in the zone early enough that I did not have to fight with the build ups. The air was smooth and cool and perfect for flying.


I had spoken with Vern and we agreed that today was the day to deliver the Aztec to its new home in Winter Haven. We coordinated for a 10:30 rendevouz so I could get him back home. My flight to Winter Haven was uneventful. I picked up Vern and we headed to LaBelle together for the last leg. I was happy to be back home.afA