The spirit of adventure is still alive and well in America! What I’m feeling right now, must have been in years past similar to the excitement folks felt about the aviation exploits of Amelia Earhart. I get such a thrill from following the progress of Arty Trost as she continues her aerial odyssey from Sandy, OR to Lakeland, FL. I just finished reading Arty’s first post since she began her flight…again. She writes so well that you can practically feel the cold and see the drifting clouds and majestic mountains. I swear I can smell the coffee at the FBO’s she stopped at! Continue the flight with Arty by reading her latest post and watch her progress on SPOT. Fly safe, my friend!
March 31, 2009
March 30, 2009
Ultralight Adventurer crosses into California
Arty Trost and her Maxair Drifter
Arty Trost is currently near Montague, CA – northwest of Mt. Shasta. I haven’t heard from her since Saturday, but she told me that she will post messages to her blog and reply to e-mail as weather, Internet connections and time allow. Bob Comperini posted a message for Arty on her blog today. I’ll post updates when I receive them.
March 29, 2009
Arty’s flight plan
Arty’s on her way
At 1827 EDT, Arty’s position was directly over Interstate 5/Route 99, north of Springfield, OR. For her coordinates and to follow her flight, link to SPOT. For more information about Arty’s Ultimate Ultralight Adventure, click on these links:
Arty’s Ultimate Ultralight Adventure
I will post updates periodically. To have the latest news e-mailed to you when it’s posted, please subscribe to this blog.
March 28, 2009
Arty Trost on the wing to Florida
Arty flying the Oregon coast.
In my previous article “Arty’s 2009 Ultimate Ultralight Adventure” [7 February 2009] I announced my friend’s marathon flight from Sandy, Oregon, to Lakeland, Florida, and back. Check out her blog and SPOT for her latest news and location. Arty called me this morning and although back home today packing, she’ll drive back to her plane and resume the trip. Confused? Here’s why her flight plan changed:
“I think most, but perhaps not all of you know that I’m about to take off on a mega-flight in my Drifter, flying from Sandy Oregon to Sun n Fun, round trip. Randy Simpson, a good friend and Carrera pilot will be making the flight with me, and lots of other pilots are chiming in about joining us for part of the flight.
“We are scheduled to leave Sunday, March 30. I was in my hangar yesterday, (Thursday) getting packed, when another pilot stopped by and pointed out that the weather forecast was for rain starting Friday night and continuing non-stop until next Tuesday or Wednesday. That’s what I was afraid of when I first began planning this flight – not being able to get out of northwestern Oregon during March or even early April.
“I looked out at the perfect blue sky and thought: “Right now is great flying weather.” I’m a great believer in taking advantage of the moment. So I called Norm and asked: “Honey, could you skip your meeting tonight and drive down to Lebanon and pick me up?” When he asked what the heck I was talking about, I explained that if I left right away and flew south to Lebanon – about 70 miles – I’d be pretty much out of the forecast rain storms. Since I had a work commitment on Friday that I absolutely couldn’t walk away from, I figured that I’d leave the Drifter at the Lebanon State Airport, come home, work on Friday, and then he could drive me back to Lebanon on Sunday so I could get on with the flight. Norm, bless his heart, is used to my shenanigans. He said he’d meet me down there.
“So – I had a great flight yesterday. Lots of clouds but a high ceiling so not to worry. More than 20 miles visibility. Calm air. It’s really peaceful flying by myself, and I enjoyed loafing along at 50-55 mph.
“I decided to fly strictly by pilotage instead of using my GPS, just to brush up on my ability to follow a sectional. It was great fun, but not a real test since I’m so very familiar with the area. I also turned on my SPOT tracker so that when I got home I could look up my track during the flight. (It works perfectly! I’ve now got a link to my SPOT tracking on my blog.)
“The FBO owners at Lebanon are absolutely wonderful. They have the first-ever S-LSA Hornet, which they want to use for flight instruction. They live right there at the FBO and the entire FBO looks more like a home than a business office.
“So Norm met me in Lebanon, we came home, I worked today (Friday,) will use tomorrow to finish packing and do miscellaneous other things at home, and will begin the 2nd leg of my flight on Sunday!!!”
Have a safe flight, Arty!
March 27, 2009
CASA-Making a difference
In researching articles for my Laurel Community Volunteer Examiner column, I came across a piece written by Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA [Court Appointed Special Advocates] that I want to share with you. CASA volunteers are the connection between abused and neglected children and the court system. With hard economic times effecting so many areas of our society, it’s no wonder the need has grown for these children as well. Read more.
March 22, 2009
Road to …
Road to Recovery
There’s a growing need for volunteer drivers for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program. I’ve been a Road to Recovery volunteer for almost a year. For more information about this program and a snapshot of my own personal experience as a R2R driver read “Road to…” Click to locate your local American Cancer Society office.
March 21, 2009
New links-Surf’s Up!
If you’re looking for something at either the Chrysalis Publications, LLC web site or on the big WWW, check out the links in the column on the right side of this blog. In the past few days, I’ve added some new links that may help you find what you’re looking for. Happy surfing!
March 20, 2009
Words on the Wire
Interest in my column at Examiner.com has started growing. I’m receiving information from a couple volunteer organizations and I am now more aware than ever of how many people and organizations are volunteering in the Laurel, Maryland area. It’s heartwarming! Please visit – and subscribe – to the Laurel Community Volunteer Examiner. A lot of what is happening here is happening across our country. In addition to the articles, there is a growing list of local, regional and national organizations supported by volunteers.
March 18, 2009
NAMIWalks 2009 – for the Mind of America
Once again, I’m puttin’ on my walking shoes for a worthy cause! On Saturday May 2, 2009, I’ll be in College Park, MD at the University of Maryland – College Park. Joining with the other folks who will be walking the 1 or 2-mile courses, we’ll be participating in one of the many nation-wide NAMIWalks that are taking place this year. The goal is to raise about $8 million in 2009 for the NAMI [National Alliance on Mental Illness] organization and the mental health services it offers to thousands of individuals and families throughout the country. Check out my web site and find out what we’re walking for.
