Then we headed to Magdalena, NM (N29) to spend 2 nights at Rancho Magdalena, a B&B next to the field run by a wonderful couple, Lee and Lori Sholls. Magdalena is a very small town out in the New Mexico scrub, laid back living and a good launching pad for a few adventures.
Lee is a pilot; ex-Army helo and fixed wing and was very helpful with local advice.
We flew to Alamagordo, NM (KALM) with a fuel stop at F37 to do a day trip to White Sands, NM. The pics from that adventure didn't download though, so this segment is a little low on pics.
THe route map doesn't take into account a long detour around the White Sands Missile Range, which was active that day. Made for a great view of the lava flows north of KALM though.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=KSSF-KCNM-N29-F37-ALM-N29
Maps generated by the Great Circle Mapper - copyright © Karl L. Swartz.
We stayed in San Antonio and extra day for weather. Did a ceiling check here with the Tower of Americas on the drive to the airport. Low ceilings but no convective activity.
Broke out of the weather after about an hour on a long leg KSSF-KCNM, 3.8 hours total. Crossed hundreds of miles of oil fields in TX.
A salt lake outside Carlsbad NM. It was a welcome break in the scenery.
Some scenery just outside our destination,N29.
Magdalena, NM (N29), Rancho Magdalena, our accomodations for the next 2 nights are on the right. N29 is an easy, smooth and very long dirt runway. If you want to put your wheels on their dirt though, you better hurry. It is scheduled to be paved in July/August.
Pics from our side trip to White Sands didn't download. Next installment, we head to Farmington, NM and beyond.
Kirk