Another Attempt to Push Northwards

Wow... this fog stuff is really hanging in there!

We spent the night in North Platte, Nebraska, home to the first lighted aerodrome in the US. Apparently, this field was the first field out of which a successful night flight was made. It all started when U.S. Army Air Service Lieutenant Donald L. Bruner had the idea of using bonfires and beacons to guide pilots. In 1921, Jack Knight put this to the test when he pulled an all-nighter with a flight to Chicago from North Platte. Knight was able to find his way across across the black prairie (remember, this was before the days of widespread hydro!) with the help of the many bonfires that were lit by Post Office staff, farmers, and the public.

We all woke to heavy fog... but with hope. The TAF showed that we would get clearing skies later in the day, and that these just might extend as far as mid South Dakota. Every mile closer to home is now a mile that we are closer to our own beds!

Sure enough, around 1230, the fog started to lift, and we were airborne within moments. First stop was only 100NM north, in a town called Valentine, Nebraska, which was still showing low ceilings and vis as we left. If the fog continued to burn off, then our plan was to stop and to re-assess the weather situation at that point. If it looked promising, then we would try and continue onward from there!

For such a tiny town, Valentine was a real charm. It had a brand new runway with nary a skidmark to be found anywhere. The FBO on site was great as well! Well stocked with sodas and snacks at a good price, we were able to refuel. It was also quite modern and very comfortable. There was no one around, but that was OK, since we only planned on being there a few moments.

Adam did a record time refueling of the plane as the rest of us took a look at the weather. Up ahead, Mobridge South Dakota was reporting very marginal VFR, but we all agreed that it was worth a shot. Another incentive to continue was the recent satellite images out of Manitoba... 

Although the TAF for Winnipeg earlier in the day was predicting poor conditions with an overcast at 200-300 feet, we could see that it was totally clear! It certainly wasn't anywhere near what was forecast earlier. The fact that we were getting much farther than we thought, and that the weather was better on our end than was forecast also helped to buoy our spirits. 

Devil's Lake was also reporting VFR, so if this trend was to continue, then there might be a chance that we would get home by the end of the day!

The tailwinds were a big help... and we were grounding nearly 130 knots at times... but as we went further north, we encountered weather that was continuing to deteriorate. 8 miles vis turned to 5.... 1500 foot ceilings turned to 1000... then 5 miles turned to 2, and 1000 to 800. The vis countinued to to drop, and we soon saw that banks of fog were below us... We realized about two thirds of the way to Mobridge that we were not going to get there. 

Time to turn around while the getting was still good! 

We set down in the Capital of South Dakota, Pierre. (Pronounced "Peer.") It wasn't long before the airport went IFR, and all hopes of continuing our journey were put on hold. 

As we look out at the forecast for tomorrow, we see that there is more of the same. Low ceilings and visibilities. Ones that are not to be better than 400 OVC in any direction north, west, or east. 

For tonight, we can only wait, hope, and pray that things get better!