Shorts

We're finally out of the snow and into the warm weather!!!

We had an early start today and headed out to Grand Canyon airport to get ready to fly out. As we a walked outside we discovered that the temperatures were far below freezing... minus 9 Celsius! Both planes had a heavy coat of frost. The Warrior was initially a challenge to get going, due to the cold temperatures. We didn't have a plug nearby, and since there wasn't a plug or hangar to use we were not entirely sure how to warm it up. However, since the sun was shining brightly, we turned the engine into the sun, and opened up the Cowls.  Outside temperatures were now rapidly climbing above zero!

After letting it sit in the sun for 30 minutes, with cowls open, we were able to start it! However, we were very soon visited by an airport fire truck!!!  Not to worry though, the Warrior was completely fine. Cheryl, the line lady, told us that the firefighters were more than willing to show off their equipment on a slow day, and we were treated to a visit and display of the fire truck and its booms in operation!

Due to the conditions at takeoff, (even though it was cold!) we got a good display of the effects of density altitudes... We were only able to climb at about 100-200 feet per minute (very slowly).  Eventually we reached our cruising altitude of 10500.  Along the flight we saw the western part of the Grand Canyon, which provided more photo opportunities.  Coming into Lake Havasu was a bit tricky.  There is a mountain quite close to the airport so we had to descend very quickly once we were clear of it.

Lake Havasu has a very nice FBO where we were provided with free slushies, and also a cozy little BBQ restaurant where we ate lunch.

After lunch we went on a tour of the city where we went to a local gun shop and were given the opportunity to shoot machine guns!  Our target....Bin Laden.  We powned that noob!  It was also somewhat sketchy to learn that 3000 people in Lake Havasu have machine guns, and 11000 own silencers.  The total population here is approximately 40000 from what we were told.

Next we went to the London Bridge where we had a romantic walk on the beach and chucked rocks at various birds and objects.  Apparently we almost hit some guy's boat and he didn't like that very much.  For supper we went to Don's house where we enjoyed chili, dinner rolls, and fresh fruit.  It was great to get a home cooked meal for a change!

This evening we finally got the chance to do some laundry and spent hours in the pool and hot tub.  Tomorrow looks like another early morning, so we best be getting to bed.  Tune in tomorrow for another fantastic, mind blowing, cunning and exotic tale!