Page 10 - Will my little airplane traverse those mountains???

     Landing at Lucin, Utah, it would be an experience landing on the salt flats. I had a five gallon can of gas and would have to fuel the plane myself and crank it ( carefully, remembering my experience in San Mateo ).
     The airplane refueled and cranked, I'm on my way to Ogdon, Utah. I had barely taken off when I would see a railroad section house on the flats of the west side of Salt Lake. I would see a girl walking to an out door toilet. I circled and circled around the toilet till the girl came out and waved. Then, again, I was back on course following the railroad track across the Salt Lake. I see a train in front of me, so lonesome to see people and create a little excitement, I flew close to the passenger train and would wave at the passengers on the train as I flew  by.
     The Salt Lake is a sight to see as Odgon looms in the distant east. There is a mountain range east of Ogdon. All of this is new to me. Will my little airplane traverse those mountains???
     Landing at Odgon was quite routine. I was able to have a good nights rest, but in the morning, I stare at this awesome ridge of mountains that are between me and my next stop, Fort Bridger, Wyoming.
     Landing at Fort Bridger would be a new experience for me. No one taught me anything about mountain flying or aircraft performance in the mountains.
     I was on a flight plan from Ogdon to Fort Bridger. Before I had taken off from Odgon I asked one of the attendants at the airport about how I would negotiate crossing the mountain range in front of me on the way up to Fort Bridger. The attendant told me to head the plane for a letter that was on the side of the mountain and on my flight path and the up drafts from the winds off the Salt Lake would give me a boost up over the mountain range.
     I depart and headed into the mountain range and there is the letter on the mountain side. I head for it as all the sudden the airplane is climbing at a rate that I could not believe. All the sudden, I have extra power and the climb is exhilarating!

Page 9 - All seems strange.

     I told the service station attendants that I had passed over a lighted airport west of Wennemucca coming in from Reno, but the pilots for San Francisco Land Co told me that the first airport I came to was closed. I was advised to land at the one nearest to town. I could hardly see when I landed, but I landed at the airport east of town, fell in a river or canal or irrigation ditch and nearly froze walking to town.
     The attendants said the runway I had landed at had been closed for years then touched a place on the wall and out comes a phone. "Bill, this is Jack at the Two Stiffs Selling Gas Service Station. Would you close a flight plan for a Piper Vagabond 4630H?" The flight service had said they were glad to get the call as I was well overdue on the flight plan, but had yet to begin any search for it. Now, all is well.
     The attendants could not believe where I landed and that I had to walk to town. They helped me to find a room at a local hotel.
     Morning of November 15, 1952, I arose at sunup and found a local cafe where I could regroup and then find a way out to the field where I landed and be on my way from Wennemucca to Battle Mountain, NV.
     I would walk to the service station. On picture postcards, the service station was known as the Two Stiffs Selling Gas.  One of the attendants took me out to the closed airport where  I would need to refuel the airplane. He was evidently familiar with this airport as he knew how to start the gas pump. I had him put a couple of gallons of fuel on the ground to be sure there was no water in the fuel line. This all being done, the attendant helped me start the airplane and I'm off to continue my adventure as it would be, on up to Montana.
     Battle Mountain assured and its on to Lucin, Utah. All seems strange. The higher altitude. The colder air. I had little experience flying at these higher altitudes, but it all exciting!