Page 11 - I'm using all the runway, and there is no where to go.

     Fort Bridger, Wyoming looks like I'm landing on a mountain top. The airplane is handling somewhat different, but all is well.
     As I was on a flight plan from Odgon to Fort Bridger, the flight service station attendants gave me a warm welcome. They don't have many flights in and out of Fort Bridger in the fall and winter. It's was winter , but there was no snow on the ground.
     A cup of coffee went well, and I would have to fill up the plane from the five gallon can of gas I carried with me. Here they helped me prop the plane, and then its off again on to Rock Springs, Wyoming.
     Some how as I taxi for take off things don't seem right. For sure different than if I was at San Mateo, Ca. I check the airplane for power and set the altimeter and its off I go. As I roll and roll and roll... why is all of this different? I would not know how density altitude effects the power and performance of this little airplane. I'm using all the runway, and there is no where to go. The plane seems to feel lighter now and speed is beginning to pick up as I barely passed the end of the runway and down on the open range land. ( I will have to think about all of this!). I now head for Rock Springs. Another range of high mountains in front of me, but there is a wide open pass in the mountains. I'll be okay.
     Landing at Rock Springs was routine. The airplane is serviced, and then on to Rawlins, Wyoming. After the plane was serviced, I asked the airport attendant if he would prop the plane for me. He looked at me with a frown, a scowl of a look. " See this scar? This is what happened to me when I propped a plane and the operator did not handle the throttle and brake properly." He would show me a scar on the side of his face where he was hit by a propeller blow. "No, I will not prop the airplane for you. I'm sorry."
     Now what? I don't want to prop the airplane by myself, and I need to leave now. The attendant could see the sad look of disappointment on my face. "Man, I'll prop it for you, but do the things I tell you to do!" The little engine would respond to the move of the propeller. I'm off again to Montana. With a tear on my face, I thanked the attendant over and over as I would now head out to the runway and on to Montana.