Page 14 - Pilot is ready

     Then, I walked outside to survey my surrounding. I thought that I would just gas the airplane myself. It looked like the gas pit facility was about the same as the one I operated in San Mateo. As I go back to the hanger to get the gas can out of the airplane, I can see the snow is beginning to let up. I could go over to the administration building and get someone to gas the plane, but I can do it okay.  It is a joy to be down and safe and servicing the airplane myself. Checking the oil and satisfying myself the airplane is okay, now I will find the office and pay for the fuel. Maybe, I can find a cup of coffee and be on my way.
     The people sitting around the office were surprised to see me. They asked where I came from and when I landed. I told him I came up from Rock Springs, feeling my way across the Continental Divide, and worked my way down the highway and into the airport. It was snowing so bad I didn't think anyone would see me. Who would be flying in this sort of weather? I landed and taxied up and into the hanger and even serviced the airplane already.  The people sitting around just couldn't see how I landed in near blizzard conditions. I think it certainly wasn't from any skill of mine!
     I paid for the gas as they were telling me I was lucky I had got down safely. There had been more than a few pilots trying to make Rawlins in similar condiditions, and they were not so lucky.  We visited a short while longer over coffee then I went over to the wall chart of the Rawlins area. I studied the route up to Casper.

Rawlins to Casper, Wyoming

     Again, I have said all my goodbyes and ask if someone would come out to the hanger and help me push the airplane out and prop it for me so I can be on my way. The snow had given way to sunshine. The airplane looks okay and Pilot, the dog, is ready to go. The plane starts on the first pull of the prop, and soon I am taxiing out on the runway and then on my way to Casper. As I take off and climb out on course, I find the reason I have been constantly flying at higher indicated altitudes is that the average elevation in Wyoming is about six thousand seven hundred feet on the course I'm flying. Only Colorado has a somewhat higher elelavation. I find I'm still near part of the meandering Divide, but I'm on the east slope and there are gentle and few light down drafts.