Third Leg: Waco, Texas

Texas always deserves special treatment.


Today it was a short and relaxing leg of only ~300nm. The weather ahead East is not good so this dictates how far along I can go. It is also a great opportunity for enjoying this part of the country. So here I am in Waco, TX.

Before I left Hobbs I had some time to visit the Western Heritage museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame, which just happened to be across the road from my hotel; the Lea County Inn. Very kind people in there. The hotel owner himself drove me to the airport (see picture below). When you visit Hobbs I recommend you stay there.

The Western Heritage museum contains the history and memorabilia of the pioneers who lived and established themselves in this part of the country when the main business was about Cowboys, cattle and farming, well before it was all about Oil like today. I found very interesting biographies in display. I add some pictures below.

The trip today was in the plain for as long as the eye can see, and relaxing compared to flying in the high desert mountains and plains. I left late to allow for the weather to improve ahead of me and thus allow me to go as far as possible without entering into IFR conditions (IFR = Instrumental Flight Rules; like being into clouds).
It was also a "downhill" trip; it started at 3,660 ft in Hobbs and ended at 516 ft in Waco.

Now some pictures:

The Lea County Inn. Great hospitality. A  must stop when you travel to Hobbs.

The  hotel owner who kindly drove me to the airport.
N669TW in the background

The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame. See who was who in the founding times of this rich land.

Find about the first Cowboys; Jeff McClure, George Wesley, Troy Clements, "Ma" Hooper and others....

Before I left I met Tavo Gutierrez on the tarmac. He and his friend were about to leave in another Cessna back to Colorado were they live. Apparently they do this trip every 2 weeks for work. He also flies gliders and reminded me to check for them in this area. Actually Hobbs is where the Soaring Society of America resides. We both wished each other safe flights, and promised I would put him on the blog.

Hundreds, thousands? of beautiful round cultivated farmland, ...as if patchwork.

The first close clouds I encountered during this trip. Somewhat menacing in the distance but not in my direction. In could see some rain and spectacular lightning activity in the far away.

The clouds obviously came with thermal activity. This explains why this is such a good place for soaring and reminded me about my previous gliding experiences. Full of alternative landing places... I took advantage of the thermals to climb "for free".

More farmland cultivated in other styles... Very creative farmers over here! I always wonder how they come up with their designs...   Is it allowed to drink while driving tractors?

Some communities around a lake along this trip and clouds' shadows.

A glider airport (See the grass runway to the right); This is Hamilton County airport. When I left Hobbs this was as far as the weather allowed me to go. As the weather improved I was able to make it further away. Otherwise this is where I would have ended today.

Not very obvious, but in about the middle of the picture, in the distance, you can see an open green space with Waco airport and Waco lake to the right. The ceiling was around 3500 ft. The darker skies in the background, and the need for gasoline suggested to stop here for the day.

 After landing in Waco. The Texas Aero personnel was very helpful, refueled the plane and took me a picture with 669TW.  It looks as if there were giving the plane a shot. The Texas vaccine?

Here at the Texas Aero facilities. Very nice and comfy. No night parking fee for the plane. For me they found a local hotel with shuttle.... where I have already treated myself to a relaxing swim in their heated pool before writing this blog tonight.

An additional picture of my setting while flying. In the large screen, in the middle you can see the magenta flying line with a blue dot (a plane) at the bottom. On both sides there are darker areas which depict the IFR conditions which were slowly receding as I was flying behind the weather front.
Also it cannot be seen very well in the pic but the cable in the background connects the iPad to a solar panel opened over the dashboard to keep or prolong the iPad charge without wasting precious aeroplane battery.


My actual track from Hobbs NM to Waco TX today:

Day Totals:

• 320 nm
• 3 hours 9 min 
• Max altitude: 7000 ft

That's all for today.

A spring storm with lightning and thunder is falling all over Waco as I am writing this. Hopefully it will be better tomorrow. With this changing weather I will have to play it by ear...

BTW thank you to all for the comments and or emails. These are very welcomed and encouraging, even if I do not have time answer them all.

Eduair   :-)