Spring 2001

Try Romance & Adventure This Spring!

Springtime is here! So, we're sure you'll want plenty of reasons to get into the air. For a great Valentine's Day destination, try the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver, B.C. Or, for small town hospitality and great local wines, visit Santa Ynez, California. A maritime getaway to Newport, Oregon, a Western escape in Saratoga, Wyoming, and bush flying at the Owhyhee Reservoir in eastern Oregon add to your fun choices. Whether you want to fly over Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota, herds of elephants in southern Africa, or something in between, you'll find it in our new Spring issue.

Custer, South Dakota

The southwestern corner of South Dakota is known for Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. But the area surrounding Custer offers much more. Let author Laurel Lippert show you the beautiful Black Hills, a region that abounds in natural beauty, and even has a resident herd of bison. Take nature drives, tour historic towns, and enjoy authentic small-town hospitality.

African Aero Adventure, Southern Africa

Have you ever dreamed of flying like an African bush pilot? Join us on our Pilot Getaways-sponsored Adventure Getaway as we fly through South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with the help of African Aero Safari and Hanks Aero Adventures. You'll fly with us over herds of wild animals and experience flying the way it used to be.

Santa Ynez, California

Just minutes from sprawling southern California cities is a quiet, laid back town that embodies a casual California lifestyle. Author Jean Tucker shows us hidden secrets that only a local would know. Follow an historic stagecoach route to tour horse ranches, wineries, and two small adjoining towns that bring Smalltown, USA to life.

Newport, Oregon

Situated along the picturesque Oregon coast, Newport, beckons to the traveler seeking an idyllic maritime getaway. Take a tour of this quaint seaside town and relive the history of the famous lighthouses that dot the shore. Bring the entire family to enjoy a marine science center, aquarium, and tidepooling.

Saratoga, Wyoming

The North Platte River flows through the center of Saratoga, which is known as the town, "where the trout leap in Main Street." Read our weekend getaway article to learn how the town received its unusual nickname, and where to find the best fishing and hiking spots in the Platte River Valley.

Grass Valley, California

The historic towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City have roots as California Gold Rush boom towns. Take in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada foothills while touring historic sites visited by Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Looking for a romantic getaway this Valentine's Day? British Columbia's clean city of Vancouver offers the perfect destination. Ride a horse-drawn carriage through Stanley Park, as romantic couples have done for more than 100 years, enjoy a gourmet meal, or just relax and watch the sunset over the skyline. Surrounded by coastal mountains, the city also offers glacier tours, seaplane rides, and much more.

Scottsdale, Arizona

You no longer have to choose between a wonderful gourmet meal and flying to an airport restaurant. The new D'Atri's at Scottsdale Airport caters to both pilots and non pilots with an exquisite blend of Venetian, Sicilian, and Tuscan cuisine.

Owhyhee Reservoir, Oregon

Author and bush flying fan, Greg Illes, takes us to one of his favorite spots, this time in the remote high desert of eastern Oregon. An 1,840 x 30-ft. dirt strip services a small peninsula in the Owyhee Reservoir. Your accommodations are either a small shack, called the Owhyhee Hilton, or your own tent. Whether you fish, swim, or hike, you'll be glad you escaped to this little paradise.

Survival Kits - Comfort After the Unexpected

Your engine suddenly quits; the silence you hear is the loudest sound you ever heard. Whether you dead-stick to a snow-covered mountain or a little-used airstrip, a focus on comfort, as opposed to disaster, should be the theme of any usable survival kit. Items to consider are discussed in this article.