This year was my 4th trip to Copperstate, the annual fly-in held at the Casa Grande Arizona airport (KCGZ).  The fly-in is fine, but for me the trip is the main event.

The flight this year was a total of 1,926 miles.  We spent two days flying each way.  I say we.  On the trip down I flew my Zodiac, keeping Doug Dugger of Quality Sport Planes company in his 750.  On the trip back, Doug and I were Joined by Woody Harris in his Corvair powered Zodiac. 

It was a fabulous adventure. Doug and I like to fly low through the desert. On one 527 mile leg our average AGL was 235 feet.  Yes, a Zodiac can fly low and slow too with the advantage of burning 50% less fuel than a 750 does at the same speed. 

A highlight of the trip was a stop at a little known dirt strip in Death Valley National Park.  The strip is called the Chicken Strip.  It is located in the north-end of the Saline valley.  Here is a link to a Google Map.  The strip is a little rough for a 601 but doable. From the strip, it is a short walk to some well maintained "natural" hot springs - (warning: clothing optional).  To drive a car to this place takes many hours on a dirt road.  In the plane, it was fun and much easier.

Below is a picture of my GPS track.

The best way to see much of what we saw on this trip is to take a look at the 200+ pictures I took along the way.  I have posted them to my SmugMug account.  You can view them by clicking this link.  You can download the pictures if you like and there is a slideshow available.  Hope you enjoy.

Steve