Collins Flying Club: Whitelaw to New Holstein and back.

I made some very nice trips with Rollie in his Piper PA11 from his strip in Whitelaw, WI. The very first was on June 29th, when we flew to New Holstein International Airport (8D1).
I found some real good music to underscore the fun we were having.

NB On the back of Rollies jacket is reads Collins Flying Club: Better be scared than bored.

Over the pond to Brussels and home

Thursdaymorning we left our hotel near O'Hare, stuffed our things in the rental. Brought the rental back to Avis. Got in the bus to departures. Had to repack our big bag (69 lbs). At the security we had to leave our unique pots with maple syrup, because we had repacked it in our hand baggage ( tears, we feel so sorry about this Arlee ...). And got in the 777 to Washington. At the last moment a wonderful view of Chicago and Lake Michigan.














At Dulles Airport, Dieter a Belgium young man asked Cecilia if that was a violin in that case. She showed him a played for the people waiting in line. In the plane we had to wait 1.5 hour on the taxiway. There was a huge buildup near New York. After obtaining a new flightplan, we could leave for Brussels. I had Tommy as my flying mate. He is a nice young man. I tried to trick him by vowing to each other that we each would try to keep each other awake all night. Of course I hoped he would sleep soon, as he started that day at 05.00 am in San Diego. But no way: he was really good and kept me awake, alle but the two last two hours, when he slept soundly.














In Brussels we had nog problems getting thru immigration and customs. Got on the train to Roosendaal. There Marie Anne picked us up and drove us home. Everything around the house is very green, surrounded by corn. Cecilia prepared to go to her own address, and we had a very good sleep.

Farewell to Carol and Rollie and Whitelaw

Wednesdaymorning we paked everything. Then Rollie went to Chrissy, to borrow her big car to bring to to Sheboygan.
First Cecilia and Carol had a long walk over the property.














When back, Rollie attended to the flowers and the birds.














The we drove to Sheboygan, and had lunch in the Mucky Duck. We collected our rental car and had a heartbreaking goodbye session with our wonderful hosts. Just before the Interstate 43 our ways parted: they North to Whitelaw, we South to Chicago.













Especially before Milwaukee we had some very big showers of rain, so we got of the highway and waited for the clouds to pass. Then around 8 pm we arrived in our Comfort Inn O'Hare hotel. Cecilia is out to score some catfish and wine, while I enjoy the good internetconnexion. Tomorrow we will fly at 13.15. And that flight will sum up our special two month stay in the USA.

Tuesday August 12th more goodbyes

At noon, back from the airport, Rollie arrived in his PA11. He had mowed the grass at his other airstrip Windhaven.














In the evening we went for dinner in the Mustang to Arlee and Sharon Titel in Collins.














Sharon and ARlee gave us self made maple syrup. Arlee showed us his maple trees, where the liquid from is extracted.














Then we ate a great lasagna in the beautiful wooden house of the Titels. Tired we were, all of, so this night is an early beddy bye.

Tuesday, August 12th, Seaplane training

Today the weather was great again. I took my chance to have my first seaplane training ever. With Curt Drumm of Lakeshore Aviation, Manitowoc WI. At 9.00 AM the Cessna was lorried out of the hanger.














First I made a landing in Lake Winnebago, but Curt decided it was kindof rough there, so we went to a lake North of Oshkosh. There we made another six landings, I tried speed taxiing, we saw a pelican and had lots of fun.














Total seaplane time is now 2.,3 hours and I believe I am infected by the seaplane virus! I want more of this: landing on the water, going to nice places, maybe swim, maybe fish or camp out. Incredible!














Here is a splash! Tomorrow we will drive to Chicago and spend the night there. This flight is a good way to say goodbye for now for the flying part of my USA vacation 2008.

More pictures of the seaplane training

Last days in the USA 2008

In the weekend Rollie and Carol went to a military show in Ijola, We babysitted on their house, fields, ponds, airstrip, dogs, cats and birds. And Cecilia made a wonderful lunch on the 'deck'.














Monday we were invited for a canoetrip along Manitowoc River, from the City Park to almost Lake Michigan. I drove in the Pickup with Rollie and one canoe. The 'girls' went in the Mustang ... Marty and Mary brought another two canoes along, so we were quite a party!














The boatride took us more than 2 hours. Luckily we didin't get wet. We were rewarded with a lunch in the Harbor Restaurant.












In the evening we all were invited by neighbour/friends Bonnie and Jack and their family to have meal together. It was delicious and afterwards we had fun playing games. And then we had to say goodbye ...

August 9th, Wheels and WIngs at New Holstein International Airport

Today I told one of my Flying Stories at WHeels and Wings in New Holstein. My USA Premiere!














There was also many great automobiles to be admired. This one I voted for.














I wish the Oosterland Firebrigade could use a FireEngine like this: Wow!














And then this unique Cessna 165, one of 6 flying in the whole world.

More pictures of this event on:

Van 2008-08-09 Wh...

August 7, Thursday up to Kellersville

As Carol was still sleeping after her nightduty in E.R. of the Manitowoc Hospital, Rollie drove us to our favourite breakfast/lunch restaurant in Kellersville, in his Ford Model A















On the way back Rollie and Cecilia had an interesting conversation, while I tried to sleep.














In the evening we drove in the golfcart to the logcabin, where I played my accordeon.

By Ford Model A and by horse

Wednesday, Neighbours Jack & Bonnie had family over from Virgina and liked to show them Rollies former diary factory. So we set off in two Model A Fords.














Here is Jack, Jay, Cecilia, Jays and Kathies son and daughter, Kathy and Rollie in the factory















We all were treated to a very good icecream by Samantha, Rollies eldest granddaughter.














Here we get back in the old Fords to Whitelaw. Just in time to bring Cecilia to go and ride a horse in Francis Creek.














Cecilia, the horse and Rollie.

August 4th, Manitowoc Maritime Museum

We Carol and Rollie we visited the Maritime Museum, and one the submarines, they built in Manitowoc during the 2nd WW. Mr. Charley Torpedoman told us of the hard life of that time.














The rest of the Museum told us about shipping, shipbuilding and fishing in and around Manitowoc and the Great Lakes.














We had a desert at an old shop called Beerntsen: for me a wonderful Icecream Soda.














We we got home Pepper-dog got the remnants of Rollies lunch as a reward for guarding the house and property.














We have just one week left before we return to Oosterland. So time gets very precious now. What will we do these last days?

Sunday August 3rd

This Sunday Reint drove the pickup to New Holstein, while Rollie flew over in his PA11Cub. All this to return the camper to Whitelaw.














On his flight back Rollie landed in Windhave near his recently plowed field and found some Native Indian Artifacts: 1 spearhead and 2 scrapers. Of course he was was very excited about that!














Cecilia went with Carol, Bonnie and Heather to a Fair in Kawaunee. There was a Czechian singer Anita Smisek. Cecilia was in tears when she heard her singing on a CD. Then the biggest surprise came as she asked to sing with Anita in a former silo, with a beautiful sound.



















Later on the ladies went to Two Rivers. Here a portrait of Cecilia an Carol in Two Rivers.

New Holstein 2008, Goodbye!

This is a what the thunderstorm looked like from Whitelaw, before it hit New Holstein Friday afternoon. Luckily all survived with their Cubs. Only their tents and clothes were soaked, but could be dried at the Laundromat.














Saturdaymorning Cecilia an I arrived back at NH to pack our things and share the last breakfast with our old and new friends.














Both Steve Johnson and Cecilia were presented a good bottle of New Holstein wine.














Here I say goodbye to Ron Massey before his take off to New Mexico.














With almost everyone gone except for Wilbur and Sharon (who was expecting Wayne coming from Oshkosh), Randy, Jay and their family treated all of us to a fantastic lunch with fresh cheese, sausages, and self brewn beer and self made wine. Especially Cecilia was testing all of it. Then we drove off in 'our' pickup truck back to Whitelaw. Thank you New Holstein, thank you wonderful Supercub.org family!