Closed Runways and No Bear Hunting in Alaska

The "Last Chance" was ready and waiting when the guys arrived back at the Kenmare N. Dakota airstrip this morning.The sky was damp with low ceilins. Sandy from the Sand Way Ve motel took the men to breakfast and then to the airport. While checking weather with FSS they told Rich the airport had been closed the day before yesterday. They saw no yellow x's when they landed only mowers. Checking outside, a construction crew informed the fellas that they had indeed landed at a closed airfield. The mower man had moved the yellow x's so he could cut the grass. The foreman said, "you got 20 minutes to get out of town". After hugs from Sandy, a hurried refueling and a shortfield takeoff the guys repositioned the plane to Mohall N.Dakota (20 miles away) where they were greeted by a charming young lady named Tracey who works for Bowers AG of Mohall. With a call to customs and a VFR flight plan filed the men took off for Regina Canada and crossed the border at 10am.
Landing at Regina at 11:15 the "Last Chance" pulled up to the customs office right on schedule. Canadian Border Services Officer "Joanne" met the plane and began the process of checking the guys in country. All business but very friendly, Joanne shared the bad news that the Winchester 44 mag carbine was not allowed as the barrel was too short for Canadian regulations! We had to make arrangements to stow the gun in Regina until we return to pick it up on the way back. Was Bill ever dissappointed !! but the Alaska bears are rejoicing! The bright side is they picked up 6 lbs off the weight and balance and they get to see Joanne again on return. (Nice lady!) Thanks Joanne. Pat from Shell Aero center refueled the "Last Chance" and Rozie the CSR (customer service representative) at Aero Center refueled Bill with coffee and Rich with a huge chocolate Chip cookie. Rozie (pronounced "Rosie") has the prettiest red hair you ever saw! Thanks Pat and Rozie!
The men departed Regina at 1 pm and headed to Lloydminster Canada. Enroute thunderstorms were encountered but a hasty turn to the southwest got the plane around the cells and then beautiful clear skys. The gps xm weather was intermittent all the way to Lloydminster and Rich discovered upon landing that one of the cables on back was loose. Hoping that fixes the problem. At Lloydminster on of the local commercial pilots, Jim and his beautiful companion Emily, gave the guys a ride into town and the Ivanhoe Motel. Thanks Jim & Emily! More flight planning tonight and then supper and the blogspot. Fuel costs today were $5.31 per gal at Kenmare, at Regina it was $1.85 per litre. 48 litres (about 10 gals U.S.) was $88.80. If the caculations are correct that means $8.80 per gallon! Ouch!