After the disastor that Wolf Creek turned out to be, we returned to Ft. Knox campground to make new plans and consider what to do with the coming months. We called Rich & Ginger at Lee Bottom, and as it happened they were in need of help for the coming Wood, Fabric, and Tailwheels fly-in. Since we had often spoken of returning for the week, this seemed to be a great opportunity to spend some time doing things that we really enjoy and at a place were volunteers are highly appreciated. We arrived at Lee Bottom, just one week before the planes were due to start arriving.
The RV site is the same as we used when last here and it is a very exciting location for those of us who enjoy airplanes. We parked and set up, then got very busy helping to prepare for the biggest event of the year here. When we were last here the fly-in was attended by just under 200 airplanes but this time it was nearly 400 airplanes and an additional two or three hundred who drove to the field. There were even 28 RVs that dry camped in the field across the road.
One of the more interesting parts of this event for RV folks was the number of pilots who would fly in for a day of work in helping set things up for the big event for several days before the start. On Tuesday we had three airplanes here just to help, carrying a total of four volunteers. Wednesday and Thursday both brought several more planes just for the day with setting things up to be ready for fly-in. By noon on Friday there were more than 20 airplanes here bringing in staff volunteers and by the official start at 4pm there were nearly 50 airplanes present. Pilots are also campers and by evening there were a total of 88 airplanes on the ground with most having a tent pitched under the wing to house the pilot.
Pam helped with getting all of the administrative work done before and during the event, with setting up the store area and working with the caterors for the meals. I was busy doing the last of the mowing, setting up tents, helping to mark out aircraft parking areas and taxi ways and laying out the areas for air-camping. This type of air travel has become popular enough that there is now a group called American Air Campers Association, and they had representitives at the fly-in. We were quite surprised by the popularity of this type of camping. Backpacker equipment was very much in evidence for use in the small airplanes.
Our site here has a wonderful view to the river as well as of the air field. We look out to the east on the Ohio River where barges and boats of all kinds pass by frequently. In addition to that, the hillsides around us are alive with color as the leaves change color with the coming of fall. There are also deer in the area as well as numerous birds and assorted other wildlife. We also see the early signs that winter is coming and so we will soon follow the birds and start to travel to the south.
Much of what we do here is preperation for the coming winter as equipment is serviced and much of it is stored away for use next year. Activity here at the airfield is also tapering off with fewer visitors and only occasional busy weekends. I have been doing some electrical work for the buildings on the field as well as repairs on some of the plumbing. I have nearly completed a project to put the electrical supply to the cabin underground as part of the effort to remove as much of the visable utilities to get them out of view.
To see more airplanes visit this page.
The Indy track is the best known race track in the USA and the museum is well worth a visit for even those who have only a mild interest in automobile racing. The cost was only $3 per person and we spent about three hours, even though we are not avid race fans. The museum is located in the in-field.
The museum houses a very large collection that includes the majority of the race winners since the race began.
If you have any interest in either cars, or racing, it is very easy to spend a great deal of time in this museum.
There were two diesel powered winners, the first winner ever, and a few modern marvels as well. The museum also has a number of other motorized vehicles in addition to cars. All were in a race somewhere, at one time.
As we do in all places we visited, we did some driving around the area just to see what was there.
Indiana is still a state that is mostly farms and small towns with frequent covered bridges. Like so many agriculture states, it is mostly rural with the open, friendly people who are still the vast majority in such areas. It reminded me in may ways of the place where I grew up.
Southern Indiana is dominated by the river and development that is related to it. The area was settled first because of the river and even today it is a major industrial and transportation force, as well as a major recreation attraction. The river has many locks to aid in movement of barges.
The Ohio once had a waterfall near Louisville, KY but today the water has been diverted to make a channel and lock system for barge traffic and to protect the fragile falls that were made from limestone. Very little water goes over the falls today.
This area was one of the stops of the Lewis & Clark expedition as they traveled west. The visited at the home of George Rogers Clark, an uncle to William Clark. We also took some time to visit the Louisville area while we were summering so nearby.
One of many interesting courthouses, the one for Decatur County has not only a historic background but has become an attraction due to the tree that has been growing through the roof since 1870. Like all farm states, the countryside is scenic and pastoral. Stop in any small town and they will have friendly people who are happy to direct you to local points of interest. Many of the towns have a small, volunteer museum that is worth a visit.
Our great adventure has taken a turn in a very unique direction. For many years, we have enjoyed an occasional flight with a private pilot in small aircraft, and we have even considered learning to fly. But full-time RV living is really not very compatible with becoming a pilot, so we have put that experience aside, at least for now. When we saw the ad for volunteers in "Workamper News" placed by Rich & Ginger Davidson, we thought we would check it out, just as a lark. How fortunate it is that we acted upon that whim!
The first trip to the Field was an experience to say the least! We missed a turn from our directions and parked the motorhome in the lot of a rural church, unhooking the CR-V to drive in and locate our objective. That was probably one of our better choices. Once on Prospect Road, the road is very narrow and though paved, it is very steep and has two turns that are so short that a long RV can not meet another vehicle of any kind while traversing that 1/4 mile stretch. Once we visited the field, Ginger warned us to go ahead with the CR-V and just block traffic before starting down with the motorhome. By doing so, the trip was uneventful and we now know that this is done by all who live along this road and no one thinks a thing of it. This is a rural road with only about a dozen residents and everyone knows each other. For anyone who enjoys birds, this is a special place.
There are more songbirds here than almost anywhere in North America. Other wildlife is also common with deer on the field so frequently that pilots are warned to make a low pass before landing to chase the deer from the runway. We also see skunks, raccoons and wild turkeys.
We have spent time in many locations where people were friendly, but this one is probably going to be the champion of all. Our first day here was spent touring the area around the field, and in meeting the neighbors. And in our first week here, there have been two occasions where neighbors have stopped by just to see if we need anything or to share the produce from their garden! And everyone waves as they go by.
Our site is between the trees and the runway, and we can see the Ohio River through the trees from our motorhome. The runway is 4000' long and our main job is to keep it and the and apron areas mowed. It takes about 15 to 20 hours to mow. We also help with other projects when needed, but we have plenty of time to explore the area and to experience the local features, and fishing is available in the Ohio River.
There are only two airplanes hangered here, but there are "drop in" visitors every day. This grass field is used mostly by airplanes that were built many years ago. The field is open for public use and all pilots are welcome. We have found the pilots to be a very friendly bunch.
Many planes just drop by for a cold drink and a visit, some bring a picnic and a few camp here for the night.
The biggest thrill is when a really rare airplane drops by. We have been visited by the last flying Sopwith Camel as well as quite a number of other rare airplanes. The pilots seem to be a society that is very much like that of the RV world, with very little social distinction.
This was probably the most unique experience of our volunteer experiences thus far. We will always have a special place in our hearts for Lee Bottom and for both Rich & Ginger and the nearest neighbors, Jr. & Emily.
Lee Bottom is located about 40 miles northeast of Louisville, KY and about 10 miles south of Madison, IN. It is located along the Ohio River and is on South River Bottom Road. You can also check them out at their official web page at www.leebottom.com
It was a big thrill for us when the last flying Sopwith Camel, the airplane that Snoopy flew, arrived to spend the night with us.
One of the greatest parts of this experience was getting to share it with one of our grandsons! The ultra-light above is what Ginger likes to call a "flying lawn mower." The engine is about the same as that in a large lawn mower and the thing packs into a bag that will fit in a car trunk.
A typical day at Lee Bottom will have from one to five aircraft visitors, with rare days of no traffic at all.
Our dog and the resident airfield dog became fast friends too. We made several trips up with different pilots while we were there, but never managed a ride in one of the ultra-lights. I think Pam would have kept this one!
Pilot Drew Middleton, on the left, was the first to take Pam & I for an aerial tour of the area. Not every plane that came by, stopped in.
These were some of the planes that came for one of the monthly ice-cream socials at the field. On the far left is a 1937 Tiger Moth that Pam & I each got to ride in. The one next to it was an improved version of the Tiger Moth. The red/white plane was built from a kit.
One Sunday each summer month is "Sinful Sundae" when the pilots gather for a fly-in ice-cream social. Our largest social had 32 airplanes and two helicopters on the ground at one time, just for ice cream and fun! These folks like to eat & visit almost as much as do we RV travelers! But the high point of the summer is always the "Wood, Fabric & Tail-wheels" fly-in. This year the weather was too low for VFR flight to our north, yet we still have very close to 200 airplanes on the ground at the high point of the day.
As seasons always do, the summer of 2005 has become history, but it will never be forgotten. What a wonderful summer we had!
Notice the airplane flying over our motorhome in the last picture.
The first shot is Pam, all set for her trip flying second seat in a 1937 Tigermoth, an open cockpi, biplane that was a WWII trainer. The last shot is myself posed beside the helicopter which I was in when I took the aerial pictures of the field & the one above with an airplane passing over our motorhome.