ABC Weds - J is for Johnson Creek Airstrip, Idaho. This airstrip is the premiere backcountry airstrip destination for backcountry pilots all over the West (seen from above as we circle with other aircraft going into land at that small green strip surrounded by trees). We have been into this remote backcountry strip several times, but last summer was the first time for the Murphy Rebel. Johnson Creek is the premiere destination for backcountry pilots all over the west. It has all the amenities - showers, water, shaded campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, and best of all - lots of airplanes show up in the summer.
Last summer in late June, we flew the Rebel to Idaho - 8 hours of flying from Mid Valley to Smiley Creek - another Idaho airstrip (not so backcountry, but beautiful never-the-less). We spent an evening at Smiley and the next morning (after a wonderful breakfast at Smiley Creek Lodge right across the highway from the airstrip), we flew to Johnson Creek. This was when aviation fuel was pushing $6 a gallon in some places. Our expectations were that there would not be many airplanes at Johnson Creek - boy, were we wrong - when we arrived about mid-morning, only a few spots along the runway remained for tiedowns and the best campsites were gone. Already airplanes were lining up on the opposite side of the runway. After a great landing by Mike, we tied down the Rebel and found a campsite in the pine trees. We spent a few days here and by the time we left, one day we counted nearly 80 airplanes! So much for that high-priced fuel keeping pilots grounded! We met many folks we now count as friends and have met up with them at Oshkosh and other fly-in destinations (Durango, Casa Grande to name a few).
Last summer in late June, we flew the Rebel to Idaho - 8 hours of flying from Mid Valley to Smiley Creek - another Idaho airstrip (not so backcountry, but beautiful never-the-less). We spent an evening at Smiley and the next morning (after a wonderful breakfast at Smiley Creek Lodge right across the highway from the airstrip), we flew to Johnson Creek. This was when aviation fuel was pushing $6 a gallon in some places. Our expectations were that there would not be many airplanes at Johnson Creek - boy, were we wrong - when we arrived about mid-morning, only a few spots along the runway remained for tiedowns and the best campsites were gone. Already airplanes were lining up on the opposite side of the runway. After a great landing by Mike, we tied down the Rebel and found a campsite in the pine trees. We spent a few days here and by the time we left, one day we counted nearly 80 airplanes! So much for that high-priced fuel keeping pilots grounded! We met many folks we now count as friends and have met up with them at Oshkosh and other fly-in destinations (Durango, Casa Grande to name a few).
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