Day 16: Las Vegas - Lordsburg (New Mexico)

Well we finally dragged ourselves away from the blackjack and buffet tables for long enough to get back in the air. Up before the sun again in order to miss the afternoon bumps as we head through the valleys of Arizona and New Mexico.

Leaving Las Vegas wasn't as straight forward as our route in as the ATC guys didn't give us vectors(directions) to fly, instead left it up to us to find our way while remaining outside of their airspace. It made for some interesting flying trying to remain below 5000 ft with mountains up to 8000 feet around us!

We managed to make it out though and back on to our track this time following the Colorado River out of Las Vegas.

The Colorado River divides two timezones so I had a great time crossing over and back asking Sharon what time it was.

Tucson Arizona

We had initially planned to make it as far as El Paso but it was starting to get very bumpy, one second climbing at 800 fpm the next dropping by the same so we decided to stop in Lordsburg for the night.

Donna the manager at the airport who we had met when we stopped for fuel on the way to Vegas was once again very helpful and gave us her truck to go look for and check into a hotel. She also brought us out to see a Coatimundi that had been chased up onto the Airport roof by the resident dog. Apparently they are very rare animals, her father who has lived in the area all his life had yet to see one and was coming out for a look so we were quite privileged to see one in our first few minutes in New Mexico.

Both starving after our long day we headed for some food

Goodnight from Lordsburg, hopefully Dallas tomorrow.