Yuma, Temecula, San Luis Obispo, Oakland
Flying the Edge of America
Thursday, September 18, 2008: Yuma, Arizona
How anything can grow in this desert is a mystery.
Our journey to Yuma, Arizona, began with a brief stop at Douglas Bisbee Airport to refuel, as Tombstone had no such facilities. Bisbee Airport, once a bustling pilot training base during WWII, now serves as a quiet waypoint. The weather was "extreme clear," as aviators call it, with barely a cloud in the sky. Flying early in the morning gave us smooth, cool air at 8,500 feet, ensuring a comfortable ride.
Magnificent terrain.
As we passed over Tucson, a city where I once worked for 18 months, nostalgia set in. However, the descent into Yuma brought the desert's heat into sharp focus. Temperatures soared to 98 degrees, a dry heat that was somewhat more bearable than the humidity we had faced since Bar Harbor. Still, it was oppressive. After a brief visit to the Yuma Prison Museum, we retreated to the comfort of air-conditioning and cooled off with a swim in the pool.
Yuma Flight Video
Friday, September 19, 2008: Temecula, California
Sunrise over Yuma.
Departing Yuma early, we flew west along the Mexican border toward Temecula, California, avoiding the afternoon's predicted triple-digit temperatures. The barren deserts of Arizona and California stretched endlessly below, with stark contrasts between the irrigated fields on the Mexican side and the arid U.S. landscape. The California high desert presented an unforgiving yet stunning vista, its ruggedness visible from the air.
Is it the Sahara? No, it’s the California desert.
As we neared San Diego, the terrain shifted dramatically from wastelands to urban sprawl, marking the fourth corner of our circumnavigation of the contiguous U.S. Landing at Temecula, we celebrated with a visit to a local winery, indulging in fine wine and exceptional food—a welcome return to California's culinary delights. After weeks of steak and fries, the fresh, sophisticated cuisine felt like home.
Temecula Flight Video
Temecula Video
Saturday, September 20, 2008: San Luis Obispo, California
The very busy Temecula Airport.
After a delightful dinner with my relatives in Temecula, we departed the next morning through one of the busiest airports I’ve ever experienced. The line of planes waiting to take off was reminiscent of the crowded skies over Los Angeles, which we navigated cautiously. Despite its complexity, the air was smooth, and the flight was serene.
It feels so good to be back in California.
Arriving in San Luis Obispo, we headed to Pismo Beach for a relaxing lunch and a walk along the silky sands. Watching the sun sink into the Pacific, we reflected on our journey. America, vast and varied, had revealed itself to us in ways we could scarcely have imagined.
San Luis Obispo Flight
Pismo Beach Video
Sunday, September 21, 2008: Oakland, California
Rugged Northern California coast.
Our final leg took us from San Luis Obispo to Oakland, a route I’ve flown many times. Yet this time, it carried a deeper meaning. Passing over Big Sur, Monterey, and Half Moon Bay, we approached San Francisco, which greeted us with its familiar marine layer. Hearing a friendly "welcome home" on the radio from a fellow pilot confirmed what we already felt—we had completed our journey.
Oakland Airport with San Francisco in the background. Home.
Reflecting on our three-month adventure, we are overwhelmed by the beauty, diversity, and spirit of America. From breathtaking landscapes to the warm connections with friends and strangers, this journey has left an indelible mark on our souls. While we could keep exploring, it’s good to be home.
Oakland Flight Video
Trip stats
Obama: 23
McCain: 6
Undecided: 8
Miles Hiked: 176
Miles Flown: 10,034
Flights Flown: 44
Hours Flown: 73.83
States Visited: 28
Towns Visited: 53