Original Posted By: KTS5TA6(at)wmconnect.com
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Brodhead. BOY HOWDY!Boy Howdy, BrodheadThis experience at Brodhead was the finest aviation event I have ever been toin all my 52 years of growing up around airports and hanging out at airfields(except the times my dad did that "take your son to work thing" teaching mehow to fly Twin Bonanzas in the late 50s before I could see over the instrumentpanel.)Brodhead was extraordinary and for those who have never been, please let meemphasize that y'all need to giddy-on-up there next time! It was well worth=20the3,000+ miles I will have logged in a car driving back and forth to TACO land.I left Central Texas on Thursday and drove 23 hours straight without a breakexcept to buy gas and tap a kidney. When I arrived on Friday, I didn't knowTacos from Shineola because I was so tired. But Brodhead was worth every mile,gallon of gas and lost sleep I endured.I met a whole mess of fine people there! Not a sourpuss in the entire crowd.Also, I met dozens upon dozens of Darned Fine Yankees. I wonder how ussoutherners started calling them that other "D" word? I think I indicted nearlyadozen Darned Fine Yankees into the TACO club. Even recruited one further norththan Yankee land from Canada.The highlight of the entire trip (O$CA$H included) was meeting andinterviewing Bernard Pietenpol's granddaughter. I have her name on videotape, andpleaseexcuse me for the fact her name has slipped my tongue at the moment. I alsoshot video of Bernard's great granddaughter taking her first ride in a Corvairpowered Pietenpol. That was indeed a hoot. The entire family was verygracious, warm and accommodating and I think I indicted half of 'em into TACO.I won'tknow until they send me their photos for their TACO ID card. When I met thePietenpol clan, I thought I fell off a ship somewhere in Scandinavia. I neversaw so many handsome looking blond headed folks in one group in my entire life.And so nice, much in the way I'm sure Bernard was.I missed seeing Mike King (our Grande Chalupa) and I wish Terry Bowden (ourBig Burrito=E2=80=A6 stands for President in border Spanish) could have been there=E2=80=A6Maybe next year. Oscar! Where were you? And Jim... reckon he was stuck intraffic with our other TACO Officers.I'd like to personally thank everyone who allowed me to interview them abouttheir Air Camper building and flying experiences. Chuck was terrific and suchan easy-going, knowledgeable fellow. He shared some great stories about hisairplane and I'm confident his contribution to my video will be worthwhile forthose who will follow as builder/flyers. I don't have time or space at themoment to thank everyone, but let me assure you, anyone connected with the AirCamper experience can be described as a great bunch of folks. And Brodhead is amust for your 2005 calendar.TACO Loco & Head Honcho of the Winters, TX DistrictSterling Brooks________________________________________________________________________________