I just wanted to write and let you all know that we arrived safe back in Tronquera. Our house was in fine shape as far as safety, but very dirty with 2 months of dust, dirt and bugs. I am going to be spending quite a few days cleaning it. Since it is so dirty I will go ahead and do a "spring" cleaning. All the cobwebs and dust in all the corners. This time I will have the use of the air compressor and the small vacuum. That will hopefully make it faster.
We have a long list of projects to do so I know that we will stay busy for a long time.
Lots of love,
Marilyn
The first part of our trip back after departing from Managua was fine. We were at full gross weight and full of gas. It took us 1 hour to climb to 9500 feet. The last 1/2 of the 3 hour trip we hit some rain. I went to 11,500 (hit an updraft in a cloud) but still flew IFR in some heavy rain for awhile. I was fortunate to be able to call ahead to Waspam with the ham radio we have there and find the weather there was fine (that is only 13 miles by air from our runway). We came out of broken clouds 10 miles from our runway, and found it nice and clear.
After sitting for 2 months, our plane was in nice shape. It started right up, took off in 90+ degree heat with a full load, and flew us safely all the way over the jungle, across the country. One always wonders when you leave an airplane in a 3rd world country for that much time (2 months) alone, but the airport security did a good job.
Clint
