Report: Fun times in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, November 2022
On Friday, November 4, 5 airplanes and 18 people arrived in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico for a relaxing fun and sun filled long weekend. Upon arrival at Alamos, we got the party started with margaritas and snacks in the huge 12 plane hangar. The weather was warm but nice with evenings quite pleasant. We enjoyed scrumptious meals and libations at several of their dining locations.
The group was entertained nightly by a variety of authentic Mexican musicians, plus a small Ballet Folklorico Troupe from the nearby town of Ciudad Obregon. For the early risers, on two mornings we had enjoyed walking exercise around town, the Mirador and a nearby hike up Parque la Colorada, plus a hacienda history talk. The Sonoran Cooking Class and the Tequila Class were well attended by eager learners! Hiking, horseback riding and bicycling were popular options too as was lounging and swimming at the numerous pools. Fourteen folks boarded a tram for a tour around town. The Swickard/Alcantar family and staff at the Hacienda de Los Santos were quite attentive to the needs of the group, tending to every little detail!
After Alamos, several planes took off for more adventures in San Carlos for beach and sailing fun! Some traveling north rerouted due to bad weather on the day of return. Travelling to Mexico often includes additional challenges but fortunately this trip did not produce any Bonehead Awards! All planes that travelled returned safely by the end of the week.
Thank you to Patti and Tom LaGrelius for organizing such a memorable trip.
Report: Sunday social meeting at Schlob
Sunday Social at Scholb
On Sunday October 16th, nineteen DAFers join us for a Sunday social and happy hour event at Scholb Premium Ales in Torrance. We had our own set of tables and an area almost to ourselves. A couple folks brought snacks to share. Best of all was the comradery shared by aviation enthusiast!
If you have a favorite hangout for socializing near KTOA, let us know. We plan to hold more of these events in the upcoming year.
Report: Hemet (KHMT) October 23 2022 Fly-In
Our Hemet Saturday Fly-In became our Hemet Sunday Fly-In due to Saturday's clouds and turbulence. Only Chris Harshman braved the way to Hemet on Saturday, negotiating with ATC to compensate for an "unavailable" GPS approach.
Based on Chris's food report, 11 DAFers met at the Torrance General Aviation Center at 10:00AM on Sunday, swapped guesses on weather and parachute jump zones, and set forth towards lunch at the Hangar One Cafe. We were met with broken clouds between 3,500' and 8,000' from Long Beach to Lake Elsinore. In spite of these obstacles we arrived at the Hangar One Cafe in a reasonable bunch, and in time for lunch.
The Cafe set a large table for everyone, gave us separate checks, and never stopped refilling my coffee. We appreciate their hard work, 1960's decor, the airport cafe ambiance and the menu.
After lunch we streamed home through the remaining build-ups, which were beautiful from above and below. ATC handeled our crowd nicely, no one got lost, and another happy day's flying was had by all.
We'll do it soon again.
Hangar Potluck 2022
At long last after a two year hiatus, Del Amo Flyers met for our August Hangar Potluck. Wow, what a fun time!
Seventy-three DAFers and friends helped make the event a success. Craig and Hanne Ekberg graciously opened up their hangar to house our event once again. You couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for our comeback summer social!
This year we kept the event simple with potluck appetizers and dessert and The Original Taco Man Tacos. The event was a chance to enjoy the company of fellow DAFers and a chance to meet several new members.
Homey DAF International Potluck Dinner and the Waldstein’s
On October 15, sixteen DAFers attended the international potluck event at Larry and Sheri Waldstein’s lovely home in Rancho Palos Verdes. They graciously opened their home to host and evening of fun and comradery. Keeping with the theme, we each shared our heritage through our choice of potluck dishes. Sheri surprised us with a dinner party game that had us mingle, scheme and laugh all at the same time. We also enjoyed making hats for “Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals”, the non-profit founded by Sheri Waldstein.
Thank you to Larry and Sheri for a delightful evening!
Columbia, CA (O22) Fly-in September 22-25 2022
Seven intrepid and fun-loving DAFers made the week-end fly-in to Columbia.
Of the 7, 5 DAFers braved the tailwinds and clear skies to visit the Sierra foothill airport, while two others drove in due to aircraft annual conflict.
The event was from Thursday to Sunday, giving us plenty of time to visit Columbia, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Murphys, a few wineries and just hang out at the campgrounds. A highlight of the event was an after-dark visit to the Columbia Cemetery for the annual “Stories in Stone” live performance of the dead. Columbia’s historic residence apparated beside their gravestones to share their stories. The camper’s pavilion provided a great space for visiting, eating, drinking and dancing.