Backcountry Events 
By Mark Spencer
Spring has brought some pretty good flying weather for us this year, and with it some great backcountry flying and events. This weekend’s fly in camp at Pleasant Valley (24AZ) just north of the beautiful and historic community of Young, went off without a hitch. Just after the first two aircraft arrivals, a light rain fell on the area, helping to keep dust down for the entire weekend. Our friends from Young, Chuck Freegard and Barry Dille, provided their usual friendly smiles along with Barry’s port-a-john. Chuck once again graciously left his extended cab pickup for us to use, allowing us to visit the incredible Antler’s Restaurant twice this weekend, where our appetites were easily quenched by Scott’s incredible cooking.
We had a small group staying over both nights, and our big Saturday lunch was all you could eat sausage or hamburgers, all cooked up by our new friend Scott Tabor from Globe. Scott was also part of Carl Guilliams’ crew that transported and installed the new shades at PV for us. Barry & Carolyn Dille returned with Barry’s guitar and entertained us late into the night around the campfire.
Tuweep is always one of the first airstrips brought up at our backcountry events, and I’ve been invited to sit down with the State Land Commissioner and her top staff once again later in April. The intent is to work out an approach to re-opening this little gem. This may be our last shot at re-opening Tuweep through the political process, and we are truly hopeful that Governor Ducey will keep his commitment made to us to support equal and open access to state trust lands. Our only request is that the aviation community be given the same privilege of access under the current recreational permit system as other recreators, no more, no less. We know that the state land department will find, just as the USFS and BLM have, that we are among the most responsible and safest users and partners they’ll work with.
There are two more months to enjoy the 3rd Saturday (actually starting Friday) at Grapevine before our summer shut down, so check your calendar and meet us out there at what has become one of our most popular airstrips. It’s truly hard to describe the beauty of Grapevine, especially if you’ve never enjoyed a sunset or sunrise there. Check our calendar, print your safety brief, and join us this month! With Brad and Kit hosting, you can be assured an incredible BBQ lunch on Saturday, and if you are camping, it’s potluck on Saturday night.
Rounding out April will be our spring fly-in to the old Double Circle Ranch. This airstrip is now officially Z66, and you won’t want to miss the fireplace in the old lodge and stories of the old west with your friends, fellow pilots, and locals. I’ll be sharing the story of Geronimo’s massacre at the ranch on Saturday night, from an eye witness account record taken down in 1929 from a San Carlos Apache, John Rope.
As always, watch our Facebook page for last minute scheduling changes due to bad or questionable weather, or email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..