The Flight of the Saltire

**KiltedKnome** · 21st May 10, 07:34 AM

Are you taking her to Mars?

**Riverkilt** · 21st May 10, 08:15 AM

Aye...and the moon...but after the San Juans...

**KiltedKnome** · 21st May 10, 08:22 AM

San Juan Islands? Dare we hope that you and the Saltire will be up in this area?

**Riverkilt** · 21st May 10, 08:36 AM

Faint hope for now...San Juan Mountains of S.W. Colorado - where I worked in the mines as a boy and where the hot black silky lithium waters flow from Mother Earth and an old geezer can soak himself into a stress free prune while the Saltire soars in thinner air....

**Wolfhawk** · 21st May 10, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

The Saltire was last seen by me heading West on Monday morning. Hopefully she'll be at the next port of call in a day or two.

Wish she could have seen Scarby before haeding outside the state again. I am sure that Queen Margaret of Scotland would have loved to have her pic taken with her.

**cessna152towser** · 22nd May 10, 04:20 PM

Wow, the Saltire reaches Arizona, great pics Ron. Keep 'em coming.

**Riverkilt** · 24th May 10, 09:59 PM

Last Friday the Saltire took off on a long, very windy, journey across the Navajo Nation in Arizona (Kaibeto, Inscription House, Shonto, Mesa View, Black Mesa, Kayenta, Baby Rocks, Dinnehotso, and Teec Nos Pos, Arizona - then past the Four Corners National Monument (sadly closed for construction) on on across the Ute Reservation in Colorado - through Cortez, Dolores, Rico, and on into Ridgeway Colorado where she docked at Orvis Hot Springs.

(no inside pics due to owner policy but you can get a feel for this luxurious place at www.orvishotsprings.com) while Riverkilt wallowed in the hot black silky lithium waters of Orvis, the wee ship explored the San Juans, here heading up to Mt. Sneffels

After such a long flight and some high altitude work the Saltire landed in the city park to wallow in dandelions and recharge.

Next morning the wee ship headed over to the True Grit Cafe in Ridgeway for some chow

And to meet the Duke, whom the cafe honors.

**Riverkilt** · 25th May 10, 01:52 PM

Saturday Sailing

The Dimminutive Dirigible started with a stop at the Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery in Ridgeway. They fly the Saltire outside - no clue why. The owner said he owns a kilt. Gave him this website so he could see the pic when I got it posted. His is www.coloradoboy.com Anyone who flys the Saltire flag has to be okay.

Then the Saltire headed north to Montrose, Colorado and on over to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison for some dramatic sailing.

Out of the high winds and inside the visitor's center the bantam balloon took a liking to a long dead falcon mounted on the ceiling. Had to restrain it from getting too close to the talons.

**BoldHighlander** · 25th May 10, 01:57 PM

Wonderful photos Ron, thanks for posting

I haven't been to Arizona since I was a kid, but I still remember the rugged & beautiful canyons

**Riverkilt** · 25th May 10, 02:57 PM

Sunday Soaring

The teeny airship headed for the Bachelor-Syracuse Mine for an underground mine tour. http://bachelorsyracusemine.com/

While waiting for the mantrip the ship stopped at the historic restroom.

She took a look at the bear warning sign.

Then decided to cruise up to Uncompahgre Peak

When the underground mantrip was ready she sailed on in 1800 feet into Gold Hill. A power outage in town meant the trip was done in the authentic way - by the light of a headlamp. No string of lights strung to keep the tourists at ease - this was dark - and rightly so. Here she's checking out a jackhammer used to drill dynamite holes into the hardrock to blast out the gold ore.