WELCOME!

July 16th, 2008

It’s been an incredible journey. It started over two years ago and still has not ended.

I want to thank everyone who continually tracked my adventure. Your interest kept me going throughout the trip. At times, in my inevitable loneliness, I questioned my purpose. But knowing so many people enjoyed reading about our “unknown America” made me feel driven to complete the five-month adventure.

Along the way, and since, I have received emails with logistical questions I failed to answer completely in my posts. So, I combined the most commonly asked questions and came up with some answers…

Why did you do this?

This question is probably the easiest to ask and the hardest to answer. Originally, I needed to get my airplane from Indiana to California (my home state). The trip grew from there. That’s the simple answer.

The real answer is a bit more complicated. I had two goals in mind before I took off.

1. I wanted to use my piloting skills for something unique, bringing aviation back into a positive light. In the same vein, I wanted to promote an aviation organization that I admire, Angel Flight.

2. Having studied journalism, I wanted to actually apply my education to a project all my own. I envisioned a string of first person articles about the good side of United States: hardworking people, fascinating history, active charities, and more than anything beautiful places to visit that don’t require going abroad.

Skyfemme and Kilo?

Yes those are nicknames I use. Skyfemme is a nickname for me and it represents my trip, the Skyfemme Adventure. Kilo is the name for my airplane. It’s basically just an abbreviation of her tail number, 9328Kilo. Yes, Kilo is a lady, sometimes a trouble-causing lady. But actually she was amazingly reliable.

How did you pick what stops you’d take? Which was your favorite?

I studied state tourism websites, history books, aviation maps, etc., for about six months before I took off. Each stop had a touch of history, charity, or adventure. My first stop was Ohio, for the commemoration of the 1970 Kent State shootings. That was one of the heavier stops. They ranged, though.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I cattle drove in Idaho, not really a good experience. My best experience, I’d say, was either D.C. with the Quakers or building homes for habitat in the Upper Ninth with my dad.

What did you carry with you?

I had two bags; a backpack and a waist pack. The backpack had a ridiculous amount of pockets, but each one was filled — tiny umbrella, garbage bags, leatherman, mace, lighters, bug spray, chargers of all kinds and more.

I had a GPS and laptop inside, along with my toiletries and clothes. My waist pack stored my camera, voice recorder, cell phone, wallet and, to be really specific, hand sanitizer.

In the airplane, I had a stock of food, a small generator, and aviation maps/charts for the entire country.

How did you really get around?

Aside from flying, of course, once I was on the ground, I used all sorts of transportation— my three speed collapsible bike, buses, trains, ferries, taxis, occasionally rental cars and — I don’t like to admit it – a hitched ride or two.

Weren’t you afraid for your safety?

I realized I was a target in every way. I am young, I am a woman, I was alone on a bike, and to top it off I was carrying a lot of expensive equipment. Knowing those factors against me, I tried to be careful, but not fearful. Fear would have stunted the entire trip.

What were your favorite articles?

Vermont, Florida, Louisiana, Rhode Island

Thank you so much for your questions. Check back soon to learn about the Skyfemme book or join the Skyfemme Facebook Group to get an email update.

Good luck in your own adventures!

– Skyfemme and Kilo

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