We are nearly a mile above the winter earth with highway six and road 30 equidistant to our right and left. The two roads, so similar, with railroads paralleling them, stretch away to the east, ever-separating like the two arms of a "Y."

Just behind us and falling rapidly away is Valparaiso and its Urschel Field, with friends Howard Clark and his pilot-wife waving from the runway.

Outlined against the sky and the clear windshield is Bog Hogue's head; his shoulders moving slightly from time to time as he pilots the plane. It is a beautiful December afternoon, bright blue overhead. the indescribable crystalline whiteness of the snowy farmlands below are broken only by patches of Hoosier forest, the winding rivers endlessly seeking their levels, clusters of tiny black farm-buildings, like pepper on a tablecloth.

Here and there the dark blur of a village or city, makes an interesting blot upon this perfect pattern of nature. Ahead we can see Walkerton, the orderly rows we know to be Kingsbury; Tyner and its railroad slashing diagonally from Laporte to Plymouth is faintly visible.

The blue-gray of Lake of the Woods is just over the nose of the plane. To the right, we are flying east, a polished mirror on the horizon is Lake Maxintuckee. Up here we are sailing on a 40 miles per hour gale, which is pushing us to Warsaw on a ride as smooth as silk. We should be circling Municipal airport in less than half-an-hour.

It is perfect!

Not so, coming up here this morning! Starting from Warsaw, I was flying with Bob riding. The clearness of the sky masked the hidden power of the westerly wind which is helping us so much to return. It was too strong for our light airplane to make much headway against.

Climbing to two thousand feet over Warsaw we spent 10 minutes before Atwood passed beneath us. Seeking a better altitude, with more favorable wind, we dropped down "on the deck," flying in the turbulent air at 500 feet. Skimming the Pennsylvania railroad and U. S. 30, we swayed from side to side bumped roughly up and down--but made progress against the western gale.

Peculiar to these strong west winds is the gusty roughness near the earth. Like churning waves on a whipping sea. As you climb higher, the winds become stronger, but they become smoother and steadier. So traveling west to Valpo Sunday morning, we bucked them at a low altitude, taking the bumps for the sake of forward speed. We would slowly gain on and pass the cars and trains below, envying them their smooth ride, as they no doubt looked up and wondered from where did we come, where we were going?

Coming back, as we are now, toward the east, we can take advantage of this high, smooth wind and this exhilarating altitude. visibility is fine, we are making wonderful time. For sheer beauty, this trip cannot be surpassed. Today, I'm glad I fly. I would hate to die without having once enjoyed the marvels of the earth--from this vantage point in the sky. I am only sorry I cannot paint for you the full picture.

Sweepstakes
The New Year's day sweepstakes at which the Daily Times Sky Writing Trophy will be awarded are being changed slightly so the deadline for entries has been extended to December 25. Every pilot entering will be contacted and given a full explanation of how this race which is not a race--works. Blanks are available at Municipal Airport and Smith Field. Bill Warren will furnish gas to the contestants for free. It will not be until next Thursday night when the executive board of the Warsaw Aero club meets that we will know for certain whether pilots will fly solo or with a navigator--but don't worry about it. Enter now and if you want to team up later or if you have to split up later, either way make sure you are in.

As has always been our policy in these airmeets, the Sweepstakes race is not a dangerous thing. It is actually three-sided cross-country flight, where speed, economy of fuel consumption, flying skill and navigating precision, all are contributing factors in finishing in the top brackets. Any plane can win, but only a pilot worthy of the inscription on the trophy: "Awarded for Flying Excellence."

Warsaw Daily Times Mon. Dec. 15, 1947