For those of you who have often wondered about that airplane in the hanger at Meyer Ranch....Sunday will be your last chance to see it take off. Just spoke with Norm Jr and he tells me that the plane is heading for Gunnison Sunday morning.
She will remain in the family so that is good.
http://www.285bound.com/Forums/video.php?page=10
285bound will be there Sunday morning to get a final video of her final flight.
It will be a sad moment to see her leave. I wish I had been around to see her leave piloted by Norm Sr. I suggested that Norm get some gig canvas and have a plane painted on it and hang it in front of the hanger so we would all think it was still there. We had a good laugh about that.
Here is a nice article I found about Meyer International Airport.
OX5 Aviation Pioneers Enjoy Fellowship in Conifer Sep '06
By Charles W. Holmes
Photo By Charles W. Holmes
Photo By Charles W. Holmes
The Rocky Mountain Wing of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers held their annual picnic on Sunday, August 13, at the “Norm Meyer International Airport.”
To some of us, the long drive to the area of Conifer isn't convenient, but is rewarded by the scenic highway and, eventually, the sight of the historic old yellow stage coach station on the right side of the road. If there was any doubt that this was the place, a look at Norm Meyer's "garage" showed the cowl and prop of a Cessna.
The Rocky Mountain Wing of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers held its annual picnic on Sunday, August 13, at the "Norm Meyer International Airport" at Conifer (land uphill, take off downhill—but not without his specific permission). We're always happy to meet there, in this wonderful pace, and with all of the food brought by members and prepared on the grill by our glorious leader, Bob Taylor. Norm, a retired Continental Airlines captain, is always a gracious host and loves this type of punishment. The previous day, he hosted about 60 retired Continental Airlines employees.
A little info about the history of Meyer Ranch and the Open Space.
By Linda Wood, Conifer
Meyer Ranch Park provides the perfect setting for an enjoyable hike or family picnic. The large, grassy meadows and heavily forested slopes have been a community landmark for many years.
History
The park is named after Norman F. and Ethel E. Meyer, former owners of the park site. The Meyers purchased the ranch in 1950 and used it mainly for grazing and haying. The park site has a rich and colorful history.
Duncan McIntyre and his family homesteaded the land by 1870. Louis Ramboz bought the McIntyre property in 1883 and had the present ranch house built in 1889. He worked the ranch for hay, timber and cattle until 1912. Legend has it that the ranch served as the winter quarters for animals of the P. T. Barnum Circus for several years in the late 1880's. Interestingly, when Norman Meyer was remodeling the house in 1995, he found a board with this inscription, "Circus Town, 1889".
A portion of what is now Meyer Ranch was used in the early 1940's for a ski hill. Remnants of the ski area are still visible at the upper end of the park, which is now a forested aspen grove.
Visitors to Meyer Ranch Park can enjoy picnicking, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. The trail system features a series of loops to accommodate all hiking abilities. The outer loop goes to the top overlook and appeals to hardy hikers, while the easier lower loops are ideal for novices.
The lush meadows and aspen groves support a myriad of colorful wildflowers, such as columbine, wood lily, shooting star, lady slippers, Indian paintbrush, larkspur, showy daisy and iris.
Meyer Ranch Park also is home to abundant wildlife, including deer and elk. Hunting and overnight camping are not permitted in the park.
Please note: The Meyers still own and reside in the historic Victorian home adjacent to the park on the north side of Highway 285. Please respect their privacy.
Hanging against flocked, scarlet-colored wallpaper in the study of Conifer resident Norm Meyer is a quote from Charles Lindbergh.
It rests near framed photos of Meyer as a young pilot who flew 35 years for Continental Airlines and begins with the words: "Science, freedom, beauty, adventure, what more could you ask of life? Aviation combined all the elements I loved …"
Yet that vision seems only partly true for Meyer, who lived his life as pilot and rancher—equal parts heaven and earth. For it was the earthbound portion that would secure his place in local history.
Meyer landed in Conifer in 1950 when he purchased the Midway House, a five-bedroom, two-story residence on the north end of Conifer that dated to 1889.
He found it on a road trip with his family, when his young daughter Cara, who was born prematurely and suffered the occasional fainting spell, prompted the family to pull into the Midway House driveway to tend to her. In front of them, on a post, was a small "for sale" sign.
The house had no plumbing, no electricity and no foundation—just a few rocks on the ground where Louis Ramboz had built the structure from the ground up 61 years earlier.
We have been to last year and this years dog walk though IMHS on both the Motorhead Ranch and the Meyers Ranch. Beautiful ranches and scenery. If you (readers) haven't done this, adopt or borrow a dog and enjoy the unique opportunity. :rundog:
