Waypoints | STOPS ALONG THE WAY
Amarillo, TX: AMA, TDW
The mountains of the southwest form a natural dividing line for pilots heading to or from Arizona or southern California. Fortunately, the eastern side of the mountains has one last haven of civilization at Amarillo, an ideal spot for an overnight stop, but not on our top 10 list of destinations, unless you’re visiting the American Quarter Horse Association, which is located here.
Amarillo’s best hotel is the Ambassador, just off I-40, which offers a free 15-minute shuttle to both airports, an indoor pool and a TGI Friday’s that stays open late, a beautiful sight for off-hour arrivals.
For finer dining, we highly recommend Macaroni Joe’s, conveniently located within walking distance of the Ambassador’s front door. You’ll find an exceptional menu and surprisingly fine wine list in an intimate setting, and enthusiastic manager Teri Webb makes sure guests feel comfortable and pampered.
The Ambassador staff is just as friendly and accommodating, and willing to shuttle stranded pilots to the mall, the movies, or just about anywhere else you need to go.
One local curiosity is the Big Texan Steak House, which features a “free” 72-oz. steak. The only string is that you have to down your entire meal, including the beef, potato and salad, in one hour or less.
Quick update: TDW is a non-towered airport, but it has two runways, which come in handy during Amarillo’s yearlong windy season. AMA has had for the last two years had just one; the charts and Facilities Directory said two, but runway 13/31 had been “under construction” for so long there wasn’t even a current NOTAM for it. At press time, AMA tower reported that 13/31 would be open by March.
Memphis, TN: MEM
This is a major hub for Federal Express and a great stopover on the way further South. Requesting 36R/18L or 9/27 will put you close to one of the best FBOs in the south, Wilson Air Center.
The late Kemmons Wilson, founder of the Holiday Inn hotel chain, created Wilson Air. This state-of-the-art facility claims the world’s largest aircraft canopy, beneath which Wilson’s line team warmly greets every aircraft. Each day features a different musical “theme” blasting from outdoor speakers installed beneath the canopy.
Memphis is home to Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion and the historic Sun Studio recording facility, where Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and other musical innovators helped give birth to rock ‘n’ roll. It is also home to the National Civil Rights Museum and the Pink Palace, which was once home to Clarence Saunders, founder of Piggly-Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store chain.
Stay away from the French Quarter, which has some nice restaurants, but a rather seedy hotel that’s in desperate need of renovation (though lots of pilots wind up staying there). Ask the Wilson desk crew to help you find nicer accommodations.
Also, be sure to tune in the ILS even on visual approaches to the three 18/36 runways. The straight-in approach is long and can be confusing with the parallel runways and all the cargo-laden Boeings lumbering in around you.
Frederick, MD: FDK
If you’re an antiques buff, you’ll quickly find there’s more to do in Frederick, Md., than stopping by AOPA headquarters to see what they’re doing with your $39 membership fee.
Not far from the relative “bustle” of AOPA-central, downtown Frederick is a charming little town filled with antique and collectible stores of all stripes. On a nice day, you can window-shop along the tree-lined streets of a friendly town where everybody seems to smile and say Hello.
Frederick makes a convenient, romantic weekend getaway for folks from busy cities like Chicago, New York or Boston.
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For the most romantic experience, stay at the Catoctin Inn on Buckeystown Pike, about 10 miles from the airport. This old-style bed and breakfast features a modern conference center with up-to-date rooms (equipped with private bathrooms) behind the historic main house. The restaurant is outstanding, and features a sumptuous breakfast.
A mile or so up the road from the Catoctin Inn is the excellent restaurant at the Inn at Buckeystown. Another local favorite is Dutch’s Daughter, a casual dining room featuring some of the best crab and seafood dishes in Maryland. The Crab Supreme easily lives up to its name. 
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"No Way! " Point
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Gila Bend, AZ: E63
You’ve got to have a really full bladder or an engine fire to consider touching down at this desolate desert strip. But you won’t even find a working toilet at this airport, which is little more than a deserted cinderblock building; it has no windows or doors, much less weather services or a pilot’s lounge. The trick here is to get back in your plane and take off before the zombies start wandering in from the desert.
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