Aussie Visitor to Mentone

[MechFx]

Hi All,
very new to Gyros and hoping ($ and time dependant) to visit PRA Mentone in July on a fun and fact finding mission. Visited with Echo in Parkes NSW last weekend to check out a Gyro close up for the first time. Very impressed. He recommended this forum as a good point of contact. Any hints on making a short visit more worthwhile ??? Accom, travel, what to expect etc..??
Any help would be greatly appreciated.... Art.

ps I've definately noticed that Gyro folk are very passionate about their flying and what they fly, good to see in my book.

[C. Beaty]

Mentone is something like Alice Springs, Art; in the middle of nowhere. I expect Alice Springs has airline connections; Mentone doesn’t.

Probably the simplest thing is to rent a car in Chicago and drive the ~150 miles to Mentone.

There are plenty of motels on major highways 10-15 miles from Mentone. Accommodations are reasonably priced. There should be a listing of area motels in the next issue of the PRA magazine.

Mentone is in the heart of Amish country. The Amish are a fundamentalist religious sect that believes internal combustion engines and electricity are the works of the Devil. But steam engines are OK. You’ll see lots of horses and buggies.

[barnstorm2]

Mech,

I hope you can make it to the convention!

Last year was my first visit to Mentone. I don't have any hotel recommendations for you but I do want to warn you not to bother with Sunday as everyone is busy packing up to leave.

My girlfriend and I went up for Saturday and Sunday and Saturday was very worthwhile but Sunday was a miss. This year I plan on attending Friday and Saturday. I would spend the whole week there if I could get the time off.

[MechFx]

Great advice, keep it coming...... would love to see the CoG calcs for a steam powered Gyro !!!

[Dean_Dolph]

You can also fly into Indianapolis and drive North on U.S. 31 from there. When driving from Indianapolis, the drive thru the Kokomo area is a little tedious because of so many stop lights; especially if driving during peak traffic times.

There are numerous places to stay in Rochester and Warsaw. I've stayed in both places and it seems easier to drive to the Mentone Airport from Rochester. However, Warsaw is larger and offers more places to spend your eating dollar. This is info that I saved from last year

In Rochester your choices are:

Amarinda's Inn - 574-223-8325
Comfort Inn - 574-223-7300
Rose Dale Motel - 574-223-3185
Super 8 Motel - 574-224-8080

In Warsaw your choices include:

Dollar Inn - 574-267-3344
Economy Inn - 574-269-3031
Hampton Inn - 574-269-6655
Holiday Inn - 574-268-1600
Ramada Plaza - 574-269-2323
Super 8 Motel - 574-268-2888

[MechFx]

Great help thanks, exactly what i was after....

Art