Lands Inn
Description
Lands Inn is a new paragliding and hang gliding site located in the John Day Valley of eastern Oregon, between the towns of Kimberly and Dayville. The launch area is on the west-facing edge of a plateau overlooking the valley and the landing zone is a private grass airstrip owned by Tom and Carol Buce. The Cascade Paragliding Club has held two fly-ins at Lands Inn, the first in August 2001 and the second in June 2002. Distance records for the site are 35 miles by John Saltveit on a paraglider and 51 miles by Mike Tingey on a hang glider. The usual cross country route is SE to the town of John Day and beyond, but there has also been one flight NE to the town of Monument.
Link to the Lands Inn Web site http://www.landsinn.net
Getting There
From Portland drive east on I-84 to Biggs, go south on Highway 97 to Wasco, go SE on Highway 206 to Condon, go south on Highway 19 past Fossil and Spray and Kimberly. Between mile posts 118 and 119 turn left on the dirt road to Lands Inn. Five miles up the dirt road at the airport sign turn left. Approximate driving time from Portland is 4 hours.
From Bend drive to Prineville, go east on Highway 26 past Mitchell, then go north on Highway 19 toward Kimberly. Between mile posts 118 and 119 turn right on the dirt road to Lands Inn. Five miles up the dirt road at the airport sign turn left. Estimated driving time from Bend is 3 hours.
Accomodations
Camping is available on the property near the airstrip/landing zone. Lands Inn also offers bed & breakfast accomodations in rustic cabins. Lands Inn is off the electrical grid and uses solar energy to produce electricity. Propane is used to heat water for showers, so it's best to be frugal in the use of hot water. For reservations contact Tom and Carol Buce by phone at 541-934-2333 or by email at Landsinn@oregontrail.net.
Nearby Services
The nearest gas station and store is in Dayville about 12 miles south of the Lands Inn turnoff. The town of Kimberly is small and doesn't offer many services. If you're going to stay at Lands Inn and fly for a few days plan ahead and bring sufficient food, water and gas with you.
| Photos by Jeff Huey |
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| Lands Inn LZ view up toward launch, Ed Pitman's ultralight in front of the hangar |
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| View from launch down to airstrip and hangar |
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| John Kennelly launching |
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| In-flight shot showing gliders soaring the Lands Inn ridge, top landing plateau on the left |
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| In-flight shot of gliders soaring SE end of Lands Inn ridge |
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| In-flight shot looking NW down the John Day valley from the north end of the Lands Inn ridge |
