Carrying around 300 pounds of extra weight in Iowa (is the "Field of Dreams"
still there?)

Yep, it's still in Dyersville, about a 2 hour motorcycle ride from
here. Each year when I take my kids cycle camping, we always try to
stop there. Each time we have, there's been a pick-up baseball game in
progress. It's a cool place. (Dyersville is also home of ERTL,
makers of metal die-cast airplanes, tractors and cars. There are a
couple of die-cast toy outlet stores in town that are a lot of fun to
visit.)

When you finally come out west you and Mary should stop here on the way.
Flight plan to land here with 1.5 hrs gas.
http://www.ruralnetwork.net/johnsoncreek/
Your 235 would be right at home here and the grass is kept like a golf
course. They even split wood for your campfire.

Sounds wonderful! Some day...

I know you don't see much difference in the handling of your Cherokee, but
that's because it's tactile flying qualities are low. My Cessna isn't much
better, but reducing weight significantly improves feel. A light airplane is
not only more fun to fly, but also safer. If you REALLY, TRULY were
concerned about fuel you'd install a fuel flow transducer and connect it to
the GPS. Once calibrated, these devices are uncannily accurate.

I believe you. (And we do have the JPI FS450 fuel-flow meter in the
plane. It's a nice gauge...)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"