Overview

Embark on a captivating journey through the skies with Kathryn Krotz-Finn. This memoir chronicles the extraordinary life of a woman pilot whose love affair with aviation began in the rugged beauty of Minnesota's famed Arrowhead region. Kathryn's tale is interwoven with the legacy of her father, Clarence Krotz, a World War II bomber pilot. Together, the Krotz family builds a seaplane base and resort on Devil Track Lake in Cook County, setting the stage for a lifetime of adventure in the air. Against the backdrop of a family-owned Piper J-3 Cub, Kathryn defies societal norms of her time, earning her pilot's license and continuing to soar through the skies today in that very same beloved plane. Beyond a personal narrative, Chasing the North Wind contributes to the celebration of Cook County's 75 years of aviation. This milestone, reached in 2023, marks a testament to the transformative power of flight in transportation, recreation, and the enduring beauty it brings to the lives of those touched by its wings. Although an officially decommissioned airport, Skyport's history is a legacy worth remembering. Join Kathryn and her yellow Piper Cub on this timeless voyage, where the wind whispers tales of courage, family, and the boundless freedom found in the open skies.

Full Product Details

9798218257729

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Chasing the North Wind paints a well-deserved image of Kathy Krotz-Finn, an exceptional woman [with a] lifelong love affair with aviation. Who can resist a well-told story of flying a J-3 Cub by a person from the Boundary Waters region? A must-read for those with an interest in Minnesota's rich aviation history. I know that the Minnesota Pilots Association members will relish the tales of this woman flying in what still remains quite a wilderness."" -Randy Corfman, PresidentMinnesota Pilots Association ""I love the story of the Piper Pilot up north... What a woman!"" -Curt Brown, Freelance WriterMinneapolis Star TribuneMinnesota History ""[This] book is both of local interest and national importance in that [it] relates a story that is fairly uncommon in the aviation world-an industry that has only recently seen women in reasonable numbers. Kathy's story-notable in a time period that makes her rare indeed-needs to be told."" -Rodney Roy, PilotManager, Fixed Base Operations Grand Marais AirportVintage Aircraft Restoration Expert ""A must-read that brings the Krotz family history to life! This story is an inspiration. Learn about the family's challenges and celebrations while running a northwoods lodge, airport, and seaplane base in the late 1940s in northern Minnesota. We're honored to continue the legacy of celebrating aviation history here."" -Rachelle and Cory Christianson, OwnersSkyport Lodge and Resort, Devil Track Lake, Minnesota ""Kathy's story is a great example of the grand old days of northern Minnesota flying. The local history and aviation family stories are fun and bring the charm and lore of early Cook County back to life. Every pilot would love to have grown up with those memories and flying experiences."" -Mike Raymond, Owner of Red Pine Realty Certified Flight Instructor"

Author Information

A proud native of Cook County, Kathy was born into aviation. Her father, Clarence J. Krotz, a former WWII bomber pilot, built his own northwoods lodge, airport, and seaplane base on Devil Track Lake in northeastern Minnesota. Kathryn's mother, Dorothy, was equally talented and with three small girls to raise and a lodge and airport to help run, she and the girls formed a tight knit team that helped usher aviation into Minnesota's remote Arrowhead region. Whether sitting behind her father while he flew the vintage 1941 Piper J-3 Cub, or piloting the Cub by herself today, flying became and remains an important part of Kathryn's life. Today, she owns the Cub and enjoys flying around the Arrowhead region as often as she can. Kathryn and her husband, Doug, live on a small 15-acre rural homestead in Cook County near Grand Marais. Richard's lifelong fascination with small planes began when he made model planes as a child. Although never a pilot or plane owner, this interest continued throughout his professional 34-year career in public relations and philanthropy. Whenever possible, he logged many hours of flying both for pleasure and work in small aircraft. Richard is retired and lives in southern Minnesota with his wife, Peggy.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available