Dropping in for chili

Sometimes a good bowl of chili is worth a long flight.

On April 27, Carbon County native Dennis Koontz and about 15 pilots and friends from the Denver area flew eight small airplanes to Shively Field with a goal in mind—To sample an amazing, unable-to-be-replicated pork green chili, which has its recipe kept secure at the Hotel Wolf.

Although the recipe now sits at the Wolf, the spicy chili originated and was first served by Koontz’ father, Bill Koontz, who owned the “Highland’s Chicken Shack” in Walcott with his wife, Ruth. The restaurant sat near Exit 235, where travelers turn...