KW_COUNTER, there is a nice country airport here in Trona, about 100yds wide and im guessing 3-4000 ft long? big though, and prob about 2-3 planes a day land, other than that i fly at the local county mixing strip

see pic!
High plains, i learned the same except i had no instructor, i basicly went through the same steps you just mentioned, i dont know how i got thru it but it was miraculous, but i do still have my alpha trainer and its in decent shape, im now on my 6th plane and only destroyed one, doing ok, thanks for your support for us small town guys