We flew down to the Chicken Strip yesterday with Buzzlatka and Piperpainter for the 170 fly-in. No 170's were there when we showed up though! Two others were there the night before but gone by 9:15am when we showed up. We flew over to Panamint Springs for lunch and met one of the other 170 drivers there. Panamint Springs is a good place to stop to get something to eat in the middle of the desert. They have rooms available and a general store as well. It's about 30 miles or so south of the Chicken Strip. We camped at the Chicken Strip last night and flew out this morning. The winds over the Sierras were looking nasty so Buzzlatka and I decided to fly south in search of lower terrain and lighter winds. It took an extra hour and a half of flying but we made it out via Inyokern and Lake Isabella. Bryan just put on his O2 and climbed over everything at 18k... Damn Mooneys!

EDIT: I organized my pictures on photobucket and it ruined all of my links so here is the link to my Chicken Strip pics... http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/ ... n%20Strip/

Awsome Trip

Thanks for Posting.

Rob,

What do ya'll use for tiedowns?

wtxdragger wrote:Awsome Trip

Thanks for Posting.

Rob,

What do ya'll use for tiedowns?

The Chicken Strip has some chain tie downs available, that's what I used although I brought my own too. Buzzlatka used "The Claw" tie down system. We had a good laugh this morning because you can pull the claw out of the ground with one hand pretty easily. The ground there is very loose and gravelly. Any one who goes there should just use the tie downs that are already there.

And if the tie downs are aleady in use, then do not self insure.

Tim

What a great weekend! Rob of course mentioned the important stuff about what we did, it was a great time. And if you enjoy "openness" and "relaxed-calm" people you are bound to find them at the hot springs! Panamint had pretty good food and a great view at lunch! I'd say the panamint was far smoother than chickenstrip. As Rob mentioned I did take the easy route down there at 15.5K and on O2. On the way back I had planned to cross over at Puite Pass and got as high as 17900ft when a 1200-1500 FPM decent started. I couldnt' do that as soon I found myself at 14000ft. So I had to fly south quite a ways before crossing over directly to the valley then I headed up. I landed at Gustine for the good price on gas and continued home. As I looked at the weather I could see that if I wanted to fly at 4000ft I'd have to fly IFR due to weather, this was the first time I was really excited about clouds, not because I want some experience. I have that! But moisture....wash some of that dirt off!!! Sure enough I was in the clouds about 15 min after takeoff till 5 min from landing. I couldn't complain as it really cleaned the plane haha. It was a great weekend and I look forward to the next adventure!

Yosemite

Half Dome

Spectacular @ 15500Ft



Coyote Flats

High above the strip & hot springs

All of us plus a guy from LA in his 182.

Steve in the Flare at Panamint Springs


Rob on Short final at Panamint Springs



The line up

Jesse and a great view!

Sunset at the Strip

Mt. Whitney is in that gagle somewhere!

Terrific photo shoot. Happy pilots and copilots and especially happy dogs. Do you have worries about dogs and props? Do they smarten up after awhile?

I always hold onto my dogs collar whenever an airplane is starting up or taxiing by. Haven't had a problem with her yet.

robw56 wrote:I always hold onto my dogs collar whenever an airplane is starting up or taxiing by. Haven't had a problem with her yet.

We used to take a Cocker with us everywhere. She was a natural born flyer. This knucklehead I have now needs lots more training before she can be off lead just about anywhere, but especially near airstrips.

EB

Just so you guys know there is ATT cell coverage at the chicken strip. No cell at panamint but wifi. Gave me a warm fuzzy knowing I had cell coverage with the 5 year old in tow.

sunrise



campsite


the group


the springs


the strip sock and springs


panamint


the windsock at chicken strip

Thanks for the report. Looked fun!

Hey there Rob, Stacey, Bryan & Buzzlatka

Thanks for the trip photos. Great flying, camping & ohhh that breakfast looks good!! Hope you got over for a soak! Not too many of the 170 club made it out there?? I would love to have joined you...but was just in Saline a couple weeks back...and with you all at Gravelly Valley last weekend, sure enjoyed that!




And heading on down to Baja California next weekend.....









So I had to take care of some projects around the house this weekend....It was a little unsettled weather up here anyway!
Look forward to crossing paths in the future!

NVflyer Dave

Once again. Awesome pictures and trip report! As always, thanks for sharing.

NVflyer wrote:Hey there Rob, Stacey, Bryan & Buzzlatka

Thanks for the trip photos. Great flying, camping & ohhh that breakfast looks good!! Hope you got over for a soak! Not too many of the 170 club made it out there?? I would love to have joined you...but was just in Saline a couple weeks back...and with you all at Gravelly Valley last weekend, sure enjoyed that!

I tried my best to re-create your Huevos Rancheros. Forgot the sour cream but added jalapeno cheese sausage. It turned out good


Have fun in Baja.

Rob,

Looks like you did a fine job!!! I'm proud to be your culinary inspiration, and I look forward to us combining our chef skills at the next fly-in.

I'll be working on my fish taco presentation this coming week.....I'll get um tuned up for you guys...Margaritas included!!





Always looking forward to the next get-together.....I'm planning on being back at the Chicken Strip April 1.....after brunch at Furnace Creek & a road cycle work-out!

Feel free to join if you like.....

NVflyer...Dave

Looks good Dave! Don't forget there will be a fly-in at Kern Valley March 31st and April 1st. We have that on our schedule.

Hey Rob,

Didn't know about Kern Valley for the March 30 - April 1 weekend. Is there a calendar for the fly-ins.....or do I just need to stay in the loop? Maybe I'll fly in to Kern Valley for Saturday-Sunday....get my cycle spin around Lake Isabella mid-day Sunday....make for Saline Chicken Strip Sunday afternoon thru Monday.....soak my tired muscles?

Sounds like a good plan Dave. Here is the thread on the Kern Valley Fly In. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9529&p=124625&hilit=kern+valley#p124625

NVflyer wrote:

That beachside cabana is a sweet looking set-up. What kind of fish is that? Probably tasty but it's sure wierd looking.

hotrod150 wrote:

NVflyer wrote:[mg]http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery/albums/userpics/14270/normal_DSCN0950.jpg[/img]

That beachside cabana is a sweet looking set-up. What kind of fish is that? Probably tasty but it's sure wierd looking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahi-mahi

Thanks Hotrod150,

The old trailer works out pretty well.....it's kind of developed over the years of travel to Baja. It stays right where it's sitting in that photo......only thing, when big storms come rolling up the Sea of Cortez....the surf is right on the tires. So far it has not floated away??? It's one of those things that if you lost it all..to the sea, a bandito or whatever..ya say.....loved that while I had it, but didn't cost enough to loose any sleep over....the folks that go down there and develop-build real property, always seem to have a lot of money invested and a big worry-ing thing going on.
Like EB responded.....the fish is what we call Dorado....way fun to catch & great eating as well, we also get Yellow Tail....a type of tuna, same thing ....great sport fish and fine eating. Both of these prefer the water to be warm....they show up around May and head back south late October. We get all kinds of Rock Fish, red crustations..the lobster type, NOT the "on your body type", and shellfish... year round...both spearing and catching.
Not sure if many of the BCP group is interested in aviating into Mexico...but would be happy to host a little fly-in there at my little shack some day?
Sneaking out of N. Nevada this afternoon....weather willing, for a week down south. Well check in with a new post and report when I get back.

NVflyer Dave