I was disappointed at not being able to join the gang at Johnson Creek this year. Things just came together too late for me to confidently head over there, but I was able to take my dad on a fun flight to the Oregon coast on Father's Day. I was flying, so all was not lost. In fact, we had a great time and a fun mini-adventure.

Anyway, here's the pics:

Yes, I am a pilot. Can't you see the twinkle in my eye?


Hmmm...


The town of Powers...you can see the airport as the mowed strip in the distance. It's not really backcountry...more "sidecountry" as we call it in skiing when you step just out of bounds, but not very far:


The strip is in fine form...the grass was a little long, but very thin, light, and wispy:


Obligatory me+plane+location shot. I know I'm a poser but I'm trying to break the cycle.


Where's Heidi? It was like the Sound of Music over there.


I don;t know if there are fish in there, but I'm going to find out next time.


My good old dad... He loves to fly in and camp out here.


Cape Blanco, it's the westernmost point in the continental US:


The wind was whipping up white caps on the ocean. We were cruising down the coast at about 1,500 MSL but I climbed up when I realized the beach wasn't looking too appetizing for landing.


It was our maiden voyage together in the 170 that we've put so much work into the last couple years, and a great day with a guy I don't get to spend much time with doing the things we dream about. It made for a really great Father's Day.

I'm editing this to further geek it out. Let's add some images from Google Earth of my overlayed GPS track, which I downloaded from my Garmin eTrex Vista C. I'll be adding a How-To for making these soon:

The complete route, looking north:


The approach into Powers, looking SE:


A 360 over some ranch airstrips on the Rogue river, looking NE:

Zane:
It was inspiring to read about your Fathers Day trip with your dad. Nice photos! That's what it is all about. There is plenty of Backcountry flying to be had in Oregon. How about us planning a mini trip this summer?

Zane, I seem to recall you posting about Powers before-- I think you went to an ultralight fly-in there. Looks like a beautiful place. I'm glad you had the chance to fly there together with your dad, on father's day to boot!
In some ways, that "side country" is even more appealing than the back country, at least to me. Closer,lower, easier, and less dangerous -- I'm writing this right after reading about Berk's demise near Johnson Creek.

Eric

Bump for added geekage in the form of GPS track overlays.

Hey Z,

Thanks for the "bump". The pics are stellar. What a great way to spend Dad's Day...

M