Well guys, I have to admit to a certain sense of joy at the change of season here in AZ. Today the high was 85, and it was 74 when we took the attached photos. I don't mean to gloat, but all of the postings from the Pacific Northwest this summer had me really bummed, as it was usually over 100 here. (Many times even at midnight.) Life sucks when it's that hot.
Anyway, as a former Washingtonian, I know it is starting to get gloomy, and cold, and gray, so to lift your spirits, I give you the first in a series of photos from sunny AZ.
This is a strip at the North end of Lake Pleasant, about 40nm NW of PHX. It is huge, but regretably, torn up by constant quad and four-by use. There is a 600ft long smooth area that is satisfactory for airplanes. In one of the photos my friend Roger is walking down the good area, my plane is to the right. I hope you'll forgive me for including pictures of my plane, I'll try to keep them to a minimum.
Jeff

Hey there 'Bump, whereabouts were you located when you lived up here in God's country?

Eric (ex-Californicator, clean for 13 years now!)

I grew up in Snohomish, and have been dry now for 13 years. The webbing between my fingers took about four years to go away. Sadly,I miss the frogs at night; not many friendly creatures in AZ.
I thought Port Townsend was in the rain shadow?
Hey Jr. are you in EAT? I went to school on the east side.

Hey, Jeff, did you knock those fire rings down that were on the south end of the runway while you were there? How deep are the ATV ruts now?

Doug,
Atv ruts are about 8in deep, I think it's actually ATV tracks that gave the monsoon rain an easy track to follow.
Jr.,
I graduated from CWU in 1990. There used to be a pizza place across the street from my dorm. I think it was called Frazzini's, is it still there? Are there any places left that have beer for a quarter on Wed? I haven't been back since I graduated.

I used to go down to Turf, near Lake Pleasant and fly gliders. One time I rented a J 3 and toured around that area, didn't land at that strip but looked it over. Someday I'll get back that way and look around some more. Haven't flown gliders for too long. Some say we have God's country up here, but it is an interesting change to see your area.......Ron

You're right, Jeff, PT is in the rain shadow of the Olympics. I live about 12 miles SW of town, and about 7 SW of the airport. Kinda funny, quite often in the winter when it's gloomy yet dry at my house I can drive south on Hwy 101 and when I hit about the 5-mile mark it's like someone turned on a spigot.
Sequim, about 15 miles NW of me is really in the rain shadow, we call it the banana belt. I think they get about 17" of rain a year, compared to Port Townsend's 24" ,Seattle's 32", and Forks' 120" or so. When the old homesteaders started farming there they had to build an extensive irrigation ditch system. Sequim still has an annual Irrigation Festival. That's something most non-residents would never associate with rainy western Washington.

Eric

Great pics, Jeff. Don't apologize for including pics of your bird! Photos with airplanes parked in funny places are the best.

Can't wait to visit my folks this winter (after I finally get my airplane back). Haven't been to Red Creek in years, but really want to go back. I've been to the Lake Pleasant strip years ago as well.
I asked before, but has anyone out there read "Flying With David"? It is a bittersweet book of flying adventures in AZ. The subject of the book, David, was kindof like an uncle to me growing up. A great read... although it is difficult to come by unless you contact the author, Michael Ellis, directly. [email protected]

Matt

Haven't read the book. PM me when you're flying and I'll so you the sights