where theres a will theres a way!

Just some pattern work in cross-winds, but the amazing thing is that I'm able to fly at all. We live in the miraculous rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. It frequently rains all around us while we stay dry in this little oasis of good ceilings and dry weather. Gotta love it!

A spot quite close to home I've flown over hundreds of times, several in the last two weeks alone. Yesterday it seemed to jump out at me and holler "land me you fool"! The only excuse I have for neglecting it is I bet in a while the vegetation gets too tall, we'll see as now that I have it in my roster it will be on my hit list on a routine basis. About 6K, and just enough rocks to make it interesting. I approached over the sagebrush, from the left, and uphill along the ridge line, landing short of the big white rock by about 45'. The landing rollout from touchdown was 75 paces with very light braking, took off to the right.

Had a great time yesterday flying with the family down to Hooper for lunch and a soak. It was a great day for smooth mountain flying.

Hooper


Sand dunes and mountains.


A great part of CO.


Crossing near Hayden Pass


Royal Gorge Bridge


Cripple Creek/Victor gold mine

Matt hat bridge looks scary!!! I'd much rather fly over it than drive over it!

Beautiful pictures as always, Matt! Looks like a cool trip.

Had a camp out at Gravelly Valley with Justin last night. We had a good time! I took my bike with me and rode it 5 miles up and 5 miles down Hull Mountain road. You can take it 12 miles to the top for a total of 5000ft of elevation gain. I was too lazy for that.

mountainmatt wrote:Royal Gorge Bridge

That's an impressive looking piece of engineering! Two-laner? What's the span?

hotrod180 wrote:

mountainmatt wrote:Royal Gorge Bridge

That's an impressive looking piece of engineering! Two-laner? What's the span?

It's is impressive no doubt (glad the fires didn't destroy it). It's much bigger/deeper than one may think (I took the shot passing over at 13,000ft msl). It's fun to stroll across on a windy day! Worth checking out if you're ever in the area.

http://royalgorgebridge.com/index.php/r ... enu-item-8

If you're into rafting, some of the best whitewater in Colorado flows right beneath it too. In my past life as a raft guide, the Gorge was always my favorite trip to row or paddle.

Deschutes river canyon for a little fishing this afternoon. Had to get some flying in before the rain returns tomorrow

Nice picture, is that the Bull Run Airstrip?

I got to try my hand at firebombing last week for the first time, flying an Air Tractor At802. Here are some phone photos - not the best quality.




End of the day with the smoke in the background.

Good work noel, where abouts was that fire?

DrifterDriver wrote:Good work noel, where abouts was that fire?

In the Pilaga scrub just south of Narrabri. Burnt about 30000 hectares.

Got out in the 180 for the first time since November. Had to bring it for its annual inspection.
How many towers can you count?


If you look closely you can see the mountains. Love mornings like this when the air is cool, smooth, and clear and you can see the mountains.


Felt great to be up!

David

51C170 wrote:

DrifterDriver wrote:Good work noel, where abouts was that fire?

In the Pilaga scrub just south of Narrabri. Burnt about 30000 hectares.

ahhh thought I recognized it! as slim says, theres something in the piliga! though this time its big its red and its hot!

Glad to hear you're back in the air David!

Rory and I took my wife's friends out flying around the lakes.

the crew







Mike warming up the 701

Flyhound wrote:Just some pattern work in cross-winds, but the amazing thing is that I'm able to fly at all. We live in the miraculous rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. It frequently rains all around us while we stay dry in this little oasis of good ceilings and dry weather. Gotta love it!

That is crazy, so does that pocket stay put and the clouds kinds of move around that little pocket?