Went back up and played around some more. Had bit higher ceiling so i was able to get on top of the field.

Did some pattern work at Nenana to refresh for the ferry flight. Then dodged showers around Tanana Flats for an hour and got some beer at Hoodoo.

It was a good day

Flew up to Ludington Michigan

I flew Mike and I in our Murphy Rebel to the New Mexico Pilots Association Mystic Bluffs Fly-in on August 22, 2015. This fly-in was organized by Clay Phillips for the NM Pilots Association. Thanks to the generosity of Cynthia Crawford, the owner of Mystic Bluffs and her friends and neighbors, we get to experience this beautiful gem of an airstrip once a year! We also appreciate Perry Null of Gallup and his friends who bring burritos and pretty things from his Trading Post. Pilots from Arizona, New Mexico, and as far away as Omaha, NE showed up for this fly-in. Amenities at the airstrip include a ramada, picnic table, and campfire ring. Some pilots took advantage of the invitation to camp overnight at this beautiful location. Had a nice visit with rezrider and many other friends (estimate close to 2 dozen airplanes).



The Lineup



The Rebel

Brooks Peninsula

Past Tofino and Vargas Island, past Nootka, even past Rugged Point there's the unique Brooks Peninsula, north end Vancouver Island. Only part not covered by glaciers in the last ice age.

Our beach of choice on the north side was Drift Whale Beach. Hot dog feast from the grill, then back in the saddle to round Cape Cook and Solander Island. One of those three days a year when it wasn't blowing 40 knots. Checked out Jacobsen beach on the south side but after three dummy runs and checking the sand decided it was too sloped and too soft. Stopped at Rugged Point to lick our wounds. Skunked on the glass ball treasure hunt.


Adding our tracks to the plentiful wolf tracks. No cougar, no bear.



Aerial of Drift Whale Beach looking SW towards Cape Cook.



Civilized. Chairs with backs, table, propane grill, toasted buns.






Rugged Point

I've been parked at Tofino for the past couple of days.. Thinking of heading over to Vargas island tomorrow if I can get away from the family. I also want to fly past bamfield to see if the old airstrip is useable again.. I've been hearing rumours that it may be useable again.

mmartin1872 wrote:I've been parked at Tofino for the past couple of days.. Thinking of heading over to Vargas island tomorrow if I can get away from the family. I also want to fly past bamfield to see if the old airstrip is useable again.. I've been hearing rumours that it may be useable again.

I used the bamfield strip a few times last year, it is OK but best if you know a local to connect with owner if staying overnight

I wasn't planning on even landing, was mainly curious if it was there still. Or if the old/new owner had completely deactivated it. After all the legal limbo that it was in a few years back.

Karmutzen: Those are great pictures of some absolutely stunning settings!

I had to content myself with a flight to the Hillsboro, OR area to visit my mom in an assisted living facility. I stayed with my brother out by Cornelius, so I decided to land at 4S4 rather than KHIO. It made me smile briefly before heading in to see mom. It stinks when parents get really old. Part of the scare is the preview of my potential future. Dang, I'd better fly while I can!

Arriving in Cornelius, OR in clear skies:


Short final for 4S4. I'm high because I wasn't sure if there were wires between the power poles in front of the runway. It turns out the wires go underground in the stretch crossing the runway, but better safe than sorry,.


This is the last shot before the smoke from fires in the Cascades blew into the area. It was sweet while it lasted.


Here's what is was like flying back today. Visibility was 4 miles, but that isn't far enough to rely on see and avoid alone. I had flight following the whole way back.

Just checked skyvector, looks like viz is pretty much back to normal in Puget Sound & the Willamette Valley. Still smoky in eastern WA though, 2-3 miles in haze at some airports..

hotrod180 wrote:Just checked skyvector, looks like viz is pretty much back to normal in Puget Sound & the Willamette Valley. Still smoky in eastern WA though, 2-3 miles in haze at some airports..

Eastern Washington looks like arse now.

On and off IFR here, with inflight visibility worse than forcast/expected.

Headed to Nehalem Bay. The smoke is gone and the coast is clear

Flew from tofino to texada to chilliwack today. . Think I might have seen karmutzen practicing on the gravel bars north of chilliwack heading west.

How's it go? Over the river and under the bridge?


"Are you taking a selfie?!"

Rainy Pass airstrip Alaska - didn't expect it to be so bumpy. Got launched into the air by a bump a few mph before minimum airspeed.

Cruising last night. Howard picked up a new Champ:



New underwing campground going in:

Few more with the small camera:

Followed my flying partner in his Stearman today to drop it off for the Madras airshow this weekend! It was smokey! The Warm Springs fire jumped the lines



CW

We did some paint work to G. Gordon Liddy's corvette. He stopped by the shop today to settle up on his bill and I ended up taking him for a ride around the neighborhood in my 180. Super nice guy.