Coming back from Plains MT, after staying the night in Twin Bridges (best pilot's lounge ever.....not real fancy but just right, killer view from the picnic table in front, quiet, short bike ride to town OR the big bomber courtesy car, with the keys in the ash tray, classic small town Montana airport hospitality and common sense in this post 911, world), MUCH APPRECIATED!
Full fuel, dead calm winds, absolutely perfect blue skies, and a 5:30 AM launch, it just doesn't get any better then that. And my very loose flight route home (make that extremely loose) would take me over some of the best scenery in Idaho and Montana.
Gravelly Range (spelling correct, google it) I want to drive it sometime plus ride it with my e bike, but for now just have to make do flying it low level. The road was still gated shut, so I could really cut loose as I had it all to myself. I was at 8850' when I took this pic, to give an idea of how high it is up there. I flew it 50/50......50 mph ind. and about 50' high most of the way, and lot lower some places, the S-7S excels at this even at this altitude and to an old ultralight pilot I'm comfortable there. Then West Jellystone and a quick (thanks to the folding e bike) ride into town for breakfast and a ride around town to look at all the tourists. Back at the plane I had what was probably an actionable event:I exposed myself to a female ramp worker
A 180 had just landed, and while it was taxing in to one side of me, I saw her in the electric golf cart ride over to the same side he was at. I took the opportunity to quickly "drain the sump" on the opposite side of my plane. BUT, while the equipment was still hanging out, silently (damn silent electric vehicles, especially with a 180 nearby) she appears about 40' away. There was no question she got an eye full, such as it is. Lots of coffee beforehand, a noisy big engined airplane, a totally silent but fast moving golf cart, with a female on it, and a 2+ hour flight ahead all combined to allow this to happen. "That's my story, Judge, and I'm sticking to it!"
