And today...

Day 4, wild horses and fishing in Alberta.

I didn’t fly anywhere but I watched my Son Reese solo today. Brought back lots of memories! Even after 20,000+ hrs I remember my solo like it was a half hour ago. His passenger days of riding in the backcountry are soon to be over. Eventually after thorough checkouts in our Cub/C-140 he can fly me to our hunting/fishing spots.

Congratulations to your son.

Day 5, then going home. Wolf lake, kayak and fishing...

This isn't backcountry but it is off the beaten path.

My family and I just spent the better part of a week at this place: Washington Island Wisconsin (2P2). It's an island in Lake Michigan accessible by ferry or plane, but not by road. There's enough culture to keep a family busy for a few days, but no franchises or strip malls. Folks in town will deliver bikes to the airport, and you can get around pretty well on one for a few days.

Plus we beat the heat for a week!

The storms of last week are now passed and we are in the idyllic days of Summer. So went and got the Cub back in the water.

Dad driving the 48 around






almost home:


Then evening rides for guests, boat traffic is WAY increased this year :





Summer flying...

This week is to perfect to miss flying, so yet another lakes patrol last night after supper:








Kiddo gulls now being kicked out of the nests and looking for handouts...





and back again.

We have had some amazing weather in BC.

Hit four beaches on the westcoast of Vancouver Island in one afternoon.
Vargas



Hesquiat



Nootka falls


And an unwell whale


Nootka Ferrer Point

Cool pictures and nice truck!

Had a great flight from Pincher Creek to Vancouver. Tires didn’t touch back country, but flew throw some great areas!

Great shot, that last one, I'd call that a smug look, and rightfully so! Very nice.

I too have been looking at some snow, still. I even hiked down after landing above it and made a few snowballs but there was no one to throw them at

I can close my eyes and smell that whale. I can tell that you are taking the picture from up wind, your eyes aren't watering.

goldfinch wrote:I can close my eyes and smell that whale. I can tell that you are taking the picture from up wind, your eyes aren't watering.

Yes nice onshore breeze. There were literally waves of vapour rising off it and liquid running off it. Nasty.

That’s awesome that you could land there!!! And yeah I could only imagine how overwhelming that whale would have been!

Was hoping to make it over to the island on this trip, but had to wait for next time as wife came up with too many excuses. Lol. Heading back to Edmonton Wednesday but will let you Vancouver guys know next time I’m around and maybe I can tag along for some mild backcountry trips.

Hey Daedeluscan, last photo, I’ve fished a lot between Catala and Ferrer Point, big springs. Can’t picture a landable beach nearby, it’s all pretty rocky. Where was that?

Karmutzen wrote:Hey Daedeluscan, last photo, I’ve fished a lot between Catala and Ferrer Point, big springs. Can’t picture a landable beach nearby, it’s all pretty rocky. Where was that?

Its in the lagoon behind the point, so the approach was pretty much due W through the gap made by the little island you see in the bottom left of this picture. You can just see the wreck in that photo. Im guessing a good 1000ft, but curving. lots of lagoon west to get going before the trees. Not that that's a problem for you Guido:)

Cool, and thanks for that. Little confusing that the Esperanza group calls their satellite camp there "Ferrier" and the official gazette spelling is "Ferrer". Has a bit of history as a radar base: http://www.101nisquadron.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ferrer-Pt-Plaque-2018-2018_01_15-22_16_04-UTC.pdf

Let me know if you ever get onto Catala, I left some tracks there but never rolled to a complete stop, though I heard of someone in a Luscombe doing it (?!?). A few nice easy beaches further north at Rugged Point and Drift Whale beach on Brooks.

Last weekend I had a couple days in Idaho. Left Driggs Friday evening at 7:15, camped that night at Copper Basin, a nice temperature change from Driggs. In the morning it was off to Upper Loon, then down to Lower loon, then over to Cabin Creek for the night. Sunday morning it was over to Indian Creek, then Challis for fuel, and back to Copper Basin for the day and an evening return to Driggs. Monday morning was a stop at Big Piney for fuel and back at KGWS by 10:30.
A good couple of days, but awfully warm. Big Creek was nice for swimming.

Two days ago, on Butt Valley Reservoir, next to summer home base Lake Almanor. Due to narrowness between steep terrain, the perfect place to practice actual glassy water landings. Truly mirror-like most mornings.



Then, back to Minden to check on the ranch and catch up on chores . . . including exercising what Karen affectionately calls "Pocket Plane" (cause with wings folded it could fit neatly in your pocket!)



P

Just dropped smokejumpers 50 miles southeast of Winnemucca Nevada. Nice “cool” morning flight with no real hiccups. The Twotter is running like a champ : )