Hey all. Just got my license yesterday. Woo Hoo.

Im based in Tri-Cities WA. Fly out of PSC. In mid-april it is the anniversary for the wife and I and Id like to take her somewhere awesome. Since im new to "Going" places, rather than XC to YKM or MWH, Im asking for your help.

Anyone know of something fun to do, somewhere cool to fly, etc? Obviously I could now fly to Vegas or something, but Id rather stay within 3 hours. Each year we pick something to do, I get odd years, and she gets evens. For an example, we like to go somewhere and do something. Last year (her choice) we drove to Hood River stayed the weekend and rode the Mt Hood Senic train up to Parkdale. The year before that (my choice), we drove to Canon beach and stayed in a nice bungalo for the weekend on the beach and had some nice dinners and such. The year before that, we went to the Tulip Festival in Skagit county and took a jet boat ride through the Deception Pass.

So I think you get the point, a cool weekend trip, with something to see or do. Now that Im a "Pilot" , our options are much broader. Ive thought of going to Montana maybe to GNP, but might be too early. Or down the Oregon coast again, or maybe even to Bend or something. But like I said, Im new to going somewhere with an A?C. Im excited as all get out for the rest of my flying career, and learning and learning and learning.

Let me know if you have any cool places we could go. I appreciate it.

O

We like Florence Oregon, although the whole coast is nice with several places to land and enjoy.

Come on over...

We like Roche Harbor, gets busy in the summer though. April shouldn't be too bad.

http://www.rocheharbor.com/Home.html
http://www.airnav.com/airport/WA09

How long did it take for you to get your license in days and hours? Have you flown winter/summer/spring/fall months in the NW?

* density altitude in the summer here is an issue, especially the high desert
* low ceilings, ice, snow and hail are common winter hazards
* I see a lot of thunderstorms on the coast, wind shears, hail, heavy rain, lighting
* TAFs can be wrong for days at a time too
* if you can afford in flight Wx I.e. Sirus, ADS-B, learn to use it! If not, keep a pen/pencil and talk to FSS regularly.
* survival equipment is paramount, there is a lot of forests/deserts out here
* leave a way out always!

It took me a while to find my personal rhythm in Oregon, VFR. I have learned a lot! But, it was slow going at first. Be safe!

8GCBC wrote:How long did it take for you to get your license in days and hours? Have you flown winter/summer/spring/fall months in the NW?

* density altitude in the summer here is an issue, especially the high desert
* low ceilings, ice, snow and hail are common winter hazards
* I see a lot of thunderstorms on the coast, wind shears, hail, heavy rain, lighting
* TAFs can be wrong for days at a time too
* if you can afford in flight Wx I.e. Sirus, ADS-B, learn to use it! If not, keep a pen/pencil and talk to FSS regularly.
* survival equipment is paramount, there is a lot of forests/deserts out here
* leave a way out always!

It took me a while to find my personal rhythm in Oregon, VFR. I have learned a lot! But, it was slow going at first. Be safe!

Days.... lets see Since Jan 18th 2011. First lesson. Last lesson Feb 27th 2013. So around 747 days, 54.9 Hours over all that time. Paid for out of pocket so it was a bit slow being laid off for a number of months.

Ive flown in all the seasons, and half of my flight training was up at PWT, and the rest at PSC. Lots of winter, lots of summer, spring, fall etc. in both places. Lots of clouds, rain, etc in PWT, and lots of wind and storms and such in PSC. Yet I have avoided wind shear, hail, storms in general like the plague. Ive got a LOT to learn, but most comes from the continuing experiences and folks like you that offer good sound advice.

I appreciate the heads up. Im excited/nervous/confident etc. for what I have to learn in situations like you stated above. Thanks a bunch!

Come to Prosser and stay at the Barn.

Brent

Portland river walk great seafood or maybe Garden Vally ,Idaho for a little camping .

Whip out a sectional., and check out shortfield.com . Pick out all the grass strips you can find in your zone ( there are tons of them up there), and go hit them. If the weather sucks go East till it gets sunny. Fly the Columbia river . It's pretty cool . Idaho is I think within 3 hours of you. You can hike your brains out in Idaho right from the plane for days Then you can eat and drink like a king and queen at any # of lodges as long as you want. Have fun working it out.. I'm doing some planning now as well .Let us know what u come up with.

I like Low Riders Idea. Never been to Idaho. Maybe that's why. Congrats and good luck!

Realizing how iffy the weather is that time of year, I would have several plans like was said above. Just head in the direction with good weather. Some of my best trips have been, get up check the weather, pick a destination and go. Most decent places have something unique to see or do and great people.

One thought, although a lot further than you would like, would be to rent a house boat on Lake Mead. You can land at 0L9, not far from the marina. For that, you would want to check boat availability before you left.

Lake Powell is another option. Some friends are inviting me along on a house boat trip there about the same time. Bullfrog Marina (U07) or PGA works well for Powell.

Some other thoughts: SGU, get a motel there, rent a car and visit/hike in Zion NP. Furnace Creek (L06) in Death Valley NP is a neat place, too. You can do great aerial tours of both NP's from the plane, too. That time of year, the weather is generally sunny and warm, although the wind can blow.

A little south of Vegas is Laughlin, NV and Lake Havasu, AZ. The spring breakers may be living it up there at that time so factor that in to your plans should you wind up there.

In April, when Idaho is wet and soggy, the destinations in both posts above are where I look to go that time of year. Easy for me to say since I don't have to buy as much gas as you will to get there .

cowpilot wrote:Come to Prosser and stay at the Barn.

Brent

The Barn Huh, Good Breakfast. I lived in Prosser for a number of years. I sure would like to fly that dreamy WSU themed Highlander. Magical little plane. Mikes?

low rider wrote:Whip out a sectional., and check out shortfield.com . Pick out all the grass strips you can find in your zone ( there are tons of them up there), and go hit them. If the weather sucks go East till it gets sunny. Fly the Columbia river . It's pretty cool . Idaho is I think within 3 hours of you. You can hike your brains out in Idaho right from the plane for days Then you can eat and drink like a king and queen at any # of lodges as long as you want. Have fun working it out.. I'm doing some planning now as well .Let us know what u come up with.

Idaho draws me for sure. I grew up in IF and moved to Boise in 99. Lived there and graduated BSU in 09, now I got a big boy job at Hanford. If fact, Im so Idaho, that I got an artist buddy drawing me up a piece of work that would cover my entire back. Basically it would be an outline of idaho with the words Grown in Idaho across the bottom, much like the logo on a sack of taters.

If I hadnt been to garden valley 14237 times, Id think about it. I like the Chevron Corn Dogs

Man, lots of good ideas. Thanks so far.

to add, ill be using a rental 172 tricycle, so Im not sure theyd like it if I wandered into the backcounrty and banged out a number of dirt strips.

ohadI wrote:

cowpilot wrote:Come to Prosser and stay at the Barn.

Brent

The Barn Huh, Good Breakfast. I lived in Prosser for a number of years. I sure would like to fly that dreamy WSU themed Highlander. Magical little plane. Mikes?

That Highlander belongs to my friend Kevin. I'm sure I can get you some right seat time when he's done with the annual. Kidding on the barn.

Brent

Hottshot wrote:

Looks like a cool place.... I hear they leave a bushwheel on your pillow instaed of a mint when they make up the beds.

hotrod150 wrote:

Hottshot wrote:

Looks like a cool place.... I hear they leave a bushwheel on your pillow instaed of a mint when they make up the beds.

But only one. A matching one can be purchased in the gift shop.

cowpilot wrote:

ohadI wrote:

cowpilot wrote:Come to Prosser and stay at the Barn.

Brent

The Barn Huh, Good Breakfast. I lived in Prosser for a number of years. I sure would like to fly that dreamy WSU themed Highlander. Magical little plane. Mikes?

That Highlander belongs to my friend Kevin. I'm sure I can get you some right seat time when he's done with the annual. Kidding on the barn.

Brent

I know you were kidding on the Barn. Like I said, decent bfast, but would much rather go to Kenos. Something about the chickn fried steak (Yummmm). And staying AT the Barn, not so much. Rather stay in a van down by the river.

Kevin, thats right. I have a buddy that knows him as well, and Ive been with him many times on trips to prosser to get his annual done, and visit the Barn, and each time we wander into the hangar and stare at the dream machine. If only it was painted Blue and Orange.....

Sunriver may be a good option for your first adventure. As you know weather on the east side of the mountains will be similar to your conditions.

I think I got a plan.

Pasco to bend, stay at McMennamins, do a tour or two of local stuff, hit up a brewery or two, fly home next day. Quick easy trip.... Sounds like itll be fun. Hope the weather is good that day.

Thanks for all the ideas.

Word