Battson wrote:Keep it coming Phil, we are all enjoying the posts

Thanks JB

Barnstormer wrote:
A day later sees us along the Bering Sea

I know exactly where that beach is at!

Yesterday was a beautiful day here with perfect air, so I took the SQ2 on her last flight before I pickled her and put her away in the hangar. Next time she comes out will be in March on skis. Meantime we are following the birds south for the winter (only driving since I took the 185 south a couple of weeks ago).

And no, I wasn't walking around barefoot.

Barnstormer wrote:Yesterday was a beautiful day here with perfect air, so I took the SQ2 on her last flight before I pickled her and put her away in the hangar. Next time she comes out will be in March on skis. Meantime we are following the birds south for the winter (only driving since I took the 185 south a couple of weeks ago).

And no, I wasn't walking around barefoot.

Yesterday couldn't have gotten much better in terms of weather - one of those days I'm surprised I get paid for this. Glad you were out enjoying it too. I'm also heading south this week. Days like yesterday make me want to postpone.

asa wrote:

Barnstormer wrote:Yesterday was a beautiful day here with perfect air, so I took the SQ2 on her last flight before I pickled her and put her away in the hangar. Next time she comes out will be in March on skis. Meantime we are following the birds south for the winter (only driving since I took the 185 south a couple of weeks ago).

And no, I wasn't walking around barefoot.

Yesterday couldn't have gotten much better in terms of weather - one of those days I'm surprised I get paid for this. Glad you were out enjoying it too. I'm also heading south this week. Days like yesterday make me want to postpone.

IMG_2333.jpg

Off topic: that’s a funky rear strut set-up!

On-topic: beautiful pictures from both of y’all. Thanks for sharing!

Ever since our forest fire started on June 5th I haven't seen any Moose on the property other than a mama and her calf that were being chased by a Brown Bear (across my runway). It was looking like I wouldn't see any more Moose this year since I start the drive south in the morning. I decided to put on my boots and go walk the runway one last time this year. Rounded the garage and lo and behold there were Moose on the runway. Too cool!!!! What a great way to close out the last day this year.

Barnstormer wrote:Ever since our forest fire started on June 5th I haven't seen any Moose on the property other than a mama and her calf that were being chased by a Brown Bear (across my runway). It was looking like I wouldn't see any more Moose this year since I start the drive south in the morning. I decided to put on my boots and go walk the runway one last time this year. Rounded the garage and lo and behold there were Moose on the runway. Too cool!!!! What a great way to close out the last day this year.

That's awesome Phil, great to see. I'd say stop in again but I dont live on your direct route anymore. Moved up to my new place on friday. (Still open for visits though, just a bit out of the way.)

Summer of '19 was a short flying season for me because of a forest fire that started early June 10 miles from my place and went on to become the largest fire in North America for the summer. Smoke made it IMC a lot of the days. But I did get out some and put together this very short photo video. Here's hoping the Summer of 2020 is awesome.

https://vimeo.com/377701295

Nice video summary Phil. If I make over your way next summer would like to do some flying together. Ted SQ-2

tedwaltman wrote:Nice video summary Phil. If I make over your way next summer would like to do some flying together. Ted SQ-2

That sounds great Ted, let's do it.

Found some old video that I never put together. Here it is. I'm sure excited about Spring.

https://vimeo.com/392863914

Have you ever had your SQ2 up in Kotzebue? Saw one up there years ago with the same paint scheme.

AMRE2ME2 wrote:Have you ever had your SQ2 up in Kotzebue? Saw one up there years ago with the same paint scheme.

Haven't made it to that part of Alaska yet. I've had the SQ2 for seven years now (doesn't feel like its been that long) so if it was before that it was when the guy who built it owned it.

Was out showing a friend something interesting when I decided to explore a bit further back into a hidden canyon and stumbled upon this beautiful place at the bottom of a glacier. Can't tell you how many times I've flown nearby without realizing it was even there. I believe some more exploring is in order.

Got into a bunch of Humpys just in from the sea and they were eating flies. Fabulous day in every direction.

Beautiful spot. That is a great day. How have the salmon runs been up there?

Fraser Farmer wrote:Beautiful spot. That is a great day. How have the salmon runs been up there?

I avoid the Combat Fishing locations but it's my understanding the runs have been low, and F&G's reaction would seem to indicate that.

How are the Sturgeon doing in your neck of the woods? 20 years ago In fished the Fraser and had a great time. I need to fish it again.

Barnstormer wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote:Beautiful spot. That is a great day. How have the salmon runs been up there?

I avoid the Combat Fishing locations but it's my understanding the runs have been low, and F&G's reaction would seem to indicate that.

How are the Sturgeon doing in your neck of the woods? 20 years ago In fished the Fraser and had a great time. I need to fish it again.

Our runs have also been low. Like you, I don't do shoulder to shoulder salmon fishing so I find myself chasing monster trout up North more often now. They've closed some of the best salmon areas in the South in order to supposedly help the killer whales.
The sturgeon are doing very well I think. Every time I fish them we do well, caught an 8.5 footer last time, all catch and release of course. The encouraging thing though is that we always seem to catch Sturgeon of all different sizes, which is what you want to see, young ones coming up.

Barnstormer wrote:Got into a bunch of Humpys just in from the sea and they were eating flies. Fabulous day in every direction.

Glad you got out in the nice weather. The past two days were glorious in Alaska.

Barnstormer wrote:Was out showing a friend something interesting when I decided to explore a bit further back into a hidden canyon and stumbled upon this beautiful place at the bottom of a glacier. Can't tell you how many times I've flown nearby without realizing it was even there. I believe some more exploring is in order.

Even after flying my part of SE Idaho and adjacent Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, for going on 40 years, low and slow, I STILL keep finding new places. I imagine you have an even worst problem up there, big as Alaska is.