Thanks for the tips on the books guys, I'll check them out.

Went and explored an area close by yesterday for a short time. Tundra Hills I'm calling the area.

My assistant’s first time in Alaska so we went flying today. I’m pretty sure she (also a pilot) is enjoying herself.




We also met up with Chris (AK_Logan) and his friend Tommy and checked out a couple of places together.

The fourth highest tides in the world occur in the Cook Inlet of Alaska, around 33 feet.

Yesterday the tides were about 23 feet. During low tide I spotted an “island” -really the bottom of the ocean- and since I’d never landed on the bottom of the ocean before it seemed like a good thing to do.

Pretty confident I’m the first person to ever land this spot.


Another beautiful waterfall on the Kenai Peninsula.

Starter dont fail me now!

G44 wrote:Starter dont fail me now!

....Changing a starter with a 20' wall of water coming is not fun! Go with a second aircraft, just in case you need to bail fast in another aircraft!

8GCBC wrote:

G44 wrote:Starter dont fail me now!

....Changing a starter with a 20' wall of water coming is not fun! Go with a second aircraft, just in case you need to bail fast in another aircraft!

Hope many lbs of buoyancy in a set of 35" ABW?

How do I hand propping the engines?

G44 wrote:Starter dont fail me now!

Amen! Couldn't resist, even though I have a history with islands just out of the water.

Yesterday was gorgeous which necessitated a trip to my favorite place on the Kenai Peninsula. After flying down glacier we waterskied among the icebergs.




Then landed a point where the glacier melt meets the ocean. What a spectacular place this Alaska.


After spending time soaking up the sun, walking the beach and just absorbing the day we headed to the next major bay. Alaska is the most beautiful place on earth without a doubt.


High tide so had to land in the rocks instead of the sand.


On the way in there was tons (literally) of floating ice announcing a great day of glacier calving. After an hour or so we were rewarded to a fairly big calve.

One of the things my assistant Shanon wanted to do while up here in Alaska was catch a fish. akgreg was gracious enough to take us out fishing this morning, a morning that was meant for fishing as it was a cold, drizzly, foggy, cloudy sky. Greg got us on the Silver Salmon with Shanon being the first to hook up with the biggest fish she's ever caught. I followed a bit later with my first Silver Salmon, and a really nice one to boot. Thanks a million Greg, we both had a fun time!

Hey, I know this waterfall. Looks like you stopped by Happy Valley. Caught many Kings (and a bunch of sculpins - irish lords ) there throughout the 90's. Miss that place...

This hen and buck came from there:

BRD wrote:Hey, I know this waterfall. Looks like you stopped by Happy Valley. Caught many Kings (and a bunch of sculpins - irish lords ) there throughout the 90's. Miss that place...]

Didn't know it had a name, but yes that's it. Nice fish display!

The Wx has been epic the past few days and looks to continue for the near future.


Around the time this photo was taken a brown bear appeared about a hundred yards off, looking for the blueberries we were eating. As surprised as we were the bear decided to retreat.


Yesterday, 30 mph winds. Stopped here for a bathroom break.

A compilation of some recent video clips:



https://vimeo.com/183598286

Maybe three weeks left before I head for Texas for the Winter. Gonna get as much flying in as possible in the meantime. Here is a vid from last week.



https://vimeo.com/184164708

Leaves are changing and dropping, temperature is dropping, and snow is starting to fall in the Kenai Mountains - all of which are signals that it is about time to head south for the Winter. I've fallen in love with Alaska.

Thank you for all of your wonderful pictures and videos Phil. Absolutely stunning!

tedwaltman wrote:Thank you for all of your wonderful pictures and videos Phil. Absolutely stunning!

You are very welcome. I enjoy sharing.



https://vimeo.com/184959852

Yesterday, another beautiful Fall day.

You couldn't pick two places to split your time in that are more different than Texas and Alaska. You'd also have a hard time finding two places to operate out of that are further apart. While the SQ2 is perfect for Alaska, what's it like to make the long flight to your other home in Texas with that bird? Or do you leave the SQ2 up north with a picked engine for the winter?

How long does it take for you to acclimate after you arrive at your new location after being immersed in the other for so many months? Once acclimated, either location is enviable, but there is a lot of work involved in those transitions. I envy you on one hand and feel sorry for you on the other. Hmmm, on second thought there is no pity, just envy.

Keep posting for those of us that have settled down in one spot. I do plan to visit Alaska before I sell my Maule, but it will likely be a one time adventure. Posts from you and others are helping me build my dream itinerary, but with some modifications since my 180 Hp Maule with small tires isn't as capable as the SQ2 for really short and soft field work. The dream is alive though!

Flyhound wrote:You couldn't pick two places to split your time in that are more different than Texas and Alaska. You'd also have a hard time finding two places to operate out of that are further apart. While the SQ2 is perfect for Alaska, what's it like to make the long flight to your other home in Texas with that bird? Or do you leave the SQ2 up north with a picked engine for the winter?

How long does it take for you to acclimate after you arrive at your new location after being immersed in the other for so many months? Once acclimated, either location is enviable, but there is a lot of work involved in those transitions. I envy you on one hand and feel sorry for you on the other. Hmmm, on second thought there is no pity, just envy.

Keep posting for those of us that have settled down in one spot. I do plan to visit Alaska before I sell my Maule, but it will likely be a one time adventure. Posts from you and others are helping me build my dream itinerary, but with some modifications since my 180 Hp Maule with small tires isn't as capable as the SQ2 for really short and soft field work. The dream is alive though!

Being this is my first year being in both places I don't yet know what the transitions will be like. Thanks to BCP I already had a lot of people to meet when I got up here, developed a few friendships fairly quickly. I can imagine a weird part will be that when I get back to Texas I'll initially think of things as they were, yet my friends will be in different places with their lives. Be interesting for sure.

Transitioning up here this year was a lot about setting up a new house, and all that goes around that. Along with meeting folks, figuring out what places are named and where they are, oh, and how to pronounce them.

And of course learning where to buy things, especially aircraft things.

I am leaving the SQ2 up here, pickled, in a friends hangar. Might drive my new Raptor up in the Spring, or fly up commercially and let someone else drive it up.

Here is a short video from yesterday evening.



https://vimeo.com/185178875

A couple more weeks and I'll be back in Texas. Flying every chance I can get.



https://vimeo.com/185265978