Pokey Joe and I had a great time camping at Redhills over the weekend. Jack and Myrna have a really nice place and it was a good opportunity to catch up with some friends, and make some new ones. I really enjoyed their strip with the big hill at the end, and the surrounding country was fun to explore.




Turning left downwind for 25 in the Husky..

Playing out in the rice fields over the weekend

Had fun out in the dirt and grass with Blackwater the other day!

I had a great time!
Thanks for the tour of your area!
Here is a video that I did not plan on posting when I made it and I would not post for the flying but if someone wants to see the central valley scenery and how beautiful the rice fields are.

Yesterday was supposed to be pretty hot in the valley, so I got up early and did some chores out at the Champ hangar until I couldn't stand it anymore. As lazy I was by then, the thought of holing up in front of an air conditioner for the rest of the day did not sound appealing. Realizing it would be stupid to hang around and suffer when the coast is only an hour or so away by air, I loaded Pokey Joe and some gear
in the Skylane and pointed it west. We enjoyed a beautiful evening at the beach, and slept under the wing last night in perfect conditions (except for the skunk that visited in the middle of the night!). Flew back to the valley at the crack of dawn to head in to work and it was already 88 deg F at 3,000 feet....might have to go back over this evening!

Gravelly Valley, lake is still almost full.

Dropping in to Shelter Cove, you can see the airstrip on the little peninsula-

High tide, not many options...

This buck was standing there when I landed, had to hover taxi past him before I touched down.

Pokey Joe was glad to get out of the heat!


Not a bad view from the ramp either.

And a pretty sunset to top it off!


It's already 104 as I type this, supposed to hit 109. I may have to burn a few more hours of fuel this afternoon!

Headed back to the coast Friday evening to get out of the heat but got denied...

Didn't have enough daylight to head over to the Sierra, and didn't really want to go back to the valley, so we dropped into Gravelly and camped for the night.


Headed out after coffee the next morning to find some food and fuel

Had a good time watching the elk graze out in this grassy area next to camp before sunrise

Headed over to Truckee to meet up with a buddy and camp Saturday night. Had to pick through some thunderheads on the way over the Sierras; this one looked like a mushroom cloud

Perfect morning flight back over the top Sunday

I've been fortunate enough to fly almost every day lately between trips up north and hops around the valley.

A Cub in it's natural habitat..




"Push me out, I promise I'll bring it right back!"

This was one of those hot, high and heavy days that makes me really appreciate the 182

This view never gets old.

This is some nice country I have flown over many times and have been meaning to explore for a while now.



I figured this weekend was a good time to go check it out since it was a hot one in the valley. The Truckee Airport was having an airshow on Saturday morning, so we hung around to watch AKT, Trent, and Kevin put on a nice STOL demo.

Ran into a family friend who was there with his new Scout...He really seems to be liking it so far.

After a swim at Prosser on the way, we finally made it into the Sierra Buttes and explored and hike for the rest of the day.

It really was pretty spectacular. There were more people around than I thought there would be, given the remote location, but only saw a few after we started hiking.

Managed to hike up to the lookout you see above my left shoulder, and back to camp as the full moon was rising.

The smoke from the Wall Fire caught up with us as we neared the top, but the views were still pretty spectacular.



The smoke did make a pretty sunset.

One last stop to take in the morning sun on the Buttes before heading back to the airport at Truckee.

Back at the airport I got to visit with AKT and 170 Pete, and watch AnnaReno go for her first ride in a P-51.

Finished the weekend up with a nice sunset flight in the Champ, and a cold one back at the hangar.

Found a good swimming hole last night, just need to find an airplane friendly landowner nearby.

A few pictures out playing after the Colusa County Fly-In Saturday.


Pokey Joe likes this spot because it has a good swimming hole.

Cool! I know this spot in the bypass! Let me know next time you guys headout that way.

As always, a very nice apparent brisk walk rate of closure approach. Notice how the trees are still coming at him at what APPEARS to be a brisk walk on short final. By doing that every time, Shannon, it will be there when really needed some day in the 182. Go around is dangerous because it happens at a stressful time. Avoid go around by always landing slow. Go fast on long final but slow on short final. Use the controlled descent of power all the way down. Good stuff.

Thanks Contact!...Believe me, it has come in handy in the 182.

AviatorPA11, I go out almost every day...anytime!

First time playing around with the Garmin Virb. I have a new appreciation for the fantastic videos you guys put together. I have yet to figure out how to edit the sound so forgive my headset radio blaring over the one clip. Any tips or critiques are welcome.

Very good apparent brisk walk rate of closure approaches. The Garmin shows how keeping the apparent rate (brisk walk) constant causes the ground speed to decelerate on short final. Unfortunately or fortunately using power pitch all the way down makes the touchdown so soft we have a hard time seeing it. Some might think you are cheating and just hover taxiing.

Headed out to Nevada over the weekend via Dead Cow.

Finally got to see the geyser go off from the air

Leaving the smoke...about time!

Headed over to the Austin Fly-In where the were serving up a whole beef cooked underground. Fantastic meal, and good company..thank you again Austin!

It was a pleasure to meet Dustin who stopped in on his way North.

This nice Stinson was part of Dustin's flight of three passing through on there way to Eastern Oregon, then over to Idaho to watch the eclipse. Hope you guys had a blast!

After a little well earned rest and relaxation, it was time to go do some more exploring.

Found some nice hot springs to try out.


Pokey Joe stood guard ready to fend off any marauding jack rabbits that might be in the area.

And then we just enjoyed the expansive views



Anyone know what caused these parallel lines in the desert?


Passed near Dead Cow again on the way home

I am told the lines are spray swathes to control certain vegetation species.

maules.com wrote:I am told the lines are spray swathes to control certain vegetation species.

Makes sense...but not quite as mysterious as the line of bs I was trying to pawn off!

A little more practice with the VIRB. Not great footage, but a couple clips of Dead Cow, and the Needle Rocks and geyser might interest some of you.

Went out to check out the fire damage on my buddies grazing land this morning.

I know, I know...landing on black top is frowned upon here...