With 8 working days left to go, a co-worker asked to take me to lunch. Since she loves to fly, I suggested a 45 minute round trip flight out to Hoquiam (HQM). It lies along Grays Harbor which opens out to the Pacific Ocean. That is one of the things I love about Washington. When the sun manages to come out I can fly about 25 minutes to either the ocean or the Cascade mountain range. The ground I cover en route is foothills, farms, rivers and forests. While I complain about being “trapped” during most of the year between ocean and mountains, at least the scenery is, well scenic.
At HQM, the landing offered some challenges with a 17 knot gusty wind just off heading and the usual bounces coming in over the sewage treatment plant. Mess up at this field, and you’re really in the sh…!
At Lana’s Diner we’re eating some great burgers, with seasoned curly fries and made-with-real-ice- cream milkshakes – chocolate of course. For a Friday afternoon, the pattern was fairly busy. A couple 172’s, a 152, Van’s RV, a 182 and then…
a warbird chirped onto the runway. Passing by the diner, I thought it was doing a taxi-back for immediate take-off, but the pilot picked a spot and shut her down. Needless to say, I took advantage of the photo op, abandoning my lunch and dashing out camera in hand. Here is a beautifully restored A-26. Those props are chromed. The entire plane is spotless.
And now, a little "Aviation Porn".
Back at lunch another passing vessel appeared. This huge cargo ship passed by, sight angle making it appear to be cruising down the runway. I’ve been to Hoquiam many times, but never before has a ship landed!
Heading back home to CLS, I snapped these pictures of the ship heading into dock in Aberdeen.
Twenty-three minutes later I landed back home and tucked Path into his hangar. A great lunch flight with some unexpected bonuses.
Cool looking plane. Sexy Sue must get a little cold at 12000 feet.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome looking plane...the other day I hear this roar...go outside even the dogs are looking up into the sky to see whats coming...and a plane very much like the one in your photo came roaring out of the clouds--quite a spectacle to me!
ReplyDeleteThat ship does appear to be Making a Landing...lol great day eh?
Wow, beautiful restoration indeed! I wish my office was closer to the airport (it's a 30 min drive) because there have been oh so many times when I have wanted to fly someone to lunch.
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves the WWII restored planes. If he sees a P51 (?) he is in heaven. Guess I just don't get it. Do they paint that young lady directly onto the plane, or is it a sticker?
ReplyDeleteThat is what I call a great lunch. Once retirement hits, you will be able to get into the air on every good weather day.
ReplyDeleteI would say that having that sewer plant on close final is a great incentive to not come in short:)
Whoa, careful with that nose art. I thought this was a family site! ;-) Nice A-26, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm envious of your ability to take a quick flight at lunch. The perfect stress reliever right in the middle of the day!
wow what a day you had and the lunch sounded really good. That is a very nice looking plane indeed and I love how people put the paintings on the to personalize them. Great pictures thanks for sharing hope you are having a good week :o)
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