I spent several days living on an airstrip just a mile from my old home. It was lovely to wake each morning to peaceful green beauty. There is nothing like a walk down a grass runway to start the day.
Then I spent five days parked at “My Airport”. Chehalis (CLS). This is a small airport by most standards, but hardly a sleepy country strip. Each morning a Cessna Citation, operated by a local business, departs. I love watching it vanish into the onshore clouds that start the majority of summer days. Helicopters arrive with students at the controls – a great breakfast show. That’s my camper in the middle distance. I took this photo walking back across the airport from Wal-Mart.
The annual AirFair found me making Grey Eagle flights – add 11 to my list of seniors flown. I met this man who flew in for fuel and to visit this tree he and his Dad planted over 40 years ago. Now it provides beauty and shade for relaxing pilots.
I’m still enjoying walks every day. There is a great trail that encircles the airport, on top of the dike. Thousands of times I’ve landed but liked seeing runway 16 from a new perspective.
Here a family of coyotes played.
I also walked my favorite Rosebrook Loop, noting baby lambs now grown, hayfields baled. As much as I love Arizona, taking a walk in cool Washington temps, surrounded by green is refreshing. Who could resist a side trip down this forest path?
Into each life of retirement joy comes the dark side. Big Red, my Ford truck, was constantly pulling to the right. Off to (national chain that shall go un-named) where I’m told that most of the front end needed to be replaced, not the simple wheel alignment I expected. Doubting them, I took Red to my usual mechanic and got the same bad news. They did all the front end work and included new brakes and calipers for less than the chain quoted. But I still paid $850. Ouch!
Left Arizona and temps over 100 during the day and cooling way down into the 90's at night. Arrived back in WA on the 29th and it rained the very next day! But not for long and since then the sun has been out and the temps are highs of low 80's with blue sky and lots of green. When it's not raining or fogging, WA is one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Visiting with friends is wonderful. Getting my Liberty (fifth wheel) ready for major traveling is fun but also a challenge. Who was the person who told me how much easier a fifth is as compared to a trailer? I spent 1/2 hour unhooking and another re-hooking. These things are picky as hell - everything has to be lined up just so before the heavenly "clunk" reaches my ears. I climb in and out of my truck so many times I fear for the life span of the seat!
The second day here was flying time. Nearly a month had passed and withdrawal was fact. Path was just off a fresh oil change, a new tire and as anxious to be airborne as I. Judy flew with me along with friends in their RV, one in his Sonex, one in a Wyex (spelled wrong), the fifth plane a Super Cub. Our destination was Tillamook as they were having a car show and pancake breakfast at the museum there. 300 foot ceilings gradually rose to 900 then 1100 but not till long after the breakfast was over. Lifting off from Chehalis (CLS) at 10:30 we flew southwest toward the Columbia River and Astoria. Our intention was to turn south and fly the coast south. Nothing but cloud so we stayed over the top, direct. Just north of Tillamook (TMK) it opened up right over Nehalem (3S7) and we slipped under the cloud cover still hanging over the Tillamook valley. Flight time 1.1
On this flight in Path and during the flight that morning from Judy's Field - Shady Acres (3B8) in her LadyHawk, we took lots of wonderful pictures. Fields and mountains through patches of morning mist, planes flying next to us, with a background of clouds, rock formations, ocean. Truly they were breathtaking. You, my readers, would have been blown away.
Unfortunately all those perfect photos were accidentally deleted...gone. Nothing but our memories of the flights remain. Drat.
The first 43 days of retirement have been a lot of hard work. If your thinking about moving...think hard. Reducing of a lifetime of acquiring, leaving a 2400 sq ft home and going to 1800 then dragging it all 1300 miles away is not something I wish to repeat.
I was lucky and sold my WA home with ease - didn't run an ad or hire a Realtor. My next door neighbor heard I was looking to sell - and bought it! A bit of negotiation and my home of 14 years is no longer mine. Yes, part of me is feeling sadness, I loved that house. I also love being out from under the cost and responsibility and nearly an acre of lawn.
Left for AZ with a loaded truck (26 feet) pulling my car. I drove my husband's SUV. Here is the view I had for most of the trip.
The drive was easy enough. We managed to get "lost" once or twice getting back on the freeway. There was also the rapidly vanishing deisel which turned out to be failed o-rings on the fuel lines. Called in for emergency aid at 5:30 am in Weed CA. Lost 3 hours waiting for repairs. The young man who came to help was a delight and very proud of his town. For good reason.
Scenery through WA, OR, and CA is spectacular. It was interesting to drive along the routes I had previously seen only from the air - a new perspective.
Here is Mt Shasta.
Mountains of the north are like beautiful women wearing their best green dresses. Here in the south desert the ladies are naked, proudly displaying their curves and bones. I love them all.
Been here in AZ unpacking and settling for 3 days, having arrived Tuesday early evening. I really did bring way too much stuff! Did I need 10 boxes of books? I thought so. Wasn't ready to part with these old friends.
Haven't been doing any flying as Path is still in WA awaiting my return. Luke AFB is a few air miles away from my new winter home so I get several air shows each day as fighter jets come and go. People in parking lots wonder whats wrong with me when I stop and look up. To them, the sound of roaring jet engines is old hat. I wonder if I too, will quit watching them...nah.
Well, it's 6:00 am, a beautiful 78 degrees and I must get some work done before the summer heat kicks in. Just a few more days and retirement will truly begin. Back to WA to live in my fifth wheel, and do whatever I please for days and days.
Friday, June 3rd at 5:30 three planes lined up for runway 34. Judy was first in her 172, Lady Hawk; followed by Martin in his Sonarei, Molly. I watched them go as Path and I followed. One-half hour later we lined up again, to top up our tanks at Scappoose.
Oregon law requires an airport or gas station employee to pump fuel, but the old guy wasn’t eager to climb the ladder and I’m picky about my plane so he willingly allowed me to do the job. Here are the three planes. Martin built his Molly. She’s a real screamer cruising at nearly 150 knots and sipping 4.5 gallons an hour doing it. We joke that I burn that much taxiing, but can carry nearly the weight of the Sonarei.
Flying out The Gorge was as expected, beautiful and smooth. Here are a few photos we took. The mountain is Mt. Hood in Oregon. The dam is Bonneville.
Here is Lady Hawk just above the north rim of The Gorge with Mt Adams behind.
At our overnight spot, Prosser S40 (flight time 1.8) we put up our tents and appreciated the warm summer evening with a crescent moon. Two more friends arrived in their 206 so now we were four planes. They had flown a direct route and indicated the flight was about 1 hour. Slept well until a plane came in at 2:15 am for a couple touch n go’s. But hey, we are not going to complain about airplane noise.
Breakfast at the RedBarn with lots of flight stories, then as a flight of four, eastward to Martin Field (S95). Flight time was .8 over some pretty country.
Keeping four planes together, with 4 different cruise speeds was fun. We all throttled back to match the 172 and enjoyed bragging about our fuel burn. I was getting 7.5 to 8.0 at 1900 squared! Usual is 10. To 10.5 at altitude 10,000 cruise. Here is an idea of terrain in eastern WA, which has hundreds (if not thousands) of huge windmills.
The area around the Columbia River has also become wine country, with many vineyards and wineries.
I’m not a connoisseur, but have heard the quality is among the best .
The fly-in was reasonably well attended, mostly standard aircraft. A BBQ van provided a decent lunch and the local pilots were welcoming and fun to visit with. A lot of local townfolk came out for glider and Jabiru flights and to look at visiting planes. Why is it that people think they have the right to manhandle our planes? I had to mention hands off, and then explain clearly to a student pilot that he was included in that rule. No touching of another’s plane, unless approved or to save the plane from some impending doom.
Our 206 pals left around Noon, the rest of us waited out the heat of the afternoon, lifting off at 5:30. We had expected some bounce, but found smooth air. Martin, under his canopy and carrying 10 gallons of fuel, requested a stop at The Dalles (DLS).
We landed at 6:40 and after he and Judy filled up their planes, a dinner stop sounded good. With courtesy car keys, and restaurant recommendation we drove over the Columbia into the town which is on the Oregon side. Full of good food and many glasses of ice water, vote was to stay the night. The Dalles airport offers a lovely garden spot with encircling trees and soft grass.
Sunday morning a high broken overcast put interesting shadows on our view of Mt Hood (taken from the campsite). Now this is the way to start a morning!
The airport cat had greeted us as we setup camp and arrived again to help us load up. I had to bodily remove her from my plane. She sure was a sweet purring machine.
The three planes and pilots parted company after prepping for flight.
I wanted more cheap fuel at SPB, Judy and her 172 charted a direct flight NW to her home at Shady Acres (3B8) and Martin just wanted to let Molly loose after so much slow flight as he headed home to Chehalis.
Note. Many of the photos shown here were taken by Judy, who is an amazing photographer.
All in all, this trip was the perfect way to start my retirement lifestyle.
I’m counting down the hours sitting here at my desk for the last time. 14 years. Some of being here was good. Some not so good. Some was downright horrible. All of it is in the past, except for the memories of the friends I made and the good days. Surprisingly there is a bit of nostalgia, but I’m sure it will wear off about 4:00 PM.
My retirement party (with Costco carrot cake) will be over. The well-wishes will be ringing in my ears as I drive the 6 minutes directly to the airport where my faithful Path sits loaded and ready to go.
Two friends and I – in separate planes as we're all anxious to FLY, are departing for Eastern Washington to attend the Martin Field (S95) Fly-in. First we head south to Scappoose (SPB) to load up on cheap fuel at $5.20. Then east following the Columbia River Gorge. My two friends have never flown The Gorge and I’ve not done the entire Gorge going East, so will be flight leader and baggage hauler. But that is enough about this trip, for now. I’ll tell the whole story after it happens.
It’s 10:00 and the day is going by so fast. People are coming by with cards and gifts! I didn’t expect that. I think there are going to be tears.
Warning Ladies! This post is for guy pilot readers.
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.
When pilots go flying to an airport that has a restaurant on the field we call it going for the $100 hamburger. Of course with fuel costs what they are I’ve started calling it the $200 hamburger!
Saturday a local Meet-Up group, out of Auburn (S50) had a breakfast fly-out planned for Jefferson County International (0S9) in Port Townsend. This has long been a favorite destination of mine – a beautiful flight, good airport, delicious food at the Spruce Goose Café.
My lady-pilot friend, Judy, is grounded as she needs to take her bi-annual flight review and cannot legally fly until she has done so. This is a mini-version of the Check Ride we take to earn our pilots license and actually re-certifies that we have not acquired any bad habits, forgotten rules or procedures, and are safe pilots. I called Judy at 6:45 am. Yes, that early. I knew she would not mind being drug out of bed - “Hey, if a certain pilot were to land at your field, would you like to go to breakfast?” Her response was quick and affirmative. An hour later I fired up Path and we headed north. Twenty minutes later I touched down at 3B8 – landing a bit longer than I like but smoothly. I’d spotted Judy standing near her hangar, so taxied back, amused to see her sticking her thumb out! She loaded in as planned, without my even shutting down.
My usual route to Jefferson County is straight north. Now I was heading from the SE and enjoyed flying over an area that lays directly under the approach to Seattle-Tac, where I had to carefully remain below incoming jets. Passing Tacoma and over Commencement Bay I asked Judy to fly and took some pictures.
Industrial area and Tacoma Dome, where the next day I would go with my son to see the German band, Rammstein.
This is the Tacoma Narrows bridge and part of Puget Sound. 
Here is Tacoma's downtown.
We flew NW, then North, carefully avoiding two No-Fly areas (called TFR’s). One over the Bremerton shipyard, where aircraft carriers are parked and the second Bangor, a submarine base.
Here is a photo of Hood Canal and the Olympic range. Judy said it looks just like Norway.
Air Traffic was light. We saw no heavies near Sea-Tac, heard no small planes as we passed Bremerton (PWT) but as we neared our goal, two other planes were coming in – one of them Dave, the leader of the Meet-Up group. Time for some good food, good friends, and tales of flying.
I’d used my Android phone to check fuel prices, and learned that Pierce County (PLU) had the lowest in the area. Imagine being happy paying $5.80 a gallon. Here I am filling up.
Returning Judy to Shady Acres was not pretty. I made a poor approach, but pulled it out with a go-around. (That is a maneuver where instead of landing the pilot re-applies power and gains altitude, turning back to try again.) The second approach was spot on as was the landing. Pride restored.
Heading home, the day was so beautiful that I wanted to just keep going, but must economize and put money away for my big eastern trip in September when I’ll be adding 16 states to the map on Path’s fuselage. That will be worth waiting for.
Ended the time with Path back at Chehalis with 2.6 in the logbook and memories of good times with good friends.
