A few days ago, the temperature in Houston reached 77 degrees, the humidity crept up, and it was obvious that summer will soon be on the way. Since we own RV?s, we are not subjected to the law that says there isn?t anything to do but sit there and take it, so we escaped to the mountains of Southern California in a defiant act of denial for a few more days of snow and cool temperatures!
Nature does take its due, so while we had clear VFR weather all the way across the great southern desert, we did have to deal with headwinds, and the trip was slower than normal. Two fuel stops and lots of boring time in between, watching the TTG clock down and looking at Geology 101 to pass the hours.
Normal flight time in still air is about seven hours, yesterday it took eight ? but the good news was I got to sleep some of the way since Louise is now front-seat-qual?ed in the Valkyrie, and we can swap legs. We had one moment of excitement when a random bump emptied the side pockets of every thumb drive and snack bar?the camera was found in the foot well, and I have a nice scratch from the ?Airventure 2009? pin on the side of my hat ? yeah?.it was a BIG bump!
But today is grand and glorious here in the mountains, with visibilities in the hundred mile range, snow in the trees above 7,000 or so, and all of California spread out for examination. I launched in late morning to work the kinks out with a little Acro after all that straight and level, the cool mountain air giving back the lift you?d expect to lose at a density altitude of 7,000?. Light winds and no bumps ? does it get much better? Climbing out over the blindingly blue lake, I took a few pictures to remember the day ? ice in the coves, snow in the trees, skiers on the slopes ? and just over the ridge, the drop to the LA basin with green fields giving way to the brown and gray of endless civilization.
I turned my attention to the north, slipping over the ridge and over into the Antelope Valley. Apple Valley was dead ahead, and Rogers Dry Lake off in the distance. There was Rosamond?Wow, this is a great view ? wonder how it looks upside down? Not heard to find out, so a few loops and rolls followed; sand, snow, and sky swapping places in quick and repeated succession. Acro feels?.different?.when played out at altitude and over something other than flat coastal plains. There is a wonderful three-dimensional element that you don?t get when you?re not in the neighborhood of peaks and valleys.
With time to do a little sightseeing, I aimed for Lake Arrowhead and the drop down to San Bernardino. Cresting the ridge and looking out over a remarkably clear day, I could almost convince myself that I saw the expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Almost. I picked out the winding highway that I seem to recall is named ?Rim of the World? ? it?s view of the basin well known for beauty. Imagine seeing the same sight from a thousand feet higher, and nothing to block the view!
With the Valkyrie biting well in the cold clear air, we climbed to the east, pointed at the peak of San Gorgonio which forms the northern pillar of Banning Pass. Up the ridge we climbed, through 12,000? for a peek over into the pass, and Mount San Jacinto beyond, Palm Springs nestled at its feet, the desert beyond. A pylon turn about the peak and I couple of blips on the trim to point me downhill headed me back towards our home away from home at Big Bear City. I had ten miles to lose 5,000?, and as always, was thankful for the braking action of the Hartzel scimitar swinging up front. Pattern altitude and flap speed came together as I drew abeam the field, and I was in the groove for Runway 08. Two chirps and a turn to our hangar ? and I felt my cell phone ringing. It was Louise asking ?how is it up there?? Which was quickly followed by ?Don?t put the Val away for the day ? I think I need to check it out for myself!? Absolutely my dear ? go forth and enjoy! A day like this was made just for flying in the mountains with an RV?.
Paul
Nature does take its due, so while we had clear VFR weather all the way across the great southern desert, we did have to deal with headwinds, and the trip was slower than normal. Two fuel stops and lots of boring time in between, watching the TTG clock down and looking at Geology 101 to pass the hours.
Normal flight time in still air is about seven hours, yesterday it took eight ? but the good news was I got to sleep some of the way since Louise is now front-seat-qual?ed in the Valkyrie, and we can swap legs. We had one moment of excitement when a random bump emptied the side pockets of every thumb drive and snack bar?the camera was found in the foot well, and I have a nice scratch from the ?Airventure 2009? pin on the side of my hat ? yeah?.it was a BIG bump!
But today is grand and glorious here in the mountains, with visibilities in the hundred mile range, snow in the trees above 7,000 or so, and all of California spread out for examination. I launched in late morning to work the kinks out with a little Acro after all that straight and level, the cool mountain air giving back the lift you?d expect to lose at a density altitude of 7,000?. Light winds and no bumps ? does it get much better? Climbing out over the blindingly blue lake, I took a few pictures to remember the day ? ice in the coves, snow in the trees, skiers on the slopes ? and just over the ridge, the drop to the LA basin with green fields giving way to the brown and gray of endless civilization.
I turned my attention to the north, slipping over the ridge and over into the Antelope Valley. Apple Valley was dead ahead, and Rogers Dry Lake off in the distance. There was Rosamond?Wow, this is a great view ? wonder how it looks upside down? Not heard to find out, so a few loops and rolls followed; sand, snow, and sky swapping places in quick and repeated succession. Acro feels?.different?.when played out at altitude and over something other than flat coastal plains. There is a wonderful three-dimensional element that you don?t get when you?re not in the neighborhood of peaks and valleys.
With time to do a little sightseeing, I aimed for Lake Arrowhead and the drop down to San Bernardino. Cresting the ridge and looking out over a remarkably clear day, I could almost convince myself that I saw the expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Almost. I picked out the winding highway that I seem to recall is named ?Rim of the World? ? it?s view of the basin well known for beauty. Imagine seeing the same sight from a thousand feet higher, and nothing to block the view!
With the Valkyrie biting well in the cold clear air, we climbed to the east, pointed at the peak of San Gorgonio which forms the northern pillar of Banning Pass. Up the ridge we climbed, through 12,000? for a peek over into the pass, and Mount San Jacinto beyond, Palm Springs nestled at its feet, the desert beyond. A pylon turn about the peak and I couple of blips on the trim to point me downhill headed me back towards our home away from home at Big Bear City. I had ten miles to lose 5,000?, and as always, was thankful for the braking action of the Hartzel scimitar swinging up front. Pattern altitude and flap speed came together as I drew abeam the field, and I was in the groove for Runway 08. Two chirps and a turn to our hangar ? and I felt my cell phone ringing. It was Louise asking ?how is it up there?? Which was quickly followed by ?Don?t put the Val away for the day ? I think I need to check it out for myself!? Absolutely my dear ? go forth and enjoy! A day like this was made just for flying in the mountains with an RV?.
Paul