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2014 -----Alaska, first encounter.

Vlad

Well Known Member
I started planning a trip to Alaska two years ago. First time the life was on the way, second time - a job transition. NOW or NEVER I said to myself. Took a vacation plus some unpaid time, loaded my plane with all kinds of gear a pilot could imagine (except a thing I really needed) and launched.





Launched a day ahead of my schedule. My Chief Meteorologist Rocky literally pushed me out of the nest. A big hurricane was heading to East Coast and there were already some buildups. Come on Russki he said, fly to Lansing MI, spend a night at my place then go your way in nice weather. He also mentioned something about food and gas...

In an hour or so I had to land at Deck PA 9D4 to wait till front passes.







It's a real countryside there with proper smell.






T-storm dissipated and I was on the way again. There was some lower visibility by Cleveland OH then by Detroit everything was nice and rosy. 3 hours later I landed at Lansing MI.

These are island on Lake Erie Put-in-Bay being the major one. I landed on all of them a year ago.




Great dinner followed by a good night sleep. Then Rocky dispatched me with father's blessing...







Air over Lake Michigan was very smooth on 4th of July. Somewhere in the middle of the Lake the engine ran a bit rougher. The roughness was immediately cured by a half turn of red knob in. Those who flew over water know what I am talking about.












These stacks look familiar.








A year ago.







On the other side of the Great Lake I landed on an airport hoping to get some mogas. But it was too early on a holiday and pumps were locked. I had plenty of fuel and pressed farther...


 
One memorable airport in Minnesota. Not because the pumps are locked and manager is two hours away.




But because of a thick talmood on the counter where all pilots registered since 1961. I put my autograph there too.











For gas I proceeded to Pipestone MN. It has two runways guess on which one I landed.









It was getting hot even at an altitude when I crossed into North Dakota. Tracked Missouri river for half an hour trying to locate a landing strip by a swimming hole with no luck. All beaches were too far it's one of them.








Another hour and I was on the ground at Hazen, ND. With a nice place to rest at the airport and a crew van.







And this was Day One. :D
 
Well rested I started another day. The plan was to track Missouri River as far west as I can. Silky smooth air with great visibility added much enjoyment.




Early beachgoers.








And then there were oil rigs. An Army Rig.






A Navy well.






A rig of the AirForce.







A haliburton was digging in. Not a single person visible on site.










Have you ever tried to fly through the flame? Me neither. They say you would feel a good bump...





These riggers are smart. In case they drain all the oil they would switch to conolla.


 
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Followed Missouri River over an hour. Was so captivated with views and completely forgot about liquid management.





Here comes the biggest oily town of Williston.





Time to land I guess there would be no airports with washrooms for a good hundred miles. This quick P-stop almost cost me 30 bucks. But it was on Sunday and
the front desk was managed by very bright and capable young people. They surely cared about reputation of their business. By the time I left the restroom and got my credit
card out to pay the fee they smiled, waived the fee and let me go. Good people. They even asked what kind of airplane mine was...





The runway was intruded with strange rodents. They looked like sousliks of Kazakhstan. The beasts didn't care about mighty RV roaring on take off.





Good bye Oily Town of Williston.






Time to take a nap. Picturesque Fort Peck Lake is an hour away...







Dreamed of vineyards.







Woke up by a dam. Pillars are deceiving you can't fit between them but you can land on a bed behind it if you suddenly encounter carb ice.








Very impressive shoreline.









 
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Hays MOA was cold so I had all that airspace for myself. Still tracking Missouri River westbound...





It was turbulent in the canyon but no so over it.








A cabin Alaska style.








Landing sites.












A lot of caves. Larry how you hear?








My fuel was approaching reserves and I chose to land at Big Sandy MT. An airport with new long runway, cheap fuel and functional pump. The rest was a kind of dilapidated.











There was no running water at the FBO and I used a survival kit to wash my hands they were black from the pump hose.




Within 1/4 mile of the airport there was a gas station and a cafe. I was about to go there but quick teletype check yielded a better result. "RUSSIAN COME TO MISSOULA THERE IS FREE FOOD FOR YOU"
messaged JackM from WA. And to Missoula I went, hoping to get confirmation in the air...
 
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Reserved for tomorrow's thoughts.... Been a long day, wedding, Texas, drinking, dancing ect good night. :eek:

back to ct and totally enjoying vmans flying adventure. i still believe we have some of the best flying in the good old usa. such variety. can't wait for the good stuff. fly on comrade.
 
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The runway was intruded with strange rodents. They looked like sousliks of Kazakhstan. The beasts didn't care about mighty RV roaring on take off.

Those would be Dakrats...
http://www.minot.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123143274
090407-F-3001D-010.jpg
 
What a Country!

Vlad, your photos and comments remind me of the Russian comedian, Yakov Smirnoff. His favorite saying is, "What a country!" when referring to his experiences in the United States. Maybe you could write a book about your travels in your RV and call it, "What a Country!" :D
 
Thanks for the reports and pics Vlad. Myra and I are planning to go on a cruise to Alaska nest July or August. Keep the info coming.
 
:)

As always, thanks for sharing Vlad. Your adventures keep fueling the dreams of those of us who are still in the rivet pounding stage. Hung my engine yesterday - one step closer to the finish.

Dale
 
Vlad, I sent you a PM. You are welcome in Olympia, WA (KOLM) with a place to stay. I have a 9-A (first flight May 7) that looks similar to yours. Several of us RV'rs here. Be careful of Presidential TFR on July 22 in Seattle Area.
Jim Sygitowicz
 
Vlad:

Love your write-ups! They are awesome.

I also love how you demonstrate that you can have tons of fun without an $80k instrument panel!

Jamie
 
I love that he flies where he can see the ground. I'm one of the biggest sightseers when I fly.

That is probably the second best attribute of an RV-4... You can look under you on both sides! :)
 
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Vlad is a rock star

I would like to be like Vlad but have yet to venture beyond 300 miles. Am looking to fly Wichita to Salt Lake City to Olympia to Klamath Falls to Salt Lake City to Wichita in August. Not sure if I could come even close to a Vlad write up. He seems to fly low enough to see stuff. Impatiently waiting for tomorrow's write up.
You are a rock star Vlad.

Pat Garboden
Katy, TX
RV9A N942PT
 
Vladabout

Just to make sure everybody reading this thread knows, Vlad completed his trip to Alaska last Thursday, July 17. See the other thread.

After his fast paced (record setting?) trip was completed, he is now posting some of his many photos to this thread.

By the way, I checked his APRS tracks this morning and noticed he made a quick trip today from his home airport to Gaithersburg, MD; and he did an excellent job of staying clear of the Camp David airspace, P-40, R-4009.

He is truly a "Vladabout." :)
 
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Green grass and high tides...

I started planning a trip to Alaska two years ago. First time the life was on the way, second time - a job transition. NOW or NEVER I said to myself. Took a vacation plus some unpaid time, loaded my plane with all kinds of gear a pilot could imagine (except a thing I really needed) and launched.

Vlad,
Great trip write up!
I made the journey to our 49th state back in 04', pre-Ipad :) One of my favorite moments was landing on a deserted beach on the Cook Inlet at low tide next to a Maule driver who told me "you might want to check the tide tables". Ten minutes and a hasty takeoff later my beach was underwater! Note to self...

You're carrying the travel torch well bro, thanks for sharing!

Красиво сделано!
V/R
Smokey

PS: I recently found my RV4 travel log: 1997-98: 297 hours , 4 US trans-cons 1012 airports. Prototype Catto RV prop, 150HP, Electric T&B, automotive engine gauges and a Garmin E-Trex.....gas was $1.44 a gallon. Times have changed!
 
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Still trekking to the West

Thank you all. It's been quite a trip. I would call it 1st Biannual Alaska Trip to balance Caribbean Rosie...


.... Up to Missoula. Very impressive tectonics on the way. Bryan Douglass told me the name of the rocks but I forgot. Fascinating views.










The free food confirmation message was delayed but my belly didn't care it asked for food NOW. Down below I see a nice grass field I descended and landed.
It was not perfectly smooth and the air was somewhat unstable but I was hungry and cared less.












Couple of Cubbers and I started walking to town trading lies. Then the free food message came through. Hey guys I am sorry
I gotta turn around and fly out to Missoula there is lunch waiting for me.
Made great fun for everybody and run out of that bumpy high altitude grass strip.






Here it is Missoula MO. Whoa what a big airport! I might get lost there if nobody picks me up.






By the time I shut my engine down, Brian and his son tied me down to concrete so tight my RV could barely breath...
It's a fancy jet center how can I get outta here unscathed...







Great lunch followed by a Goodbye Girl visit. Look at her isn't she a beauty?







 
Bryan advised me on a route to Prosser WA. Them locals are good on knowing what to sightsee.






I was ready to depart and look at this. Scott and Deb Mills are blocking my way!












Small world of RVators! The Mills were heading toward some real vacation a la Tom-and-Bonnie style. We swapped couple bulls and left hospitable Missoula. On the way out I cheated a bit, followed Scott's RV and was released very fast. That's a big airport Missoula I might get stuck there on the tarmac without Scott. Scott gave me air-to-air freq which I effectively forgot. They went upper I stayed under the radar. Life was good...







Dear Boeing I have nothing to do with your derailed train carrying fuselages.











I was just passing by and my targets were these...














 
Enough Couer D-alene fun it looks like a sheriff's boat down there. A law abiding citizen retreats...





Doctor Pepper to the rescue from caliente.







An iron boa.








A sand box.




General public will never taste these premium wines. Don't ask me how I know. All the massandras from here go to Tzar Cellars to age.




This is a top secret lab. Do you see alien ships buried there nozzles up? Weird site. You can't go closer then this
you might get a shot...






It's time to go to Prosser, WA it's been a long day of enjoyment today.
Landed at Prosser S40 right on the centerline.








This is my host JackM the pilot, builder and owner of a Sleeping Beauty N819DJ. He visited East Coast several weeks ago now it's my turn...






And this is my hotel for couple days...


 
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The Valley of Sun. I need some tan before I go to the Great North. It's great to be
at right place in right time. Columbia River boat trip!! But first we visit Jim an RV10 builder.
Jim is making great progress on his 10.










But to accelerate it even further I would suggest to change your helpers Jim.







Road to Columbia River.







Justin my Chief Jetski Instructor.







The Flotillia ready to launch.












Enroute to a sand bank only selected people know.







Arrived.








I got checked out and soloed.



 
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Then I did some other crazy thing I thought I've never been capable of. After a dozen liftoff behind a power boat
the surf board magically raised and I was able to glide on top of water for couple minutes.
Now I can brag I walked on water...






The reward.







A lot of fun was had on the sand bank. Topped perfect weekend with a party at Jim's house. There were many people and I looked
like an ape from the Bronx Zoo.





After two days of intensive restotherapy I toured a juice processing facility thank you Jim. Very impressive. Ten times bigger and one hundred percent drier then Jeff's distillery in PA.
Then JackM and I drove via vineyards and orchards to get familiar with harvesters and leafers. Whoa again...


Early Tues morning Jack escorted me out of his aerodrome.







We did a pass over Jim's house to thank him for good time.







Then Jack let me go. By Mount Rainier







over an airport almost as big as Missoula











I arrived to Orcas Island one of the airfields closer to Canadian Border. I wanted to score an island, top off my fuel tanks,
fill up couple jerry cans in my baggage compartment and get ready for a 4+ hour nonstop jump over Canada
to Ketchikan, AK...








Продолжение следует...
 
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Great pictures as always. If you get a chance, you can take a Super Cub off the lake in Moose Pass Alaska and fly the glaciers and some of the wildlife areas low and slow and leave with some sea plane time. :) Absolutely Awesome!
 
Classic Shot

Vlad,

Your wake boarding picture is classic! The phrase that comes to mind when I see that is "Live Life To The Fullest".

Next, I'm half-way expecting to see a picture of you wrestling a grizzly bear!

Mike
 
Bryan advised me on a route to Prosser WA. Them locals are good on knowing what to sightsee.




Deb and I were pretty surprised to see Vlad's plane on the ground when we returned from lunch. :eek: The world is a small place when traveling in your RV. :cool:

We spent two days in Coeur d'Alene visiting my my sister and the surrounding area. (trip report to follow after Vlad is done) We took a tour of Lake Coeur d'Alene by boat, it's a beautiful natural lake, with a lot of BIG expensive homes on the shore line. I don't know how many people noticed, but that is actually the 14th green of The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course in the picture above. After your tee shot you take a boat out to the green to finish the hole. Green Fees for a round of golf at the resort, $225...

Regards,
 
Flight from Orcas Island to Ketchikan was long. 4 hours 10 minutes. A lot of beautiful fiords in British Columbia.








When you stare at rocks for long time you see faces and hear voices.







Once in a while a civilization pops up.







Somewhere here my APRS beacons were not porting through any iGates and I was no longer observed on ATC radar. Might be getting closer to Alaska.






Ketchikan weather was sketchy but nothing to worry about. Ceiling 1,800 feet.












First airport in Alaska and it's on an island one more to the collection.










After shutdown, still sitting in the cockpit, retrieved a message from a SkyExpress captain - hey you, is it your airplane parked next to the Goose?
Me; yes, where are you?
Him; just landed and on the way to town see ya next time...


 
I was watching you and the weather through this flight. When I saw you at 8500 and overcast 1800 at your destination, IFR at others, I wondered if you would find holes;-). I guess you did some how. Maybe you have magical powers to make them! Lol.
 
The Goose left minding his own business. I followed on mine...






It doesn't matter how good you think you are, doesn't matter if you train everyday in harsh simulated conditions, Alaska will show you who is the boss there.


Leaving Ketchikan for Sitka and looking for a hole in the skies. If those grey clouds look heavy they are heavy. Stay away.






There is a sliver of blue over there. It's a pretty wide patch. Clear of airport surface area let's go. Up to the top of VFR altitude...






Interesting phenomenon briefly occured on the way up. Why half of the wing is of different color? Will it be reversed on the way down?






Here is Sitka. An Elmendorf aircraft was ready to depart via .... the same point I was arriving... I tell them I am out of his way but he still asks if I have a transponder. Visibility was enough to request SVFR.






RV, say reason for deviation on final...
Birds sir...
We have them plenty here...





It was enough for today. Tomorrow weather don't promise to be better.






FBO people gave me a ride to a downtown hotel.











The hotel was quiet, clean and very nice but I couldn't sleep well. Probably too much adrenaline today. Or maybe because usual darkness never came and biological clock was shifted. Will see what tomorrow brings plan A is still a go...
 
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WOW!

Wow, low clouds, low vis and ice...
This is not a trip report, it's a thriller!
Thank you Vlad, for sharing your brilliant adventures!
 
You're my kind of pilot, Vlad!!! Clouds and sky all look the same from 10-15,000'. Enjoying the sights like you do is one of the best things about flying in an RV. Thanks for sharing that with us all.
 
Very interesting the two tone wing on the way up that reverses on the way down. Crazy weather up in that part of the world!
 
Very interesting the two tone wing on the way up that reverses on the way down. Crazy weather up in that part of the world!

Yes it is. I makes one think that a full length fuel tank would be a good anti icing device! Hmmmm - - or bad if going from cold to wet/warmer.

Great pictures as usual Vlad!! Having been caught in cloud once, flying under low clouds along the coast give me the puckers!

Be Safe.
 
Departing Sitka for Yakutat

Tomorrow has come. Calls were made and weather charts studied. I even asked a very native looking front desk lady if she knows any shaman who can beat a drum for a hole in the sky for me. That's how it looks from a Sitka hotel window at 6 am.





Nice FBO people sent a van for me and here I am at the airport waiting several hours for that promised MVFR to come. RV is fueled and ready too.







And it's raining again...






Three hours have passed fast. MVFR!! A Coast Guard helicopter is getting ready to depart the same direction I am going. Good sign...






Time to go. Are you ready to race cruise ship?!






Bye Sitka I might be back in 5 hours if weather doesn't cooperate on the other end. I have fuel onboard for 5+ hours...










It took me 40 minutes to get out of this mess...






GC helo was still tracking shoreline down low.







Still a long way to Yakutat and it cleared a bit over the water. Dive under maybe?


 
Glaciers!!

You gotta be kidding me! What is this? Where am I?





No jokes it is a glacier.





RV turns toward it against my will.










Just WOW! I have no other comments.
















A close sight of a soaring bold eagle put everything in place. OUT!!







Back to the shoreline back on track to Yakutat it looks like weather there is very good. It's still more then an hour to go ...
 
Another valley. It has a captivating power it just draws you in and you can't do anything about that. You are so fascinated with views that you stop scanning for emergency sites.









The air is surprisingly smooth not a single bump. A paradox.












I've never seen water of that color.







Somewhere here where glaciers' waters enter the Gulf a whale was feeding. Camera crapped...















I was dehydrated and completely forgot about liquids management. Finished the whole bottle of water...









Somehow sites became less pretty. It's still almost an hour to my destination and my emergency P-bottle is buried somewhere at the back.







Let's see what's on the ground. I knew there is a cluster of unimproved airfields somewhere here. I have an axe, a flare and a bear horn to scare a grizzly...








Can you guess which airfield I chose to land on?
 
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If you were going to land on those glaciers, you would have needed to borrow my Anti Splat device for the front wheel! HA!
 
Getting bushier

I flew over couple landing sites. What do they mean by "gravel not to FAA standards"?




This one looks legit. Dry Bay AK3. Long runway you can land a space shuttle there.







I was never so cautious on landing. Brought her in nice and slow almost like a helicopter. I was planning a short field but it was the longest one I ever made if calculated from touchdown to full stop. Used all 3,600 feet. Why? Piles of fist sized rocks were all over the strip and I couldn't drop the nose wheel. Tap the brakes, swerve a bit, add some rpm, jump a pile, then another one... Now it's time to stop there is no more room for a go around.






When I stopped I sat for a minute in the cockpit analyzing what's just happened. It looks like I am leaning to the left. Flat tire? I got tubes. Busted brake lines? I got means to fix but no brake fluid... dented prop?.... enough fantasies let's get out take a P and take a look. You grizzly better stay in those woods if you want to be alive.
















After all formalities were done and airframe inspected I walked the runway. I am closing my eyes on takeoff get me outta here baby.












That was the only sunny hour in Alaska for my weeklong trip there will be no more. Back on track to Yakutat there is fuel, food and booze.







 
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Yakutat! Finally a civilization!





Great visibility moderately long runways.






Plenty of parking and fuel.











If you plan multiple fueling from pumps like this you better bring some sort of filter with you. A seasoned AK driver told me about that long ago and I forgot.
There was a minor incident a day later when I sampled and fuel kept running from the drain. By the time I accessed my tools it stopped. A piece of debris was caught between O-ring. Didn't bring neither spare o-ring nor drain nor plug lesson learned.




I didn't stay long at Yakutat. Checked local weather, answered couple emails, found out if free lodge is available in case I return in 5 hours. Had a cup of tasty barley soup and launched toward Cordova.







The cruise ship won the race and was already on the way back. I decided to cross Yakutat Bay and kept a close eye on the ship.








Ceilings are lowering again.







Let's see how it looks on top. Oxygen in...






Nah. Cold and icy. Getting under again...


 
Couple iceberg fields on the way to Cordova.










More and more birds mostly seagulls.







Passing Kayak island.











Entering Orcas Inlet. Strong telephone signal appeared it means a good size village is nearby.







Here it is Cordova AK.






The joy of seeing a human settlement was immediately replaced by bird scare. Hundreds of seagulls from the surface to 2,000 feet I've never seen that many. They were like mosquitos everywhere. That little gravel strip is Cordova Municipal Airport CKU and I couldn't get to it. Meat bombs at every quadrant.







So I flew the gorge out and landed at Mudhole, a monster airport couple miles east of Cordova. No fuel no services. I asked a native how people land at that air carrier? The man was smart, smiled and told me wait till a seaplane goes there and follow him. "Or slow you rocket as much as you can and try it alone couple times. Birds can get annoyed and give you the right of way". Yeah, nice advice...



 
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Try #2. I did exactly as old man advised slowed it down to Piper Cub speed, dodged couple meat bombs and successfully touched down.






There is a paved road between parking and runway. You can taxi all the way to downtown I guess.















I grabbed my flight bag with essentials and went to town. I had a list of hotels-shmotels but couldn't call my ATT Go phone was not working there. So I walked to at least three joints and all were booked. At forth place a not so sober individual started asking some provocative questions and I didn't like it. I went back to the airport and sent an email to the Trip Headquarters. An urgent request for intel with key words like this; RV builder maybe RV10 Utah or Wyoming might be in Cordova now, name is associated with Uncle Sam Postal Service". In a Virginia bunker my intelligence adviser Glen was trying to piece these words into a credible asset. He personally knows Mr Google himself he can do it. No response was received within 30 minutes I returned to the plane, jumped in the cockpit and was ready to wroom out of this picturesque place back to Yakutat where I had a lodge reserved.



This Seagull Mob couldn't even suspect their leader will lose its head in 20 minutes.







Now the funniest stuff on the planet. I am heading out of that pest infested place flipping frequencies and arranging myself for a long flight. No word from Intelligence Advisor and I am loosing phone signal. I am about 20 miles out of Cordova just punched their advisory frequency last time by curiosity... what do I hear? "Hey RV9 where are you? Can you hear me RV?" Sure yes who are you? I am Bruce Stamper an RV builder I have a place for you to stay come back..." What a great surprise it looks like I am missing all that aerial fighting with approaching squall like. Little I knew how much work and communications were behind that call. Maybe Glen or Bruce will share details... :D


Quick turn and here I am back at the deck of an air carrier. On the rollout the Seagull Mob was still sitting at the middle of the runway fat and ignorant and I ran straight into it. Couldn't help myself the biggest mobster lost its head.





(Mods feel free to chop the pics if it against the rules)







Nice clean cut as a professional butcher at a poultry farm. My 4th confirmed kill.


 
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Here comes Bruce my savior. He and his family will be entertaining me for two days. The weather became so bad with squalls 50+ knots even seasoned fishermen didn't go to work. A local pilot joked it's because the Russian came, killed our magic seagull and made weather gods angry.





Bruce built a very nice house by a lagoon.




He has a Cub on floats parked by his house he uses it to spot fish.






He spots fish he relays coordinates to other fishermen. If he is not spotting he goes fishing in his own boat. Look at this Aluminum Mistress. Custom built like an RV.






Here is an RV Hotel. Upstairs where all his nets are there is a cozy den with a queen size bed. Super comfy.







Couple years ago there was a massive avalanche it wiped out a lot of trees. Missed Bruce property by a quarter mile or so.






Bruce gave me a tour of a fish processing plant. He brings his loot here on regular basis.






This man could separate fillet from a salmon in couple seconds. The demonstration followed...






Then Bruce dispatched some frozen salmon by Alaska airline to his customers and showed me a box (bottom left 75 pounder) he is keeping for an RV Fish-Fry-Fly-in he plans to host sometime in the fall in Wyoming at his airport. Stay tuned.


 
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Your almost to my house Vlad. Keep going and don't turn back.


Bruce I don't have enough words to express my gratitude for everything you've done for me. Thanks a lot keep up good work. I will be back in two years :)



... We had a lot of fun during weather gods sabbath... No flying of course and no boating just trucking. We visited downtown Cordova multiple times.







We got a sneak peek on a new airboat under construction and watched how torn nets are repaired.











Checked on a whale bone.







Visited Swell Dancer.






Toured a harbor boardwalk in a truck. Lots of pests.









That vessel is one of the Deadliest Catch sloops. Forgot the name.





And of course we ate a lot. All home cooked stuff all healthy all good. The hurricane was still raging. Bruce told me a couple of not so experienced foreign captains reportedly run their ships aground...



 
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Next day we were still in an entertainment mode. I won a dance contest on a Cossaks song. Bruce won a reggie...









And we ate again...






Somebody called from the airport my elevator stops were missing. We grabbed couple giant wood clamps, run to the field and fixed the issue. The stops were simple round moving pads joined by a zip tie. Zip ties were sheared the gales were so strong. Thanks good people for watching my plane.






The day after next we went to SEE THE WEATHER. We drove out of the gorge to Mudhole airport to take a look what's going on there. The forecast was showing better visibility over the shore.





Ha! Do you see people flying? Good sign.





Several hours later Bruce topped me off at wholesale price. There is an affordable 100LL in Alaska you have to know right people...







Then he drove his truck clearing the runway for me. What stupid creatures are those seagulls.







My Plan A and Plan B were scrapped and Plan C became effective. Which means I am turning back. That bird strike I mentioned earlier was the decision making point. Sometimes enough is enough. Bruce said if I get into a weather I am not comfortable with I can always come back and spend as much time with them as I want. I made a CANPASS call and the other side gave me confirmation number right away. "Be careful buddy and welcome to CanaDA"


On one of intermediate stops I asked the big guy if there is any ice in sky. He said no but it tops at 15. I had oxygen left for 2 hours more then enough to jump over the layers. XXX Radio RV requesting SVFR to the east will report clear of the surface...





I will spare you the details how I got here where RV can not climb anymore even at WOT.






Now there is a point of no return to Bruce. Greg Arehart, an RV9 builder, is waiting for me in Atlin, BC. The weather at his side is CAVU and he has fresh oil for my RV. I still have an hour and thirty minutes leg to get to him...


To be continued...
 
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Bruce - you are a life saver! Sweet boat too! I owe you. Will configure Devastator for long range bombing run to Wyoming when you transmit the "all clear" message!

For the curious, Vlad's communication was brief -
"looking for local. stop."
"Building rv-10. stop."
"Fisherman. stop."
"Can you contact? stop."​

Not much to go on. I wasn't overly optimisting ...

Google search was "site:vansairforce.com rv-10 alaska fisherman"

but first result of first attempt was gold! The rest was phone calls and emails. Bruce was brilient to jump to the radio. Alaska really teaches fast thinking!

The internet gods were generous that night.
 
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