Reposition to Vegas
Thursday started with a run to a 24-hour Walmart store to pick up Stratux supplies. Investigation last night showed the micro USB connector to be less than stable. Just a little jiggling, and off went the device. Even holding the connector in wasn’t a sure-fire way to keep it running. Wallyworld yielded a new cable, soldering iron, and some solder. We will try the easy solution first. Back to the hotel for breakfast, pack up the overnight bag, and off to the airport.
We said bye to Tony and loaded up, pointing the nose to Sedona per the several suggestions here. We wondered aloud just how much the altitude would kick our behinds on the hike at 5000 feet. We live around 900 msl.
Some folks sure know how to dig a hole:
After an uneventful flight, we landed in Sedona. The wind over and around the rock formations made the approach to the SS Sedona Mesa Aircraft Carrier very eventful. Scott handled the challenge with minimal swear words and made a smooth touchdown, no arresting cables needed.
The turbulence was a standard high desert induced tumbler kind of day. It isn’t anything an RV can’t handle without blinking an eye, but it would surely grab the attention of pilots not expecting it. It sure did us the first couple of times decades ago. At times, it is the wind blowing up a mountain edge and tossing you around some when it has otherwise been smooth. At other times, it is the thermals and rollers. You can be cruising along at 150 knots, catch a thermal that encourages you to point the nose down to maintain altitude, but as soon as you exit the thermal, the speed decays and you’re at 110 knots to maintain altitude. You just need to be prepared to adjust your performance expectations and not get concerned with the changes. In the climb to 14.5, take advantage of the thermals, point the nose up to slow down and stay in the thermal longer. Again, just be ready to change attitude as soon as you exit the thermal. Glider training really did teach us something.
After we parked at the FBO, we procured some water and ice and headed for the Airport Loop trail. The loop was just as scenic as advertised. It was also moderately challenging as advertised. It wasn’t much elevation change, but you very much have to watch every step. We read about some folks who biked the trail, and while we are relatively adventurous on a mountain bike, we can only deduce those same people (if self-preservation was in their interest) never went back. The loop, plus the trail to get to it and back was a little over 4 miles and took us about 2.5 hours, with ample stops for picture taking. It was more steps than a normal mile, too. My stepper had 13,000 steps for the trek, which for 4 miles should have been closer to 8,000. It was worth the hike, but don’t engage the idea lightly and bring plenty of water.
Hard to miss the signage when it is brand new:
So really, you need a gate here?
Here is DOWN the other direction:
Mesa Grill served us up a tasty lunch (hat tip to Jim for the discount hint), and then off to Las Vegas. We had friends that were kind enough to find some hangar space for us, so 22C is living it up large as well. We can’t thank our friends Mark and Pat enough for securing hangar space for us.
The stratux stayed up for the 3 hours of flying time today. We may have to dodge some rain on Sunday, so hopefully it behaves itself and the solution is as simple as a new cable.
Our car got upgraded from an intermediate to a Mustang convertible. Vegas temps a bit cooler than normal, a convertible, what could go wrong?
To finish the day, we shuffled to the hotel, finally washed off the red dust from Sedona, found some munchies (Irma’s was much better), and set off to recover for tomorrow’s adventures.
Since Rosie is why we are here, I’ll say his words...Keep Pounding Those Rivets!!!