Where I Fly.

[JohnB]

I knew exactly where that was before reading the captions. I'm a Michigander and my family has a cottage near Petoskey, which isn't far from the Mackinac bridge and island. Thanks for the beautiful pictures.

I bet you'll recognize this place then Phil. The Bayview Inn in Petoskey.
Our Son got married there in August. Petoskey is such a nice town and I bet you enjoy going back to visit.

[PapuaPilot]

Absolutely recognized it. The top left corner is the golf course. We have been vacationing at our cottage on Pickerel Lake since I was a kid.

Did you land at Mackinac Island? I have several times. The first time I didn't go there with a plane was on my honeymoon.

Here is a picture of the Mackinac bridge from a slightly different angle. It was a calm day on Lake Huron, we were in my brother's 26' boat.

[JohnB]

Yes, we landed on the Island and stayed at the Chippewa Hotel overnight. Glad we went when we did as they said everything was closing down for the winter just a couple of days after we were there.

[HighWing]

Several Years ago a flight of 6 formed up at a grass strip on a mega cattle ranch in Northern Nevada. The plan was to stop for fuel at Elko for a flight to the West Desert Fly-in just West of Utah Lake, in the state of Utah. My leg began at my home in Cameron Park continuing over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and over Lake Tahoe. Then continuing over Nevada's state capital, Carson City, then over the legendary silver mining "Ghost Town" Virginia City. Continuing over Western Nevada, we entered Utah and followed I80 over the Great Salt Lake Desert salt flats then to the West Desert Airstrip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZgYw13FXmc

[SkySteve]

Lowell,
Thanks for the vid. I've been to the West Desert Airstrip (U99) and didn't know they had a fly-in. Do you know if they still have it?

[HighWing]

Steve,
I don't know. I suspect they are, but the latest I could find online was an event Sept 5 2014. I understand that the airport is owned by one of the Rans Distributors. They have a facebook page with some information.

[SkySteve]

Thanks, Lowell. I found them on Facebook.

[jrevens]

Several Years ago a flight of 6 formed up at a grass strip on a mega cattle ranch in Northern Nevada...

That looked like a great trip Lowell! I love the videos... thanks for posting it.

[t j]

A couple days ago over the Yakima River between Ellensburg and Yakima. People often wonder how the river cut all those curves and oxbows down through the hills. The river was actually there first. The land was flat so the river meandered all over the place. Then the hills were created by folding.

Reds Fly shop
2544-Red's Fly Shop-Yakima River Canyon.jpg

I drove this highway from Yakima to Ellensburg every day to commute to College in 1970. before the freeway was built over the top.
2545-Little Loop Downstream of the Oxbow-Yakima River.jpg

2546-The Big Oxbow In Yakima River Canyon.jpg

An old Airway Beacon site on Umtanunum Ridge half way between yakima and Ellensburg.
SB1114 DESIGNATION - WENAS AIRWAY BEACON Y 1
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1941 (JCS) SB1114'STATION IS A STANDARD RED AND WHITE STRIPED, ROTATING TYPE, AIRWAY SB1114'BEACON WITH A CONTROL AND FUEL HOUSE AT ITS BASE. BEING LOCATED ON SB1114'A PROMINENT HILL, IT MAKES AN EXCELLENT LANDMARK FOR 20 OR 30 MILES SB1114'AWAY. SEE DESCRIPTION OF TRIANGULATION STATION WENAS.
2542-Old Airway Beacon on Umtanum Ridge.jpg

On Google Earth today

[SkySteve]

TJ,
I've driven that road many, many times in days gone by, but to see it from the air is WAY cool! Thanks for the photos and story.