Spring weather leads us for a long weekend trip to Bend! It’s blue skies on the way out and it looks good for us to get back late in the weekend. The flight there was just absolutely gorgeous. There were snow capped calderas’s frozen lakes and picturesque views of the mountains.
Mama pilot flew us down. Papa pilot had already flown earlier in the day for work.
The Bend tower is being built! The metal frame is started. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes coming into and out of Bend.
As we set off from downtown Boise, the excitement was palpable. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on our path, and the anticipation of the zoo visit added a spring to our step. The zoo, with its vibrant animal exhibits, was a delightful distraction, and we enjoyed watching the playful antics of the monkeys and the majestic strides of the big cats.
After soaking in the sights and sounds, we settled into our pre-flight routine. The little dude was buzzing with energy, his eyes wide with curiosity about the cockpit and all its buttons. “Can I sit up front?” he asked, his voice filled with hope. I chuckled and assured him he could, imagining the thrill he’d feel soaring through the skies.
With our sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s packed away and our spirits high, we made our way to the airport. The thought of our cozy seats in the back, with the iPad ready for a movie marathon, made the four-hour flight seem like a breeze. As we boarded the plane, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me—adventures await, and this was just the beginning!
After obsessively stalking the weather for a week, we decided to ditch our airline tickets and wing it south instead! Oregon looked a bit iffy, but we were ready to dance with the clouds. Our first stop? Bend, OR, for a cozy overnight stay. (But this isn’t a Bend post)
We took off from Auburn in clear skies, but as we cruised south, we soared above a fluffy 7,000-foot cloud blanket and below a 15,000-foot one.
Once we crossed the Columbia River and waved at Mount Hood, things turned a bit gloomy to the south. Madras had a ceiling of 5,000 feet, so we were hoping to slip under the weather wall, but guess what? Snow decided to crash the party! We tracked the Nexrad radar, plotting our escape route. If things got too hairy, we could always just continue to the east as our alternate was Boise.
With I-84 airports on our radar, we were ready for a soft landing at BOI. As we zoomed past Baker City, we changed our minds and opted to head south instead of east, making a 270-degree turn. Just in time, we landed before the rain decided to join us!
After our flying escapades, Papa Pilot suggested Barbacoa for dinner. Oh. My. Goodness. What a gem! This place has an ambiance that screams “good vibes,” and their steaks are served sizzling on hot rocks—talk about a dinner experience!
We wrapped up our adventurous day with some pool time and a soak in the hot tub. What an exciting start to our trip!
A crisp fall day and a local flight. We headed to Amelia’s at the Bremerton Airport. The airport cafe has been updated since we were last there. It was bustling with patrons for a Tuesday at 1pm. For good reason we discovered, the food was fantastic.
We took turns being PIC for the short :15 flight from S50. The plane is recently back from annual with a new engine monitor.
Dogs First Trip. After a night in Bozeman, we flew to Custer, South Dakota. We were on the way to visit family who were also staying in the area horse camping. During our time in South Dakota we visited Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore and Needles Highway. We went fishing too!
Heading home the smoke had moved out. We headed to Missoula for a quick lunch.
As we traveled east for our summer trip we were stopped by smoke! In our pre planning we were watching the smoke map as the plume was moving from Northern California to the northwest.
Are we flew east the smoke was getting thicker and we decided to overnight in Bozeman. We stayed in downtown and visited with friends from Seattle. Next Stop Custer, SD.
Our excursion to the San Juan Islands was a delightful triumph. The weather was perfect as we embarked on a day trip for lunch and a hike. While Eastsounds offers a crew car, availability was on a first-come, first-served basis. Naturally, we brought Scout along. Our initial plan was to use the car, with a backup of strolling into town for a snack. It had been some time since our last visit to Orcas Island, and we look forward to returning in the summer for extended daylight hours and camping. Fortunately, we secured the car! We decided to stop by the Orcas Island Hotel close to the ferry terminal for a snack and some coffee, where the beignets were a treat. Later, we made our way to Moran State Park, coinciding with a 100-mile race. Scout brought joy to Cascade Lake, where a hydration station was set up for the racers. Although we only explored a small portion of the lakeside trail, the surroundings were rich with ancient trees. Witnessing a breathtaking sunset on our return journey was the perfect ending, topped off by our little companion leading us back home.
We recently welcomed a new addition to the family – Scout, a miniature Australian Shepherd, who is the most relaxed puppy you’ll ever meet. On Presidents Day, we decided to take Scout on a flight. Although we had hoped to fly to the San Juan Islands, the rain hindered our plans as it lingered just east of the Olympics, preventing us from heading towards the islands. Instead, we opted for a local flight to help Scout acclimate to the sounds and movements of the airplane. We circled around Snoqualmie Falls and our house a few times. We look forward to attempting the trip to the islands on another day.
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