KORS (Orcas Island, WA) November 2014

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It’s our Anniversary weekend and  so we decide to go to Orcas Island. Orcas Island is part of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. We booked the weekend at the Rosario Resort and didn’t rent a car; initially.

This is only our 3rd trip in the plane and we thought we could spend the weekend at the resort without a car. We were wrong. After we landed, we called a taxi, they drove us to the resort on the eastside on the island, about 15 minutes from the airport and away the center of town. Once we were dropped off at reception, we found out our room was up hill! We had to carry all of our things up the hill since we didn’t have a car and it was off season so there wasn’t a bellman.

When we got to our room it was like a dark studio apartment. Nothing like the photos online. We felt like we were too secluded in the dark old room with no car. We looked back at TripAdvisor and one contributor mentioned that some of the rooms are updated and some not. We were the only guests staying there and went back to reception and asked if they had any other rooms. They did! We moved all of our things down the hill, closer to the main building and our room was very bright and modern.

We walked around the resort a little bit the next morning then decided we really needed a car to go out and explore. The resort was nice, but since we went during the off season the only thing open was the restaurant and it was too cold to swim.

We called a local rental car company, Orcas Island Car Rentals to inquire about a car. We found out we could get one delivered to our room to use in the morning and leave it at the airport when we were done. (I think they are used to people requesting cars as the seaplane company drops people off in the summer time right at the Rosario dock.)

We took the car over to Moran State Park and The Little Dude got a drive nap. We then headed to the Eastbound area to have dinner and check out the shops. They have so many cute shops. We decided on lunch at The Madrona Bar and Grill. The Hotel even had a preferred babysitter list, so we tried their recommendation for a sitter and went to the restaurant to have our Anniversary dinner.

We flew back over the beautiful sound on the way home with a few lessons learned and a new stop under our belts.

KCOE (Coeur d’Alene) September 2014

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Our second family flying overnight trip was to Coeur d’Alene. The Little Dude is 15 months and we have had the plane for 3 months. We decide to go over the mountains, over eastern Washington and to Idaho. We install The Little Dudes car seat behind Papa Pilot so he is close to us. It is still pretty warm so we don’t need a lot of gear. We did decide to pack the umbrella stroller and the hiking carrier. The flight to KCOE is about 2 hours. Before we leave home, we make reservations to stay 2 nights at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

We land and taxi to Resort Aviation where we pick up our pre arranged rental car. The Little Dude is really excited to see the fuel truck on the ramp.

At the hotel, The Little Dude and I watch the fish in the fish tank while Papa pilot gets our room. We rest for the night. The next day we decide to walk around since we are within walking distance of the downtown. We then wanter Independence point and the city park and beach. We find a really cool park with baby swings. Baby Swings seems to be a hard to come by commodity at parks. The Little Dude is walking well, but enjoys the swings. For Dinner we venture out of the walking bubble and drive to sushi. The view from our room has a spectacular view of the lake.

The next morning we decide to go on a small hike close by around Tubbs Hill, the walk through McEuen Park. The park is a very popular place with tons of kids playing and a splash area. Everything is so close together. We head home after breakfast the next day for an easy flight home.

 

KONP (Newport, OR) September 2014

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Were new to the family flying routine but we decided to go on a weekend trip to a new destination: Newport, Oregon. Newport is a fairly large airport has rental cars, an aquarium and other services nearby. We decide to fly in and stay 2 nights. We booked the Hallmark resort and got a lower level room. This was mama pilots first time to the PNW coast and it is a cold beach!

We flew in and it it is sunny, which is rare. The Oregon coast is known for being cool and overcast even in the summer months. We go to dinner at the at original Mo’s chowder house in the city center before heading to the hotel.

The next day is overcast and misting. We drive down to the sea lion caves. We walk down the stairs and enter the cave, but there are no sea lions out at the time. They are super nice about it and offer us a rain check to come back in a year and try again.

The next morning we go to the Newport Aquarium. We do get to see a sea lion and the aquarium and The Little Dude enjoys the fish tunnel.

When we are ready to fly home it is still overcast as we have to get our clearance to depart from flight service. We wait on the ground for about 10 minutes till we are released. We pop up and through a small overcast layer and then its VFR to S50.

KBDN (Bend, OR) July 2014

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We’re just starting to use the airplane as our time machine. We decide to go to Bend for July 4th  weekend with our friends the Hoffs. Since we are a family of three and they are family of four we can’t I’ll fly down together. So Papa pilot, Mama pilot and The Little Dude fly down. Then, Papa pilot returns to Auburn to pick up the Hoff’s.

We rent a VRBO right on the Deschutes River  that we can see the fireworks off Pilot Butte at 10pm when all the kids are asleep. The VRBO was the best VRBO we had ever rented. It was a nice large three bedroom and had a stocked kitchen and bar. We hung out in front of the VRBO and set off fireworks and in the evening enjoyed the city firework show. Our friends who were also down from Seattle visiting Sunriver were also able to come up and visit with us.

For the return we went as a 2 ship. Mama pilot and The Little Dude flew with Grandpa in the Trinidad and the Hoff family flew with Papa pilot in the bonanza. Our first trip to a new destination as two families was a total success. We can’t wait to go on another adventure!

2014-06 0S9 (Port Townsend, WA)

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We have only had the plane for a short time and decide to take a quick day trip to 0S9. It is only a 30 minute flight to Port Townsend and our friend and her husband just bought their retirement house there and invite us to visit. Our friends pick us up at the airport. We park in front of the restaurant, the spruce goos,e since there is open parking. we visit a park and walk on the tide flats. It is so nice to take the quick flight vs a 2 hour drive. We are starting to explore in the plane and learning how much time we can save by flying!

 

 

KBDN (Bend, OR) Our First Trip!! May 2014

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Our First Trip! We don’t have a hangar yet and Papa Pilot picked up the plane from Sisters, OR and flew it up to KRNT. We loaded up the family station wagon for the first time! Little Dude is 11 months old. We find the Baby Banz 0-2 age for his ear protection and head to KBDN. After take off, Mama pilot slips to the back to keep him company. We have a great time visiting Gramie and she picked us up from the airport