Airplane Noise and Blue Skies

If you love to watch military aircraft, Whidbey Island in Washington State is the place.

You can camp at Deception Pass State Park or enjoy the beaches near Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Take a seat and hear the jets roar or watch the marine patrol aircraft take off and land.

If you have a military ID, you can enter the base for an even closer look at the EA-18G Growler fighter jets ...

... and the larger maritime patrol and reconnaissance P-3 Orions and P-8 Poseidons. All of these planes and their personnel keep our country secure and safe.

In between sorties there are blue skies and white clouds to enjoy. -- Margy

997's Annual Inspection

997 on jacks to swing the gear.

We took our Piper Arrow 997 to Vertex Aviation Services for the first time for an annual inspection. Vertex is located at Skagit Regional Airport about fifteen minutes flight time from our homebase at Bellingham International Airport.

We are very happy with the service at Vertex. Owner Lin Holdeman squeezed us into an already busy shop schedule. You can read more about the annual here.

Owner Lin giving us personal attention.

This week we picked 997 up to return her to the hangar at Bellingham. Come along for the ride.

Wayne and I enjoy flying throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts will enjoy reading about some of our adventures in Flying the Pacific Northwest. Follow us to out-of-the-way spots in Western Washington and Oregon where recreational pilots and their aircraft have the freedom to pursue adventure. It's available in print and e-book formats at Amazon and at most online booksellers. -- Margy

Available Online: "Paddling the Pacific Northwest"

Paddling the Pacific Northwest
by Wayne J. Lutz

from
www.PowellRiverBooks.com

Come along on a paddling adventure.

Grab a paddle as the author leads you on day trips and overnight adventures on the rivers and lakes of northwestern Washington. 

Paddling the Pacific Northwest takes you to out-of-the-way destinations where kayaking allows us to pursue our innermost individual freedoms. Come along on freshwater exploits in a sea kayak as a Canadian paddler heads south to probe the rivers of Washington, searching for “slow pushers” to propel his kayak lazily downstream mile after mile. A travelogue memoir of enlightening adventures set in the magic of the Pacific Northwest. 

Check us out online:

Print for $12.95
Kindle for $5.99 
E-book for $5.99

A Change of A(l)titude

Approach to Astoria Regional Airport in Oregon.

This week Wayne and I took our plane 997 out for a Pacific Northwest vacation.

We ended up going to three of our favourite camping airports: Chehalis and Orcas Island in Washington, and Siletz Bay in Oregon.

Chehalis Airport campground.

Our first stop was Chehalis Airport. We started out for Siletz Bay, but coastal low clouds made us change our destination. Chehalis is the friendliest airport for campers with locals stopping by to offer assistance. Camping is free in a grass area with covered picnic tables, a restroom, a golf course restaurant nearby (we had dinner and breakfast), and a shopping center within walking distance.

Final approach at Orcas

The next day we tried Siletz Bay again, but no luck. We headed north to Orcas Isalnd Airport. Orcas has a large grass tiedown area for tenting under your wing, no bag drag needed. This is also a very friendly airport. We walked the short trail to Eastsound for a sunset dinner overlooking the bay. The next morning, we used my Meal Kit for breakfast in camp.

Camping at Siletz Bay Airport in Oregon.

Three's a charm. The clouds had just moved off the coast and we finally made it into Siletz Bay. Here there are two campsites nestled in the trees, but we set up our tent on the tarmac because no one else was around. We walked across Highway 1 to the Side Door Cafe for a wonderful dinner. We woke up to fog, but by the time we finished our camp breakfast it was gone.

Final approach at Olympia Regional Airport.

We tried two new airports for fuel. McMinnville Municipal Airport houses Oregon's Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum with the Spruce Goose. Fuel is self-serve and there's camping on the field, but it's too rough for our Piper Arrow. Olympia Regional Airport is near the Washington State Capitol and has fuel by truck.

You can read more about our Pacific Northwest flying adventures in Wayne's book Flying the Pacific Northwest. It's available in print and e-book formats. Happy flying! Wayne and Margy

Kindle $5.99

Print from Amazon.com $10.95

Check with your favourite e-book dealer for other formats.

USC Women's Basketball Team Wins the PAC-12 Championship

Wayne and I spent last weekend enjoying the PAC-12 Women's Basketball Tournament at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Throughout the season, we traveled to watch the USC women play at schools in California, Arizona, Washington, and Oregon. This year we especially enjoyed following the progress of senior Cassie Harberts.


She's a forward and makes a lot of points each game. She's a great athlete, but she's very humble and gracious to her fans. I remember her talking with a group of high school players after a home game with lots of pictures, autographs, and encouraging remarks.


Cassie has wonderful support from her parents. This season both her mother and father faithfully came to each of her games and cheered their hearts out. Here's Dad celebrating the USC victory on the Jumbotron.


We were so happy for the entire team as they fought their way to become the champions of the tournament. Congratulations to every woman on the team, the support staff, and Coach Cooper.


Well done everyone, with honour and style. See you at the NCAA games. Fight on! -- Margy

Lopez Island, WA

Having an airplane in the Pacific Northwest can be a lot of fun when the weather cooperates. From our home base at Bellingham Airport, we can easily hop out to the San Juan Islands in less than half an hour.


Earlier this month we did just that. We took 997 out for a little jaunt to Lopez Island. This is one of the quieter spots. We've been here before to take a walk into town for lunch. It's a bit of a hike, but a pleasant one.


This trip was to exercise the plane and for us to get recurrent. Are you looking for interesting places to fly? Check out Wayne's new book, Flying the Pacific Northwest. There's lots of other suggestions for interesting destinations. -- Margy

Cardinal and Gold vs Orange and Black

http://osubeaverstore.com

It's football weekend. Wayne and I came down to Oregon State in Corvallis to watch the match-up with our team from the University of Southern California. The USC Trojans met the Oregon Beavers for an excellent football game this evening.


The 31 to 14 winning results gave the Trojans a 6-3 record (2nd for the south division of the PAC12) and the Beavers a 6-3 record (3rd for the north division of the PAC12). Things are heating up with just a few conference games to go for the season.

While we can't make it to Berkley for the next USC game against Cal (Saturday, November 9, at noon), you can be sure Wayne and I will be watching it on television. Fight on! -- Margy

Airplane Camping at Chehalis Airport

Wayne and I love airplane camping. One of our favourite spots is the Chehalis/Centralia Airport (KCLS).

During the disastrous storm of December 2007, the Chehalis River flooded the airport and nearby I-5. Today, there's little evidence of the devastation except for a new administrative building on pilings to weather any future storms.

Chehalis is a friendly airport. Every time we camp, people stop to say hello, or to offer us rides to the nearby shopping center and restaurants. There is even a courtesy car just for the asking. But we like to walk for fun and exercise.

The campground is unique at an airport of this size. You can park your plane at the edge of the grass and put up your tent next to the wing. There are covered picnic tables and spotless restrooms.


If you don't want to cook, there are several options within walking distance. Take the bridge over the canal and across the street to the Riverside Golf Club for lunch or dinner. It's fun to sit on the deck and watch the golfers finish the last hole. You can also walk to the other side of the airport to the adjacent shopping center. There's a gate at the approach end of Runway 34. but the safest way is to walk around the perimeter on the gravel path. There are several fast food restaurants and an Applebees across from Walmart.

If you are looking for a quick gas stop (the cheapest around), a place to camp, a round of golf, or a quick bite, give Chehalis/Centralia Airport a try. For more information, go to FlyCLS.com.

Do you like to read about flying adventures? Take a look at Up the Airway. It includes stories about flying in Canada, Coastal BC, and the Pacific Northwest. - Margy

Airplane Camping at Siletz Bay Airport

Our trusty Piper Arrow 997 spent the last six weeks in the avionics shop getting her radios refurbished. Immediately after getting her back, we were ready for an airplane camping trip.

We had a good weather window last week (for flying and sleeping outdoors), so we packed up our gear and headed out.

Camping by airplane is like the car camping I did as a kid. You take a tent, sleeping bags, air mattress, and other basic gear. At your destination, you set up camp. The difference is your "campground" is next to your plane on an airport.

Our destination for the first night was Siletz Bay Airport (S45) at Gleneden, Oregon.


It's one of our favorite spots when skies are clear because there's no IFR (instrument) approach.

Gleneden Beach, Oregon is about two hours of flying time away from our home base at Bellingham International Airport. So far, we’ve had the camping area all to ourselves. That's our preferred place to stay, but we've also walked north along Highway 101 to the stay at the Salishan Spa and Golf Resort.

We love to eat out. There are two excellent restaurants within walking distance. One is the at the Salishan. Our favourite is the Side Door Café. Cross Highway 101 where a trail leads up to the Gleneden Beach Loop and the restaurant. They are closed on Tuesdays, so we walked to the Boar's Head Deli across from the resort. It's only open for lunch, so we got a salad to take back to camp for dinner.

There are many interesting things within walking distance of the airport. Take the Gleneden Beach Loop and walk past beautiful beachfront homes. Take the Loop south to Wesler Street and turn west to the Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site and the mighty Pacific Ocean. North of the Salishan Resort is Siletz Bay. It's a bird-watcher’s paradise. Whether you are looking for a dinner or overnight destination, try Siletz Bay State Airport at Gleneden Beach.

Want to learn more about flying to remote airports along the Pacific Coast and in Canada? Try Wayne's book Up the Airway. You'll enjoy it whether your are a pilot or adventurer at heart. -- Margy

Off-road Humour

I saw this older SUV parked at the Skagit Regional Airport after a ground soaking spring rainstorm.

It's owner is either a local farmer with wet fields, or a backcountry enthusiast. But what really caught my eye was the GOT MUD? message etched into the encrusted dirt. And, of course, the☺on the gas cap.  Someone has some great off-road humour. -- Margy

Little Red Caboose Cafe in Blaine, WA

Thursday was a day off for me.  I took Wayne to the Vancouver Boat Show for Off the Grid presentations then took my time getting back to Bellingham. My first stop was the Peace Arch International Park, a free zone between the Canadian and U.S. border crossings.

After clearing customs, I stopped in Blaine, Washington. After strolling around the marina and looking at boats, I got hungry. I drove down Blaine's main drag, aptly named Peace Arch Portal Way, and found a cute little cafe in a remodeled caboose.

Not only is the Little Red Caboose Cafe cute, it has great food.  It's family owned by Dave and Susan Smith. They are open for breakfast with traditional combos and early morning sandwiches, and lunch with sandwiches (including Philly cheese steak) and salads. Or just stop by for a latte inside or on the patio.

I opted for a wrap. Sorry, I was so hungry I took a bite before taking the picture.  But that lets you see how good it looks inside and out.

I love trains.  I love good food. I can't think of a better way to combine both into a fantastic treat.

Do you have any special family owned restaurants or shops that you love to visit? I'd love to hear about them. -- Margy

Peace Arch Provincial Park

I pass through the joint US and Canadian Peace Arch International Park heading north and south from my Powell River home to visit my mother in Bellingham south of the border.  Every time I'm reminded that I have my feet firmly planted in two countries.


The United States is my birth country. And that's where I was headed yesterday, passing the Peace Arch monument.


Canada is my adopted country and I love living here.  On the Canadian side, the monument's motto is "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity."


Even though we I have our differences, we have many commonalities. As the border officer said, welcome home. Yes, even though my real home is in Powell River, BC, the US will remain home to me. -- Margy

Bellingham International Airport

Our airplane 997 is home based at Bellingham International Airport (BLI).  BLI is located in northwest Washington near the Canadian border. This places it in an excellent position for border crossings. Customs and Immigration services are available on the field. It is also a good jumping off point for the San Juan Islands in the nearby Puget Sound (see San Juan Island Flying Adventure).

There's plenty of transient parking on the ramp and services include fuel (Bellingham Aviation Services and Bellingham Fuel Services), maintenance and avionics. Whatcom Territory Aero Service (360-647-2376) is our maintenance facility.

Bellingham International is expanding. In addition to private aviation, it has major carrier service provided by Alaska Airlines to destinations like Seattle, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Portland. Allegiant takes travelers direct to Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, and Phoenix.  San Juan Airlines will get you to the nearby San Juan Islands, Anacortes, Seattle, and British Columbia.

Whether you are looking for an excellent home base for your airplane, a great place to visit, or a handy departure point for a vacation or business trip, take a base turn to final and join us at Bellingham International.
 

Even on a wet winter day there's lots to see and do. -- Margy

Bridge Over North Fork of the Nooksack River

Just an hour or so away from Bellingham, WA, is another world, one of trees, big mountains, and rushing rivers. On a warm fall day, a drive up Mt. Baker Highway SR 542 will take you to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. An unnamed bridge crosses the fast running glacial melt waters of the North Fork of the Nooksack River near the Douglas-Fir Campground.

This bridge is in the Pacific Northwest rainforest. The annual rainfall is about 67 inches per year, with snowfall of about 43 inches. That makes for lots water in almost all seasons.

With all that moisture, even a concrete structure like this bridge becomes home to mosses and other hardy plants.

For more bridges from all over, head on over to San Francisco Bay Daily Photo, the home of Sunday Bridges. -- Margy