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

My New Kodiak 450 4X4

When I started riding a quad, I had a snazzy red two-wheel drive Honda, but I couldn't climb uphill like the "big boys" with four-wheel drive. I had to get a running start and hope I made it to the top. It was always an uncomfortable feeling.

Now I have a silver Kodiak 450 4X4 and can climb uphill a lot better.


When Wayne and I follow our good friend John on the logging roads and trails around Powell River, he will raise his arm and extend four fingers to let us know it's time to shift into four-wheel drive for an uphill leg. This illustration entitled "Four" from Up the Main was drawn by John's father, Ed.

I love my Yamaha 4X4 Kodiak 450 (now called the Grizzly 450). I got mine at Quality Parts in Powell River. Shopping local is important. It supports local businesses, and it's good for the customer, especially in a remote locations like ours. If I purchased a model that didn't have a local dealer, I would have to travel on a ferry (or two) to get warranty service and maintenance. That's not easy or convenient. -- Margy

Trolling for Trout

Wayne and I do most of our fishing near our float cabin home on Powell Lake. At the end of a warm spring or summer day, you'll find us out in our tin boat trolling for trout through First Narrows and out into the main lake.

We use a Garmin Fishfinder 160C to help guide us to likely spots.  Newer models are here. It's full colour display is easy to read and gives us information about depth, water temperature, and the bottom structure. It also displays images of cute little fish swimming below the surface. Dark ones are below the boat, outlined ones are swimming nearby. Don't ask me how that works, magic I guess.

Wayne trolls with a rod holder and Scotty Laketroller downrigger. His line is down about twenty feet. I troll the old fashioned way by casting, playing out my line, and holding the rod. Whether using old fashioned fishing skills or new fangled technology, the fish are here.

Powell Lake is open April 1 to October 31. You need a BC freshwater license if you are 16 or older to catch Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. Use barbless hooks to make it easier to catch and release and give your fish a second chance. -- Margy

Castile Peppermint Soap Ant Spray

If you've been reading recent posts, you know Mom's cat Stick Tail has moved in with us. We call his dining area the "food bar." From the picture, you can guess why. When Stick's hungry, he heads on over to check things out. If things aren't to his liking, he'll lie down and pray to the food gods for something better.

At the cabin, Stick's food bar had unwanted visitors - ANTS! I've seen a few on the sink, but a squish and the problem was solved. But with an endless supply of treats at the food bar, they wouldn't stop coming.

I remembered reading a post at a blog I used to follow called Pacy Crochets.  She doesn't blog any more, but does have a Pinterest site.  I bought the Castile peppermint soap. I was skeptical, but didn't want to put ant poison near Stick's food (or ours). Because of the location, I just rubbed a little soap along the edge of the wall and by the stove. I did this for three days, and no more ants. Because it's the odour that deters the ants (and mice as well), I will probably have to do it over again when we return to the cabin. But no problem, the soap goes a long way and it smells nice. Well, at least to kitties and humans. I'll also make some spray to use outdoors for good measure.

1 gallon water
4 tablespoons Castile peppermint soap

Thanks Pacy for the great tip. -- Margy

Giant Beaver on the Prowl

While Wayne and I were out fishing, I took this picture of a shadow that reminded me of a beaver with a long flat tail trailing behind.  I often see cloud images on the side of Goat Island just as the sun sets to the west.

Besides the interesting shadow, I love the reflection of trees turned yellow-green in the late afternoon sun. -- Margy

Indoor Cat Heads Outdoors

Stick Tail loves his new float cabin home.


He started his indoor life twenty years ago (he's at least 21 years old now) when we lived in Pomona, California. Our Los Angeles suburb home was near a hillside with packs of coyotes. Stick's name came from a near-death experience that cost him the tip of his puffy tail.

When we moved north, Stick came to live with Mom and became her constant companion. In a third floor apartment style condo, he remained an indoor kitty. He never seemed to mind.


Now that he has moved to our float cabin, he can go out and walk around the deck. He's discovered a HUGE drinking bowl that will never run dry. Lap it up, Stick. -- Margy

Spring Cruising Under Blue Skies

Our Bayliner 3058 has taken us on some great cruises.



Here are some shots with blue skies and calm seas.



It's always that way, isn't it?


Well, most of the time in the summer. -- Margy