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Friday morning dawned clear and cool at Johnson Creek (3U2) . I was “ok” in my tent and sleeping bag. Not exactly as warm as I would have liked but far from freezing. An amateur camper in the high mountains and I didn’t freeze to death – I’ll call that a success!
The first order of business (well, second…) was a tour of some backcountry airstrips. Many other folks were doing the same thing and about 30 aircraft departed Johnson Creek in a pretty small period of time. My RV-4 buddy and I headed north and flew over Big Creek (U60), Chamberlin (U79), Elk City (S90), Dixie (A05), Dixie Town, and Warren (3U1). My buddy has loads of backcountry experience as well as twenty-five years experience with his RV-4. He was dropping down and making approaches into the strips in preparation for an upcoming trip with a backcountry airplane. I decided that being a chicken pilot had kept me alive til this point – no need to change things. So, I mostly remained high and just circled while he played. I joked that I was providing airborne surveillance, command, and control.
Tour complete, we heading into McCall, ID (MYL) for fuel and breakfast. My previous three landings had been with all camping gear and a loaded down airplane. This landing was without all that stuff and it felt oh so good! McCall has self serve fuel but we stopped in the FBO and talked to the front desk gal who was very nice and helpful with suggestions and directions. We walked the couple of blocks to The Pancake House which had excellent service and food. Oh, also, for some reason there seemed to be an inordinate number of very pretty women in this town. I have no idea why – perhaps the water or high mountain air???
The flight back to Johnson Creek was short and beautiful – probably no need to keep saying that, all the flying here is beautiful!
Once in the pattern I was number four behind a Cub, C-170 , and my buddies RV-4. The first two are very slow and the 170 decided to use the entire canyon so I was left without space to establish separation (did I mention that this “canyon” is really tight!?!?!?!) so I went around. I read repeatedly in preparation for this trip that late go-around decisions are the cause of many accidents so I made it a point not to do that. The second time around worked out better but I was still high and fast. Flying in these washes/canyons is VERY deceiving and I am far from mastering it. Nonetheless, the little RV is a dream and a hot landing worked out fine, again. However; ONCE AGAIN…. I forgot to turn on my video camera.
The afternoon consisted of gawking at airplanes, talking airplanes, and lounging around in the shade. A wonderful way to spend a couple days off. I do very little ‘relaxing’ but am learning to really enjoy it when the opportunity presents itself.
A huge number of aircraft had arrived by early evening for the National Bushwheel Awareness Week fly-in. I heard over one hundred but I didn’t count myself. Both sides of the runway was mostly fully lined with aircraft. It was VERY impressive.
I can’t remember which vendor supplied a very nice chicken dinner – I think CubCrafters or CarbonCub (apologies). In any case, it was very good – Thank You!
I had ran into some friends from Ogden, UT so sat around their campfire. I think we pretty much figured out how to solve the worlds problems, heard a few good tales, and the smoke saved me from the mosquitos! Thanks Charlie!!
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