JdFinley.com

Fulltime RV Living Adventures

MTB Ride: Hilso Trails in Gallup, NM – Part 1

Over the last few months, I have read some very positive things about the mountain bike trails around Gallup, NM.  I found a trail guide for sale online (here -I ordered the first edition but the second edition is not available – kool!), ordered it, and upon review; decided I needed to go try these trails… [Read More]

Change of pace

A new era has begun!!  I am now an RV’er! I’ve spent several years just sitting around the house. Yes, a few business trips and a few camping trips (mostly overnight trips). I decided that I needed something more. Don’t get me wrong, I love my home and neighborhood. However; I wanted the ability to see… [Read More]

Negrito Airstrip Work Weekend

The weekend of May 31 – June 2 2013 was the annual work weekend at the Negrito backcountry airstrip.  The thought of physical labor is pretty close to the bottom of my ‘favorite things’ list. However; this was for a most excellent cause and involved flying and camping.  So, I was in. The video below… [Read More]

A really long cross-country flight

A couple weeks ago, I went on a really long cross-country flight… It all started with the need to be at the home office (Minneapolis) of the company for which I work.  This just happened to be around the time that the Quickie Spring Fling Fly-In was scheduled in Decorah, IA.  Finally, I was past… [Read More]

Cactus Fly-In 2013 – Part 4

Today, we finish up the 2013 Cactus Fly-In trip report. The previous installments of my 2013 Cactus Fly-In report are here, here, and here. Sunday morning in Casa Grande, AZ dawned as beautiful as all the previous. However; today a tailwind for the trip home was in the forecast.  I love it when that happens!… [Read More]

Cactus Fly-In 2013 – Part 3

The first couple installments of my Cactus Fly-in report are here and here. I took a bunch of photos of aircraft.  Of course, they never turn out quiet like I wish they would.  Someday, I will become a photographer with equipment that does what I want it to do!! The quality of workmanship is amazing… [Read More]

Cactus Fly-In 2013 – Part 1

Last weekend was the annual Cactus Fly-In at Casa Grande Arizona. This is an Arizona Antique Aircraft Association event and always draws out some awesome antiques. This year was no different. I had some work to do in Phoenix the week before the Cactus Fly-In so I flew the RV-3 over early and based it… [Read More]

Camping at Roosevelt Lake

A month had passed since my last camping expedition so it was once again time to experience “the wild.”  It’s still a bit cold here in New Mexico (not really but I’m a weenie) so heading west to Arizona is the safe bet.  I camped at the backcountry airstrip known as “Grapevine” last month, as… [Read More]

Clouds on the Manzano Mountains

I shot the following photos flying to breakfast a few days ago.  I thought the cloud formations were very pretty (and bumpy). These are the Manzano Mountains in west central New Mexico that run along the east side of the Rio Grande river.  It is fairly typical to have cloud formations like these that seem to… [Read More]

Survival Vest for Aviators

One of my flying mates is a formal Navy fighter pilot and experienced back country guy. In preparation for some of our backcountry aviation adventures this past year, he advised that I prepare for the worst.  This included a survival vest. I have learned that in many accidents, all that an aviator is able to… [Read More]