Today Rich and I are experiencing a different type of cruising. Instead of being on the water we are in the air. We are flying to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend the air show. Doug is a partner of a Rockwell Commander 4-seat airplane and he is flying us there.
This morning we arrived at Bremerton airport at 7:15 am. We packed our gear, pulled the plane out of the hanger and prepared. The hanger is a bit of a man cave, complete with a couch, rugs, a small refrigerator, pictures on the wall, tools, etc. Once we were packed and the preflight completed we got in and taxied out. Rich is in the left seat, Doug in the right and I am behind Doug, as flight attendant and backseat pilot (oops).
At 8:14 am we were wheels up climbing to 5000 feet as we went over Puget Sound and then over SeaTac airport. As we continued east towards Ellensburg, we climbed to 9000 ft and up over the clouds. After a while we were able to see the top portion of Mt. Rainier.
So far it is a little like cruising on the water. You need to coordinate with the authorities on the radio and keep track of your progress toward the waypoints. Weather is a factor as well and so far we have been blessed with sun and smooth air. We have also had very little traffic as well. As the plane has an engine we are able to motor directly on our course, just as we would on Windarra on a wind less day.
At the airport in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, we stopped to fuel up at the self serve fuel station, very similar to a self serve gas station. It was a good opportunity for a bathroom break at the 'honey bucket' nearby. After fueling, we pushed the plane over to the side so it was out of the way and sat on the grass and had our sandwiches.
Soon we were back in the air again, heading to Bozeman, Montana. Doug moved to the left seat, Rich to the back seat and I sat in the right seat. After we were back at 9500 ft and on our course, Doug gave me a flight lesson. When you are sailing, you are moving in two dimensions excluding the rise and fall of the boat on the sea. In the air, you have to worry about your position in 3 dimensions. It was fun but a little intense after a while. We diverted around some storm clouds near Yellowstone, a good idea especially after we saw some lightening and virga, or rain that does not hit the surface. We could see farm circles, cars moving on the highways and long trains following the tracks. Here and there would be farms and towns. It is a view that not many of us get to see and we enjoyed every bit of it.
At just after 2:00 pm, we landed at the airport in Bozeman, Montana and taxied to our assigned spot. An attendant came out and helped us unload the luggage and secure the plane. A shuttle from the hotel came to pick us up. After settling in we went for dinner even though it was only 4:00 pm.
It has been a long day but full of new experiences and sites. Tomorrow we continue eastward.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
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