I’m back in Reno, recovering from my weekend at High Sierra Fly-in. Wow! What a fun, fun time!

The stol-drag races were great, but the best part of the weekend was connecting with, and meeting new people. THAT was a BLAST!!

My Burner buddies: Cherry, Purple Haze, Flash and Sandy all came by for a day (or two). Ephraim came down from Arlington and we got to spend a lot of time together (thank you Ephraim!!!!!).

I also ran into many folks whom I have met along my travels. That was such a sweet surprise! Folks from a Wilbur WA fuel stop camped next door to me. Kim and Brian whom I met at Johnson Creek were super fun to hang out with.

Another super, super fun experience for me was getting to know Cathy Page better, and flying the course with her in her super (duper) cub!

Dancing with Steve Henry was also a joy. He is a sweet man, AND a great dancer!!

The campfire at night is where the real fun happens. Connecting with past HSF friends, and meeting new friends. I’ll be back for sure next year!

As a private pilot, you get your license, and then, the training required is a bi-annual flight review. That means you are only required to get training once every two years, and it tends to be a basic review. It’s not enough, at least not for me.

At Oshkosh, I went to a presentation by the STOL-DRAG folks and got inspired to pursue training for off-airport and backcountry flying.

Fast forward to last Monday. I flew to Cal-Nev-Ari in 243CM and wow! Did I learn A LOT.

We established the real envelope of the airplane, which required going up in the plane and doing many exercises and tests. The syllabus is his book (which he is re-writing, so wait to buy it).

Then I learned precision flying and landing. I consistently landed “on the spot” and in under 500’.

Next, we went to the mountains to practice.

My wish is that the class is twice as long: a week to learn and then another week with CC to practice.

He’s a one-man show; accomplished, awarded, and revered. He has the awards and certificates to prove it. I called him the “airplane whisperer”. He’s fascinatingly educated and experienced in flying. He plays by his own rules but he works closely with EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc.), AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc), and FAA (Federal Aviation Assoc) on everything he does. When you complete his course, you get a log book entry, a certificate and FAA wings credit.

But wait, there is more: you stay at his house (for a fee), you park your plane in his driveway, you fly from his runway, and if you wish, you can swim in his pool, soak in his hot tub, and sweat in his sauna.

He also cooks for you, and, no surprise, he’s a great cook. (Last night we had grilled salmon, sweet potato and a tossed salad – yum). Graduation dinner!

If he finds something on your airplane that he thinks can be improved, he fixes it right then and there!

I spent time learning from the best. I can’t wait to go back for more. Oh! if you want to take some flying lessons for sure check out CC.

My magnetos got wet and died. Not both at the same time, but rather one at a time.

Several people came to my rescue: Flash, Rick, Joe, and Don. Of course, Ephraim made himself available whenever I called.

People can be so nice. It’s really amazing, and something we need to remember when we read the news, view the headlines, and focus on what is wrong.

People are good, they are kind, and they most often, want to help you.

When I took off from Inyokern, after getting fuel, something was DEFINITELY wrong. The engine choked, coughed, and lost power. I landed.

Joe – who was out on a Saturday with a shiny B29 event, had other things to do, but he took time to call Don an A/P and I/A to help me. Don arrived in minutes.

We worked through a bunch of tests, and finally decided the mag was toast. I rented a car and drove to my retreat in Vegas, leaving 243CM with Don.

When I got back, my airplane was fixed. Stephanie (Don’s wife and business partner) and Don shuttled me between the car rental and the airport and even took me to the post office to return the dead mag (I can’t believe I don’t have even one photo of them). They were sweet, helpful, and so so reasonable.

It’s easy to make new friends when we can focus on what we can accomplish together, rather than on what separates us. How easy it is to forget that when we don’t need any help.

At Burningman Alex (my 88NV airport manager predecesor) and I talked about connecting at Chicken Strip in Death Valley shortly after the event.

Unfortunately, chicken strip is closed because of flooding.

When I reached out, Alex was on his way to Kern Valley for a fly-in, so I said “see you there”!! Never mind the magneto problems I was having……

I arrived in the morning and met Anthony. The organizer of the event and his SO Shannon.

The plan was to fly out to backcountry airports. I was nervous, so Alex let me fly with him. Wow!!! We made it to amazingly beautiful places in the high Sierra!!

We landed at three of the airports on the map and then headed back to Kern Valley.

The evening ended with an outdoor aviation movie. What fun with great people. I’m so fortunate to have, and to get to make, new great, friends!

Charlie Mike Flew again yesterday! I have a loaner mag and a new spinner. Whew! That was a LOT of work!

Thank goodness for Flash and Sandy!

Now, I’m basking below the peaks of the Eastern Sierra. Last night, I camped out at the Lone Pine Airport, a place Scott and I discussed flying to many times. I rode my bike up toward Whitney Portal and checked out Alabama hills on the way.

This morning, on to Kern Valley to meet up with some burners. After that, Vegas to see my full BM team. Feels so good to be a pilot again!

Finally made it to Alpine Aviation in Nevada City for my oil change. Flash is the BEST! I pulled in and we got right to work. The first thing was a big soapy bucket of wash water to try to get the final layer (ha ha) of playa dust off the plane.

Then, we went to work on the oil change, (which Flash calls the “50 hour”). We found a cracked nose cone – ugh problem #1, but fixable after some sleuthing on Murphy Builder’s Site.

Once the oil was changed, we did an engine test….and I had no right magneto. Upon another hour (or so) of testing, with the manufacturer on the phone, we determined my Right Magneto is dead. WFT! It’s brand new!

So, what did we do? We went mountain biking, hot tubbing, and hiking!

What a great weekend! We will get back to work first thing Monday morning and in the meantime great time enjoying the Sierra’s with Gordon and Sandy.

The Pendleton Round Up has always been a special memory for me. It was an annual trip when Cindy and I were kids. We joined our cousins, aunts and uncle’s for a great time.

This was literally Jerry’s first Rodeo, and Cindy, Ross (our cousin and local guide) had a blast! We Rodeo’d, danced, shopped, and kicked up our cowboy boots!

What a blast!! Thanks to Ross for hosting us and spending so much time with us! We will definitely be back again.

I’m stuck in the smoke in Truckee. I’ve been trying to fly west or north for three days. No luck. I took off yesterday morning, only to turn back to the airport after only four miles of flying. Yikes. It was scary.

My fingers are crossed that the smoke will have subsided by next week.

When flying VFR, it pays to have a plan A, B, C and D. I have executed A and B without success. First plan was to go to Grass Valley to get my oil changed–no-go. Then, I thought, I would just get out and go north. That was my short flight yesterday. – Another no-go.

Now, I am on to plan C. Rent a car and drive. Since my plan was to go to Pendleton, meet up with Cindy and Jerry and then head back south, this makes sense. Summer Lake Hot Springs are on the way, at about the halfway point. One of my favorite places in central Oregon! Here I come!

I will drive to Pendleton for the Round-up, then drive back to Truckee. Once back to Truckee, I will pick up the plane and resume my plan. I’ll first go to Grass Valley and get the oil changed. Then I’m off to places South.

Flying VFR is rarely the fastest, but it’s sure the most fun!!!

How was Burningman? In a word, dusty! Overall, it was a huge success – especially at our 88NV special airport.

The art was inspiring, the music was great and most of all my team was beyond amazing. We all received compliment after compliment about how well the airport was run, how fun it was, how organized we were, and how much everyone loved our ATC staff. Wow!! We did it. We are all proud.

Now we do the debrief. I can’t wait to see my team again. Of course, there are things we can do better next time. I’m out, and the team will continue on our fun, appreciative, loving trajectory. 💕

It has been hot, with rain and windy. Looks like we might be past that weather now.

Regardless, we are building an airport. It’s SO fun! The crews are great and everyone is taking such great care of us. I’m just going to load a bunch of photos. They say it all.