339A
Well Known Member
This trip started out with the idea of trying to make the So-Cal/Arizona Groups’ New Year’s Day Fly-in to Lake Havasu, AZ at KHII. We’ve been trying to make this event for a couple of years, but somehow weather or other commitments have always gotten in the way. Part of the problem with doing a trip across the mighty Rockies in the winter is weather, you just never know what you’re going to get.
I had some left over vacation time to use and, with both Christmas & New Year’s Eve being on a weekend, a couple extra holidays to take off as well. So the plan was hatched and e-mails were sent scouring the country far and wide for others who might want to join up in Las Vegas for a couple days.
Scott and Tanya Card liked the idea, and so did Gary and Carolyn Zilik. The Cards would meet us in Boulder City at KBVU, and Gary and Carolyn would fly from Front Range with us. While there were other friends we would’ve liked to have join in the fun, schedules just didn’t permit. We were happy to learn last-minute that Rosie and Tuppergal Rosales would be able to join us for an evening of fun in Vegas after all! They would meet up with the Cards in Texas and fly to Nevada together.
With the plan set in motion, we began making the necessary arrangements. I managed to get a hotel in Henderson for the weekend using some Marriot points. While not on the strip, the room was free, and you just can’t beat free. We knew we wanted to see a show while there, but with tickets for Vegas entertainment being pricey and non-refundable, we would have to wait until we were certain we’d be able to make it.
A few days before departure, I started watching the extended forecasts, and it looked like a BIG high pressure system might be moving in to make for some nice flying weather. As it turned out, that’s exactly what happened. Some pretty stiff winds and turbulence were forecast for Colorado, but once we got south of the Colorado border, the Airmets went away and New Mexico and Nevada looked GOOD.
With the weather on our side, and after several e-mails debating which night/show, everyone agreed on Cirque du Soleil “Love” for Friday night. Thanks to some due diligence on Tanya’s part, she managed to book us eight good seats together. She also made dinner reservations at Fin, a Chinese restaurant located in the Mirage hotel. On her suggestion, we planned to do some mild hikes in the Red Rocks Canyon on the west side of town on Saturday. Then, on Sunday morning, we would head down the Colorado River to Lake Havasu for the New Year’s Day fly-in spectacular at KHII.
Gary topping off his tanks, getting the "cheapest" gas we would see the whole trip.
Our Trek begins as we head down the Front Range. There were Airmets for moderate to severe turbulence. The ride down the range was a little BuMpY, but not too bad. We were expecting MUCH worse. The only time in the trip headed there that we would have a tailwind.
When we turned the corner to go over La Veta Pass, the head winds increased significantly!! To the tune of 49 KTS at one point while in the pass. We are almost over the pass here. Blanca peak is to the right and surprisingly it's pretty smooth.
Continuing our travels, we are now over Cumbres Pass. Notice the snowmobile tracks running all over the place. I've seen people camping out in the pass, in tents, with their machines.....
Lined up for final on 07 at Farmington, NM. Fuel was $6.56/gal! Really hated to buy it there, but the stop was convenient, and it was time for a potty break. Gary managed to get us 20 cent a gallon discount. We decided to get some lunch at the on- field restaurant called Zebra's Sports Grill. Can't say that this is a great stop as the FBO is not real helpful. More about that on the return trip.
A new Milestone is reached with 339A--the 1000-hour point. Yeah Baby!!!
After departing KFMN, we head towards the Grand Canyon. Easier at this point to stay south of the canyon and low as the headwinds, while smooth, are killing us. In this pic you can see the North Rim off to the right as we come up on the east side.
We managed to fly over the west end of the canyon airspace by staying above the 8000' limit of the Pearce Ferry Sector. Pretty shot of the river and canyon.
Just before reaching our final stop for the day. Lake Mead and the new bypass bridge off the right wingtip. We suffered 22-28 KT headwinds trying to get to KBVU. Total flying time was 5:20. The longest time we've ever taken to get to Boulder City.
To be continued...
I had some left over vacation time to use and, with both Christmas & New Year’s Eve being on a weekend, a couple extra holidays to take off as well. So the plan was hatched and e-mails were sent scouring the country far and wide for others who might want to join up in Las Vegas for a couple days.
Scott and Tanya Card liked the idea, and so did Gary and Carolyn Zilik. The Cards would meet us in Boulder City at KBVU, and Gary and Carolyn would fly from Front Range with us. While there were other friends we would’ve liked to have join in the fun, schedules just didn’t permit. We were happy to learn last-minute that Rosie and Tuppergal Rosales would be able to join us for an evening of fun in Vegas after all! They would meet up with the Cards in Texas and fly to Nevada together.
With the plan set in motion, we began making the necessary arrangements. I managed to get a hotel in Henderson for the weekend using some Marriot points. While not on the strip, the room was free, and you just can’t beat free. We knew we wanted to see a show while there, but with tickets for Vegas entertainment being pricey and non-refundable, we would have to wait until we were certain we’d be able to make it.
A few days before departure, I started watching the extended forecasts, and it looked like a BIG high pressure system might be moving in to make for some nice flying weather. As it turned out, that’s exactly what happened. Some pretty stiff winds and turbulence were forecast for Colorado, but once we got south of the Colorado border, the Airmets went away and New Mexico and Nevada looked GOOD.
With the weather on our side, and after several e-mails debating which night/show, everyone agreed on Cirque du Soleil “Love” for Friday night. Thanks to some due diligence on Tanya’s part, she managed to book us eight good seats together. She also made dinner reservations at Fin, a Chinese restaurant located in the Mirage hotel. On her suggestion, we planned to do some mild hikes in the Red Rocks Canyon on the west side of town on Saturday. Then, on Sunday morning, we would head down the Colorado River to Lake Havasu for the New Year’s Day fly-in spectacular at KHII.
Gary topping off his tanks, getting the "cheapest" gas we would see the whole trip.
Our Trek begins as we head down the Front Range. There were Airmets for moderate to severe turbulence. The ride down the range was a little BuMpY, but not too bad. We were expecting MUCH worse. The only time in the trip headed there that we would have a tailwind.
When we turned the corner to go over La Veta Pass, the head winds increased significantly!! To the tune of 49 KTS at one point while in the pass. We are almost over the pass here. Blanca peak is to the right and surprisingly it's pretty smooth.
Continuing our travels, we are now over Cumbres Pass. Notice the snowmobile tracks running all over the place. I've seen people camping out in the pass, in tents, with their machines.....
Lined up for final on 07 at Farmington, NM. Fuel was $6.56/gal! Really hated to buy it there, but the stop was convenient, and it was time for a potty break. Gary managed to get us 20 cent a gallon discount. We decided to get some lunch at the on- field restaurant called Zebra's Sports Grill. Can't say that this is a great stop as the FBO is not real helpful. More about that on the return trip.
A new Milestone is reached with 339A--the 1000-hour point. Yeah Baby!!!
After departing KFMN, we head towards the Grand Canyon. Easier at this point to stay south of the canyon and low as the headwinds, while smooth, are killing us. In this pic you can see the North Rim off to the right as we come up on the east side.
We managed to fly over the west end of the canyon airspace by staying above the 8000' limit of the Pearce Ferry Sector. Pretty shot of the river and canyon.
Just before reaching our final stop for the day. Lake Mead and the new bypass bridge off the right wingtip. We suffered 22-28 KT headwinds trying to get to KBVU. Total flying time was 5:20. The longest time we've ever taken to get to Boulder City.
To be continued...
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