A summer fly-in at Bob Bement's place?

[Bob Bement]

I am trying to have a little fly-in offer to my friends in the North west area at Vale, Or. S49 Miller Memorial, this summer some time ( date not set as yet ). I will try to update as more info is available. It will probably be in the later part of June or after July 4th a couple of weeks into July. I have some from the Purple board already coming.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Looks like a good excuse for me to get out that way. Wouldn't mind checking out Minam Lodge and/or Land's Inn on the way there or back. And Hell's Canyon. Will see what the wife thinks. Count me as a possible.

Hopefully the fire season doesn't mess up views of the scenery too much.

 

[Jim Logajan]

The dates I have set are June 19 - 22 if you can't make those dates and would still like to fly to Bob's place let me know. We can work something out. The meet and greet is set for these 4 days.

Since summer solstice falls on June 21, I think there should be plenty of daylight!

 

[Jim Logajan]

I have several that have shown a lot of interest some from WA, OR, MT, CA. So I will be just fine it they show up. If they don't we will try it another time.

You don't happen to have any recommendations for places to stay in the area - either around Vale or some of the other airports in the region?

 

[Jim Logajan]

We have a bed and breakfast in our town and a courtesy car at the airport. If you want to camp there is a couple places for that. Don't let that stop you from joining in.

Bob, thanks for the suggestions. We're planning on showing up. Since we were planning on exploring some of the area by car we would likely hop over to Ontario and rent a car and possibly stay a night there. (If the B&B you mention is the Oregon Trail Inn, it seems to have gotten poor reviews on Trip Advisor.)

 

[Jim Logajan]

I asked around and got mixed answers. I guess the people that bought it a few years back are older and are having some health problems. I talked to some that stayed there recently and the had no complaints. So I don't really know what to tell you.

Thanks for asking around. Will keep it open as a possibility.

 

[Jim Logajan]

I hope some of you can make it to my place on these dates. June 19 --- 22 for a fly-in fly-out.

I've got a plane already booked for those days. Not sure which days we'll show our faces at your place and which days we'll be off checking out the area on our own. Also not sure if the wife will be up for a fly-out to Minam or Big Creek.

 

[Jim Logajan]

I need to start getting a list of those pilots and others that plan on coming to Vale for my fly-in/fly-out. I need to start making some arrangements so please let me know as soon as you can. Thanks------ Bob.

Still planning to be there. Tentatively planning to fly in on the 20th and depart the 23. Likely stay someplace in Ontario.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Jim, are you planning on joining us on the flyouts I was planning to the Minam on the 20th and to Big Creek on the 21st ?

Minam is iffy since we probably couldn't show up till early afternoon. What time of the day were you thinking of having the flyout to it?

Big Creek on the 21st is a destination I think we could do.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Jim, we would want to go as early as possible. I think we will shoot for an eight o'clock Mountain time blast off. So we can get there eat look around and get out of there before it warm up to much. We have some that are concerned with useful load, and Density Altitude.

Unfortunately we wont be able to arrive till after noon, so we wont be able to do Minam.

I suspect I'll also have to pass on joining in on any early departure to Big Creek. These days I only get up early if there is income involved.

 

[Jim Logajan]

I will be going in to the Minam as soon as we finish up with my annual inspection the first of June. I will report on grass and runway conditions. I was telling some of the pilots they could land up at Red's which is only a short distance up river. and walk to the Minam. Red's is 2800 and easier to get in and out of.

The last PIREP for Red's (6or9) on http://www.shortfield.com/ was late March so would not be relevant for late June, but for the record the report said: Landed on 3/22/2014 flying a Super Cub
Visited the strip today. Strip has some standing water on south side. North side better. Landing felt firm even though a little wet. Walking around the area is mostly soggy and soft. Was a beautiful early Spring day. Walked Minam strip also and is in good shape. Look forward to coming back in Summer.
Submitted by Bugs66 on 2014-03-23 20:14:13
No PIREPs at all for Minam (7or0) on that website though there are pictures and videos. Of course most of the users of that website land and report on airfields open to the public, with an obvious preference for reporting on back-country fields.

 

[Jim Logajan]

I finished up with the annual inspection on my plane and it is ready to go.

I need to know who on this board is planning on coming to my fly-in so I can tell John STSflyer because he is bringing some tri-tip steak.

Sounds good! My wife and I are planning to be there. We expect to arrive early to mid Friday afternoon. We'll be around all day Saturday and possibly some on Sunday.

Any idea how many people might show up - and when? Other than the flyouts do you have any other events or get-togethers planned or in mind?

 

[Jim Logajan]

We have about 30 building size murals, by professional artist, in Vale I thought a tour would be nice. then we are on the old Oregon trail. the first Oregon town on the trail. We have a couple of meals planned. John Gray is bringing some Tri-tip steak. and I plan on cooking on one night. So we plan on that. Those making the fly outs should be back to Vale by early afternoon to do some socializing.

That tour sounds good. Food is always good.

I had already arranged to pick up a rental car at the Ontario airport and have reservations at the Best Western there. We could help chauffeur anyone needing ground transport who is looking to bum rides.

Since we'll be arriving Friday afternoon when y'all may be having your afternoon siesta I'm not sure whether to land first at Vale and wake everyone and say hi, or land first at Ontario to secure the rental car and refuel the plane, then drive or fly back to Vale. Decisions decisions!

Anyone interested in getting a lift (subject to our own late arrival schedule) can PM me and I'll send our cell phone number.

 

[Jim Logajan]

I'm going to commit a sacrilege and drive to the fly-in. I just got back home today after a 4 hour flight from San Jose. The rental C-172 I flew showed excessive rpm drop on one of the magnetos during runup on both legs of the flight, but I was able to clear it by leaning at high rpm. But it bothers me that it is presumably fouling the plugs when I haven't see that before. (I was also slightly annoyed that they pulled one of the two radios but didn't mention it.) The plane's annual is due in three weeks and it is over its 100 hr inspection so it is probably best to not rent it again till its annual is done.

I'm also more tired from the flying than I thought I would be; I should find it easier to hold altitude in a car over a road better than I can when flying over the mountains in windy conditions. The Sacramento Valley was smooth flying - once I got near Mt. Shasta it got bumpy in spots.

Should see you sometime late tomorrow afternoon!

 

[Jim Logajan]

"touch down" or "impact point"?????

I was trying to be NICE here. We could tell when you arrived.:yikes:

And full flaps...

:whew:

See, this is one advantage to driving....

It was a nice fly-in even without an airplane! Thanks again Bob! You have to hold another one next year so I get a another chance to fly in.