We departed in glass smooth air for the short trip over to
Mulino (4S9), where we would meet up with any others from Mulino OPA that would
also be flying out to Bend for breakfast.
After watching a Ryan PT-22 land and taxi into the grass, we
settled into the FBO building and waited to see who else would show. With such a great forecast for the day, we
hoped to be joined by a good turnout. By
9:00 we were a group of three planes departing Mulino, with a fourth meeting up
with us along the way.
The plan was to travel south approx 30 miles before turning southeast climbing to 9,500 feet and following the Santiam Hwy over the Cascades, then on to Bend (BDN).
In route we checked in with each other on the air-to-air
frequency, listened to others discuss troubles with the charging system on
their aircraft, and watched the amazing scenery pass below as it changed from
valley farmland, to tree covered foothills, to snow covered peaks.
As we reached the Santiam pass, our companions in the planes
ahead began to report some turbulence descending over the high desert past the
mountains. Tightening our belts, and
looking around the plane for any loose items, we began our descent down to
5,500, with Mt Jefferson’s 10,497ft peak off our left wing and Three Fingered
Jack off the right.
It didn’t take long to enter the turbulence ourselves. Not the worst we’ve experienced, but would remain
consistent through our day in the high desert.
We overflew the Bend airport to descend and enter the
pattern for 16, and wrap up the first leg of our day, ready for some breakfast.
The airport café is located above the FBO, with windows
overlooking the ramp and runway beyond.
A total of 8 of us talked flying, watched planes come and go, and
enjoyed our breakfast.
About noon, we all headed back to the ramp, wished each
other a great flight, and went our separate ways.
We followed our OPA companions down the taxiway for run-up
and departure on 34, listening to a towplane and glider communicate through the
process of hooking up on the runway. My
glider knowledge is pretty limited, but it seemed like a pretty good day to
find some thermals.
Our next destination was Sunriver, so we climbed out and
turned south, crossing the city of Bend, following Hwy 97 past Lava Butte and
for a quick look at Paulina and East lakes, turning back north for Sunriver.
Our turn back north set us up nicely for a straight in
approach for 36 at Sunriver. I prefer to
fly the standard pattern, giving time to be on speed and altitude for the final
approach path and better awareness of other traffic, but we’d been listening to
a quiet Sunriver CTAF for 20 minutes, I was nicely aligned with the runway,
and, I had a few glasses of iced tea with breakfast.
We were greeted over the Unicom as we taxied in to park, as
well as on the ramp by a friendly women on a bike from the FBO, asking if we needed
any services. Yes, restroom.
We gathered a change of clothes and the bike helmets we’d
packed along from home, and headed for the FBO.
The FBO a selection of free loaner bikes, and the Sunriver
Resort ( www.sunriver-resort.com
) has 35 miles of paved bike trails that wind through stands of Ponderosa and
Lodgepole pine, along the Deschutes river, past horse stables, golf courses,
swimming pools, lodges, and vacation homes.
We were off to tour the resort, and enjoy the beautiful high desert
surroundings. We really enjoy the
Sunriver Resort, and will need to book a stay for out next visit.
As the afternoon became late, we turned our attention to topping
off the plan with fuel, and the final legs of our trip, Madras and back home.
Climbing out, our expectations of increased turbulence were
confirmed. Fortunately the wind was
light, so the turbulence was mostly due to convection, and not winds rolling
off the mountains, or both. But, after
about 20 minutes of bouncing along after a long day, we decided to climb to
smoother air, and head for home. We’ll
stop by Madras, and mark that off out Western Flight Tour, another day.
VFR cruising altitudes above 3,000 AGL are odd thousands
plus 500 on a magnetic heading between 0 and 179 degrees, and even thousands
plus 500 between 180 and 359 degrees.
The turbulence remained with us though 9,000, so we leveled out at
10,500 in smooth air that remained with us until descent on the west side of
the Cascades.
Transitioning from snow and tree covered mountains, back
into the relatively flat farmland of the Willamette valley, we turned northwest
direct to Twin Oaks.
After refueling the plane and returning it to the hanger, checking
in with Betty, and heading down the road, there was one more stop to make –
Sushi!
Having the plane for the entire day to go where we wish sure
was fun.
Approx 325 miles of ground covered (plus 8 by bike), 3.6hrs
flying time, and 23 gallons of 100LL fuel.
