Fall Color and Rain

Fall color has hit about its high point around the Willamette Valley, so we decided to make a morning flight down to Independence (7S5) for breakfast, spend a little time around the valley, stop at Mulino (4S9), and return to Twin Oaks.

As we were climbing out from Twin Oaks it began to rain a little, but the overcast cloud layer was still over 7,000 feet above our planned cruising altitude of 2,500. A quick check of the ATIS at Salem Airport (a continuous broadcast of weather and other non-control info) was overcast at 9,000 with wind from the east at 3kts, so the route looked good.

The rain continued off and on as we flew down the valley, with a few clouds and patchy fog below, but enough light that the colors really stood out.  The air was very smooth as well.

We landed at Independence, and taxied over to the Starduster Cafe for breakfast, where Audrey discovered that they serve airplane shaped pancakes. What else would the pancakes be shaped like at an airport cafe...

We departed about an hour later, good and full, and turned northeast to head over to Mulino (4S9).

About 15 miles out from Mulino I noticed that the clouds coming over the Coast Range looked darker than they had as we were climbing out from Independence, and decided to turn towards Twin Oaks.

As we entered the pattern at Twin Oaks, the rain began again, and increased as we were making our way around the pattern. Nothing too heavy, and didn't last long, but we were nearing the end of the time I had the airplane scheduled for anyway, and we had had a nice flight. Well, Heatherle and I did.... Audrey had fallen asleep about halfway through the return trip.

I'm not sure that Audrey has made an entire trip without falling asleep.

What a nice fall morning.