May Day

A beautiful beginning to May to shake off the gray of April.

We spent the early part of the day hiking a few local parks, giving Heatherle a chance to do some letterboxing, Audrey (and I) some playground time, as well as time for some time as a family undistracted from other responsibilities.

For late in the day, 40H was open, so we planned a flight over to Nehalem Bay (3S7) for some fresh marine air, and to check out the camping facilities on the field.

The weather was forecast for some high stratus cloud cover, well above our intended flight level, good visibility, temp of 55F, and winds 8 to 10kts from the north. Should be perfect.

Off the ground at 4:10 from Twin Oaks, following the pattern around to west departure, we climbed out in smooth air to our cruise altitude of 4,500ft to cross the Coast Range.

As we crossed the Coast Range we watched as the mountains and valleys passed below, some higher peaks still covered with a layer of snow from the winter months.

As we crossed the last peaks and reached the Nehalem River valley, we began our descent, mindful of the rate and its impact on Audrey’s ears.

I overflew the field at 2,000 to check the windsock for confirmation of the forecast winds, and the ATIS report (Automated Terminal Information System) from Tillamook airport about 15nm south, reporting winds at 5kts from 340.

The windsock was limp, but I could see some signs of wind on the bay, and circling out over the ocean to enter the pattern, the waves were coming from the north, so all looked good for runway 33.

As we flew downwind we looked out at Nehalem Bay campground, were we’ve camped many times.

On base, we had to overshoot final a tad to avoid a small flock of seagulls.

Final seemed fast over the fence, but airspeed was right on at 60kts, and touched down with a good bounce. A little power prevented a second bounce and we rolled out to taxi to the tie-downs.

We got out of the plane and right away realized that we had landed with a good tailwind, explaining the seemingly high ground speed on short final, so what’s up with the windsock, still hanging limp? I walked over to the pole, and found that the sock was caught on the pole, preventing it from swinging around or inflating. After jumping up and giving it a tug, it swung around and inflated, indicating a tailwind landing 33.

Fortunately Nehalem Bay is decent length at 2,350ft, but a lesson learned to confirm the windsock and nearby ATIS with other clues to wind direction; a closer look at the wind patterns on the water, or crab angle in the pattern.

We tied down the plane, and walked over to check out the information booth and sign the visitor log book.

Nehalem Bay airport has several nice tent sites at the field, with a short walk over to the Nehalem Bay State campground for firewood, showers, etc. Plans are now for an overnight trip with Matti this summer, and Audrey late summer. That will be fun.

We spent time on the bay picking at rocks and driftwood, and walking the trails, before all too soon the descending sun reminded us that it was time to head back to the plane for a return trip to the beginning of a new week.

As we made a left turnout and began our climb over the small Nehalem Valley, we reflected on what was a normal weekend, seemed like a small vacation. We are fortunate to have access to and the means to explore so many fantastic places in a weekend’s time.