Audrey and I had big plans for a breakfast flight together. Being just the two of us, she would also be able to sit up front, giving her the opportunity for a better view, follow along on the control yoke, participating more in the flight. Unfortunately, the morning's weather briefing reported fog throughout the Willamette valley and down the coast, as well as mountain obscuration. It was still very early (6:00am) and Twin Oaks north almost to Kelso (KLS) was in the clear, so we left for the airport with hopes that the fog would lift as the sun came up, but a short flight north as a likely plan. Turned out that the fog was going to stick around for a while, so we departed north towards Scappoose (SPB) for a simple out and back.
I had been aware from the briefing that morning that Hillsboro (HIO) was closed for runway maintenance. Being the second busiest airport in Oregon, we talked briefly with the seemingly lonely controller at Hillsboro, not hearing another aircraft as we transitioned his airspace in both directions.
Flying approx 1,000 AGL, we were treated to fall colors occasionally muted by thin wisps' of fog, pumpkin patches filled with bright orange dots, and overhead views of several corn mazes.No noticeable signs of movement below on an early Sunday morning, and no one else on the radio, gave the impression of just father, daughter, and airplane, with not another other care.
It was cold, as evidenced by Audrey wrapped in her pink blanket...
The last Saturday of October marks the annual Hillsboro Airport open house, and event that Audrey looks forward to weeks in advance.
The open house is mostly an opportunity for the residents of Hillsboro and the surrounding areas to visit the airport, see what type of traffic uses the facility, and money and jobs brought to the community through the services provided through the airport.
There are usually flying clubs, flight schools, pilot associations, customs and border protection, planning commissions, RC flying clubs, and hobby stores in attendance. Also activities for children such as face painting, pumpkin painting, coloring, and aviation related treats, are a big hit. Audrey came home with a small bag of Halloween candy, pencils, stickers, and several balsa gliders.
A bus tour of the airport grounds is available that stops at a small air museum and a hanger with large corporate type jets.Morning fog effectively prevented fly-ins to the open house, but it was well attended by drive-ins, and certainly worth the 45 minute drive from home for us.
... and, who could pass up an event with airplane shaped cookies? 
