Hiking and flying

With the increase in COVID numbers we continue to stay closer to home.  I have been training and taking local flights but trips are on hold for a bit.  Usually we fly somewhere so we can enjoy the many incredible sights this country offers.

Today I had to look closer to home.  Or in this case closer to the airport.  Just 6 miles Northwest is our local Arboretum and Garden.  Arboretums are collections of trees and they had many of these, I think they say and garden to cover themselves because they have nice flowers, shrubs, moss, lichens and much more.

I was a bit strategic about my plans.  CC and I left mid afternoon.  This provided us plenty of time to walk 4 miles through the winding trails and still have time to fly.  Actually I wanted to fly at a specific time, sunset.

While I am night current, I actually would not be exercising my night privileges as we would be returning before 30 minutes after sunset.  With this in mind we enjoyed strolling the Arboretum and Gardens.  The trails were mostly empty and we had a great time enjoying nature.

Our target was to start at 4:45 with sunset at 5:26.  We arrived a bit early and took our time readying the plane.  One extra check today was the lights.  Usually the first thing I do is open the hangar but today I kept the door closed and while I tested each switch, CC confirmed the various lights were working.  I also prepped flashlights within easy reach just in case we got caught out later than we intended.

With everything prepared, we spun the prop at 4:43.  We were soon airborne and headed South down the coast.  It was a bit hazier than I expected but it was a smooth and cool evening.  While sunset was 5:26 at the surface, it was around 5:33 at altitude.  South of Saint Augustine we headed back to the river and then North.  

We watched the sun's disk slowly touch then slip below the horizon.  One nice feature of my current camera is the electronic viewfinder.  With a DSLR you have to be careful to not look at the sun.  With the EVF, you are just looking at a picture of the sun so the danger is only to the camera.

Once the last sliver of the sun disappeared we headed home.   I took a detour to avoid overflying the tall antennas and to get a few more minutes of flight.  Just after sunset you are bathed in a gentle light.  The cockpit lights have a nice glow and the city lights are just beginning to flicker on. The combination creates a serene landscape.

I called in about 7 Southeast and was told to expect 14 or 5.  14 is closer to the hangar but a straight in to 32 would be even better so I requested it.  The winds were calm but a training flight was just maneuvering to land on 14 so it was not clear how the sequence would work.  I started slowing down to build space and the controller had me continue.  The departing plane requested a left turn out and with good spacing the controller cleared me to land.

We were watching the plane climb out towards us.  I intentionally had not lined up directly as I wanted to give him room.  As we got closer, he still had not turned.  The controller told him to start his requested turn to which he replied he was going straight out.  This did not go over well with the controller and he more forcefully told the plane to follow the instructions.

We had the traffic in sight so I advised the controller of this and that we could avoid.  This reminded me of Tuesday.  I was leaving Saint Augustine and the plane ahead was told to make left traffic.  I was told to keep to his right.  As I was overtaking him, he turned right.  As I had the traffic in sight, I coordinated with the controller to pass on the left but he was none too pleased with the plane that did not follow instructions.

Tonight, I could tell the controller was less than happy with the other plane but we had good separation and plenty of room to make a dogleg final.  We were soon past the traffic and rolling down the runway in the fading light.  I miss traveling but sometimes a simple flight and enjoying nature is just as good.

Walk on the beach

This is not Newark at rush hour.  This is Saint Simons on a Monday.  Let me back up.  Sunday the weather was sort of snotty.  That's pilot speak for bad.  I flew Saturday at sunset but the rain was building and by Sunday morning it was a mess.  

Luckily I had Monday off so we decided to take a quick trip to Saint Simons Island for a walk.  Saint Simons is home to Southern Soul BBQ which we skipped today in pursuit of a smaller waistline, though the BBQ smell wafted down the flight line and was hard to ignore.  It was a great day to fly.  Strong Northerly winds but smooth at 3000 feet.

We made our approach from the South and used Runway 34 for a change.  It seems the wind favors 4 most of the time but today the winds were 340 at 12 gusting 18.  On arrival the FBO sent a golf cart to show us where to park and as always the FBO was friendly and professional.  The line man tied us down and offered a ride to the building but we declined as our purpose was to walk.

The approach to 34 is interesting.  You get a great view of a ship on its side being cut up by some massive tools.  When you turn final to the relatively short (3,313') strip, you see the tall trees at the airport fence and what look like massive cell phone towers right on final.  We later walked by them and they look less impressive from the ground.  

Yes the map tells me how tall they are and we had plenty of clearance but I swear they look twice as tall when you need to pass right over them to land.  So we left the plane and headed for the beach.  The first thing you see as you walk along is that Saint Simons is not all luxury housing, though they have lots of that.

The second thing you notice is great sidewalks.  Really wide and well marked cross walks.  State law gave us the right of way too.  Take that motorized vehicles.  The walk to the beach is about 1.3 miles and takes you across the Causeway where you can look out on Bloody Marsh.

It was less bloody today but in 1742, outnumbered British troops defeated Spanish soldiers to thwart an attack on Fort Frederica.  Passing the Marsh we made it to the beach where we enjoyed the sun sand and birds as well as looking at the cutting operation from ground level.

Saint Simons has a nice beach but with the currents, maybe not the best for swimming.  Less shells and hard packed in many places which makes strolling nice.  I liked they reminder to not pollute, a Dolphin made of trash.

After our beach stroll we retraced out steps and were soon back at the plane.  When we arrived the main ramp was pretty empty but as you saw above we had a line of jets next to us upon our return.  Luckily there was no line to leave.  After a preflight inspection, we loaded up and were soon on our way.  Our 25 knot headwind became a 22 knot tailwind.  Not exactly even but at least we had a good push home.  Overall a great day to get out and explore.

Over the clouds and through the Bravo

We were off to see Grandfather.  Not my grandfather, my Dad, the kids Grandfather.  With COVID precautions, we have not been visiting regularly.  We had been looking for a good weekend but the weather had been the pits between the heat and the hurricanes.

While we did have the remnants of a storm Thursday, early in the week it looked like the weekend would be nice.  We planned the trip and then I phoned a friend.  We needed a place to meet that was away from people.  The person I phoned graciously offered the use of his hangar.  at North Perry for our visit.

As we got closer, the weather looked less good but acceptable but we crossed our fingers and waited.  This morning there was rain around the Cape and down in Miami but it was all light so we launched just before 9:00 am.  The initial ride was good though we did get some rain in the clouds around the Cape.  ATC let us dodge the bad looking clouds and we were soon on the standard Miami arrival.

Coming from the North going to North Perry, Hollywood Florida, you will be routed over Pahokee VOR and then South to eventually join the straight in RNAV approach to 10R.  Unlike previous visits we did not get sequenced behind super slow planes and had a quick ride down final.

The weather was not bad but showers were popping up all around and we had a bit of rain on final.  We soon found the hangar, shut down and pushed the plane out of the way.  He has a nice setup with a couch and plenty of room to social distance.  We opened the hangar door, let the breeze in and commenced visiting.

My friend had also clued me in on getting gas and while we talked the truck had topped off the bird.  We chatted for a bit over an hour and then it was time to hit the road as they were getting hungry and the sky was getting darker.

The sky to the North looked ominous but South looked nice.  We would be going West initially and the radar just showed light rain.  Checking in with ground we got the Sheridan departure.  This is a special procedure that allows you to depart VFR but pick up your IFR in the air.  When ATC climbs you above 1500, you are IFR.  

Overall it is a very efficient way to depart some busy airspace.  on take off we rolled behind a Piper who made a very wide turn downwind.  I made a standard turn and ended up inside him, I wanted to keep him in sight.  Coordinating with the tower we agreed on how I would pass.  The tower pointed us out to him and he seemed a bit confused.  Finally the tower told him we were past and going 40+ knots faster.  Pretty soon he was a speck in the distance.

Our initial course took us through some light rain and I was concerned that we would be taken further West where the rain was heavier but ATC was looking out for us.  They turned us North and after keeping us at 2000 to get under the FLL inbound traffic we were allowed to climb to 7000 and head direct to Treasure VOR.  This was basically straight home so we were happy.

One other interesting thing happened on the way back.  The plane ahead of us was going a bit slower and ATC made him move so we could chug along.  They chose to climb so we passed right under them 2000 feet below.  It was a nice view of a 36 Bonanza.

It was cloudy up the coast and we mostly skimmed the tops until right before home when we broke out and were number 4 for the runway.  Training is up and the airport is getting quite busy. 

North Carolina Bound

 

We have seen many of the good falls near Greenville so today we decided to head to Highlands North Carolina. We actually cut through Northern Georgia so again we landed in one state but visited 3.  Spoiler alert, we saw 6 waterfalls today. I had planned up to 8 but we got hungry and decided food was more important than another two falls. 

Our first stop was Bridal falls. Yesterday was all about walking and we logged about 8 miles whereas today was only 5.  One big difference, the falls were mostly more convenient. Bridal falls is literally 50 feet from the highway. It was one of two falls that we walked behind. It is not a super impressive fall but given the great views and no effort to visit, it is a high value fall.

Our next stop was Dry falls but the lot was full so we kept going another 3 miles and pulled off at Bust Your But Falls. This again was roadside. The falls are a bit up the road but you can see the falls from your car. We did walk out and take a closer look and I flew the drone. It started getting crowded so we decided to retreat being in COVID mode.

Returning to dry falls, we scored a prime parking spot. This fall has much more infrastructure and there is a $3 fee and well worth it. It is the honor system so we dropped our money in the box after completing the envelope.   They use the same form in all parks for all activities so you end up writing way more than you really need.  

From the lot you head down some stairs and ramps and in just 100 yards later you are rewarded with some nice falls. The path continues to the base of the falls and then you can walk behind the falls. 

The back of water is quite cool. Usually you only get to see the front so this is rather special. You can continue on to the other river bank and get the other side view. The sun was favoring the first side so we headed back across and snapped some more pictures before heading off.

Glenn falls was the final Highland falls. Glenn has 3 falls but only 2 are significant. The third is only 15 feet.  Our rental car was only a bit dirty but Glenn falls are 1 mile down a dirt road. We headed down behind a Jeep and eventually found a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road. The Jeep took the first available space but I headed on. About .25 miles later we found the parking dirt. There happened to be one space left which we scored. Always better to drive all the way in and then take the first available space heading out.

Glenn is pretty vertical. It’s 400 feet down to the first falls as well as .5 miles. All the way down we discussed that eventually we would have to come up. We got to the first falls and took pictures and then headed further down.

The trail has switchbacks and they have steep stairs in many places. The second falls were also quite nice but the viewing area was muddy and wet. After some pictures we started the long climb up. The area is about 3500 feet elevation so we can blame the shortness of breath on the elevation. We were moving a bit aggressively and passed many several groups including some younger hikers.

We eventually made it back and headed off to our last falls. Kings Creek Falls are in South Carolina. If the car had any spot that wasn’t dust covered from Glenn, It did now after the 2 miles of dirt roads on the each way to the falls.

Arriving at the parking area we found a trail map. I snap a picture of the maps just in case we need to use it later. Studying the map we were still a bit confused. The map had the you are here arrow and the falls but it had no orientation. I said we went to Kings Creek but the lot also was the access to Spoonager falls.

We puzzled a bit as we could see both destinations but just were not sure which trail was which. I saw two hiking looking dudes that had kayaks on their car so I did the one thing a guy is never supposed to do. I asked directions.  Thye recommended a particular trail to Kings Creek Falls. They also said we would find a sign on the trail. We took their advice and sure enough 50 feet down the trail we found a sign and knew we were on the correct trail.

Off we went and the further we went the worse the trail became. Based on our hikes, CC thinks that South Carolina does not do as much trail maintenance. Also the trails tend to be narrower and the surface less even. This may be the type of forest or or may be different departments and different philosophies but this trail did get pretty squishy.

As I said the trail got wetter, more slippery, and muddy, we knew we were close as we could hear the falls. The final stretch had us climbing over a massive fallen tree and the scrambling down wet rocks. In the end it was worth is. They were pretty amazing falls.

The way back went well and we decided to pack it in and eat. We headed off to Pickens for a second round of Bojangles. It was once again mighty tasty.  For those counting, we saw 13 waterfalls.  Not too bad for a quick get away.

We headed back Monday morning.  The weather was supposed to be great.  You know it is a low traffic area when your departure clearance is a direct climb to 7000.  We were soon direct Jesup Georgia for a planned fuel stop.  As I said the forecast was good VFR all the way.   On the approach to Jesup I noticed Jacksonville was starting to get some clouds.

Twenty minutes later we were in the air and I picked up my IFR home.  Weather was still marginal VFR and we had just 30 minutes to go.  The new weather came out and I started planning for an IFR arrival.  The wind was 20 knots down runway 5 so it would be a circling approach.  I requested direct to the 14 initial approach fix and was told I could have it but 32 was in use so if someone came the other way we would have to fall in line.

Sure enough just as I was to join the approach a slow poke popped up inbound on 32.  Approach sent us downwind so we got to fly past the airport and back around for a GPS 32 approach.  I had briefed both and was ready so it was not much work.  Also it is my home airport so I have practiced both many times.   We broke out at 1500 and had an easy circle to 5 for a smooth arrival.