Sunday Morning, Christian, Dan and I headed North. First stop was Root Ranch for Breakfast. This place is listed as private in the Idaho Backcountry Guide but they were happy to see us and said all you need to do is call on the radio, (122.9 - they monitor it) or call on the phone and give them a heads up you are coming. When we called traffic going in on the radio the manager answered with a welcome call - "coffee is on and breakfast on the grill". This shot is from the porch looking up the strip.
After breakfast at Root Ranch Dan went NE, and Christian and I headed North towards Spokane. We stopped into a friends strip, Clear Creek, on the way. This is a private strip by invitation only so please don't just drop in. The owner has had to help trailer several airplanes out after they did not make it. Short, in a canyon, with power lines. It is a fun place. Here are Christians Cub and mine at Clear Creek.
The creek runs right along the strip. Shortly after we landed, this guy walked very nonchalantly across the creek.
Talk about a little slice of paradise. The strip, a creek and a log home, and a zip line. Living the dream.
After Clear Creek Christian led us to the Elk River strip where we walked into town, right next to the strip, and got some soft serve Huckleberry ice cream. That was great. Will do that again. Highly recommend.
After a night in Spokane (I had some work to do) I flew on up to Cavanaugh Bay to do a little camping. This is turning final to the strip. Fly over the lodge and the strip is cut in the trees. This is a REALLY neat place. Will do again (and again and again, I hope)
This is looking down the strip towards the lake and lodge. The camping area is on the left side out of view.
This is the lodge at the end of the strip at Cav Bay. They have a nice restaurant from 1200 - 2100 and also a gift shop where you can get ice, soft drinks, snacks, etc. It is a great option and only about 100 yards from the camping area. Close, but far enough away that you do not feel like you are in their parking lot.
Firewood is available, all you might want to do is split it down a little. Ax provided.
Nice camping area at Cav Bay. The blinding white light through the trees is my airplane, (sunlight was hitting it at just the right angle), LOL.
Looking straight off the end of the strip into Priest Lake, lodge out of view, on the left.
Turned 180 degrees and took this shot. Straight up the strip. This is just a magical place. Great restrooms, with hot showers, (even towels provided), a refrigerator, microwave, coffee, etc. This place is a MUST do camping spot. It is North of Sandpoint Idaho by about 15 or 20 miles. I had a couple of unexpected guests as well. Shopperly, from the site here, and his lovely daughter Halle, stayed a night enroute to their home in Canada. We had a great visit. Then the next night Eddie and Todd came in in their Huskys, and again I made a couple of new friends. What a great group of folks this Backcountry group of flyers is.
Finally, after a couple of days flying, my Cub is back in the hangar ready for the next adventure. It was inspected on the 26th and home on the 25th. So in less than one month we put 82 hours on it. Can't wait to get that fuel bill. Ouch!!
Hope this helps motivate.....
Bill (yes indeed - Very Blessed)