Leg 17 Boise to Seattle, Washington State

Well this is the final leg.

This leg will be a little different - I'll be making lots of short hops and dropping into small airfields seat-of-the-pants style!


Crossed into Washington from Oregon.. this river divides the two states.. We're on the Washington side now, descending and heading for our VFR nav point - the small island ahead - before turning north for the airfield.




and landed at Columbia Crest Winery!

Leg 16 - Jackson Hole to Boise Idaho

Pre-dawn departure from Jackson Hole


Climbing out over the Teton Mountains


Sunrise behind me as the flight progresses west.



Interesting rise in the otherwise flat plains


Hitting some heavy showers


Having to scud run down into a valley to stay visual






ILS approach into Boise


Short final

Leg 15 - Rapid City to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Departing Rapid Ciy


Westward bound at 10,000 feet. At this point I am unaware of the flaw in my flight plan.
But, on closer inspection, they do look like mountains in the distance...


OK so the flaw in plan has become apparent. I'm at a little over 10,000 feet and the terrain around me is higher. In fact here I am weaving between the peaks looking for a way out.



Got to love this one. Just a clearing a ridge before a large drop off; I'm barely above ground level and the altimeter is reading 11,208 feet. It's a tad chilly up here and I'm forced above the 10,000 no-oxygen limit out of necessity.


And over the side (phew) with the terrain dropping away. Note the GPS; the planned track is shown (current segment in magenta); I've diverted as shown to the south. Destination Jackson Hole can bee seen at the far left of the GPS display.


Overhead my new diversion waypoint, Dubois. Now to find a way up the valley and the next set of ridges.


That's a very isolated looking church down there...


High ground again, with the Teton Ranges in the distance.


And over the last ridge, about to rejoin the original navigation track.


Approach into Jackson Hole.


Jackson Hole.

Leg 14 - Fargo to Rapid City, SD

Here we are Leaving Fargo.



Rapid City Circuit Pattern



Turning Final at Rapid City


And a later scenic trip to Mount Rushmore

Leg 13 - Minneapolis to Fargo, ND

Hmm, hell of a queue....


Lining up for takeoff. Hopefully I'm next!


Waiting for the green light...



Away and gear up


Leaving Minneapolis behind, heading out across the icy wasteland...


Looks cold down there..




Weather is improving nicely. We're on a VFR plan all the way.


Turning over Fergus Falls VOR.


The final navigation waypoint; inbound on descent to Fargo (Note the GPS).




This is one of my favorite shots. Turning downwind for RWY17 at Fargo.
Looks like a nice town.


Turning Base


Short Final RWY17, Fargo.


Parked on the GA apron at Fargo in cool, sunny weather.


Next morning, out to the aircraft to check things over and refuel.


At the bowser.


View from the left seat whilst sitting at the bowser.


Back on the GA ramp, waiting for a sunny day!

Leg 12 - Oshkosh to Hudson & Minneapolis/St Paul

Some circuits around Oshkosh, the day before departure:









Next day, we're off to Hudson in fairly snowy conditions



Climbing away from Oshkosh


Approach into Hudson


Approach into Husdson


After a brief stop in Hudson, I continued across the river to Minneapolis.

ILS approach to Minneapolis - St Paul


Short Final into Minneapolis - St Paul International