PIREP L06 - Furnace Creek

I had some work obligations during the kids spring break this year, so we punted on the idea of going to Palm Springs.  Also since we've been to PSP four times or so, I thought it might be fun to try a new destination.  I heard April was a good time to go to Death Valley for the super bloom, so we booked a little weekend jaunt to Furnace Creek since there is a runway right there.  Great trip!  We had a fun time, it wasn't too outrageously hot and the desert is beautiful.  Route was VFR CCR-L05-L06 to stay at non-o2 altitudes.

Titus canyon by jeep and zabriskie point sunset hike were the highlights. I will say the campers are way more intrepid than me... I love camping, by a nice river with trees and shade, but I really can't imagine roughing it in that desolate, scorched place. However the oasis hotel was great. Nice air conditioned Casita, beautiful grounds, spring fed pool. Thumbs up. The super bloom is still going but I'd say if wild flowers are your thing, probably only a few more weeks for that. also at the Oasis there are literally thousands and thousands of butterflies right now. way cool.

At last

At last she emerges from annual.  We installed new fuel tanks, re-rigged the landing gear, and all new hinges on the gear doors, plus new spinners.  She's running smooth and strong and should be all ready for paint on May 6th.  Bummed about more downtime but will be nice to have her all dolled up in a new scheme, even though the paint show pretty well right now.

Shiny spiny things

I'm 6 weeks in to my annual, which is a huge bummer but not really the shops fault. The fuel tanks took a long time to fabricate and they sent them back to me with only one nipple on the outside edge where there are supposed to be two... a vent and a fuel return. Long story short, the tank is being sent back to Eagle to be fixed. They didn't have an explanation as to why it was built incorrectly, but at least they are paying rush freight both ways and they say they can have it fixed and back to us by the end of the week. We'll see... I'm also having new hinges installed on the gear doors and a minor crack repaired in the engine nacelle. This is discretionary stuff normal people would skip but I'm going for paint and I want her perfect.I also bought some new spinners and here they are installed...