July FlyOut

Sequim this July did not experience our usual weather. We had less sun and more wind for sure. Both affected our flyouts. I say flyouts (plural) because we tried twice.

Most flyouts are planned within a few days of the flight so that the weather forecasts don’t stretch over a long period of time. But our July flyout was mapped out far in advance to match Concretes annual fly-in. And while it appeared good weather would prevail, such was not the case. Flyout day arrived with fog and low clouds. The forecast called for improvement so I watched closely, but 9:00 am came and it was still IFR in the area. For the first time ever I extended the flyout go/no go time, announced I was not ready to give up, and asked all wanting this flyout to happen to stick it out for a while. By 11:00 am the cloud cover between Arlington and Skagit was 1400 - and visibility was 10 miles. While VFR, the cloud cover was less than my criteria for flyouts of this distance so I cancelled it. In doing so I advised that Concrete’s fly-in was in full swing and that Tracy and I intended to proceed on our own. Bud Davis said he was also going so the three of us (two airplanes) met up with Ray and Lisa Ballantyne and Richard and Mary Ann Howell for lunch. They and many others had camped.

But what about a true July FlyOut? Wednesday and Thursday were looking good, so I emailed our members that we’d make Friday Harbor on Wednesday our July Flyout. We could meet at noon for photos. Naturally Wednesday arrived with fog and low clouds. Slowly the fog li-ed but low clouds prevailed. By go no-go time (9:00) the islands were scattered or clear and Port Angeles was VFR. The flyout was a go! By 11:00 Port Townsend was clear, too. So off we went. Nine of us (John Ward, Aidan Lara and Emilee Westcott, Bud Davies and Scott Brooksby, and Richard and Mary Ann Howell, and Tracy and myself) arrived in time for photos and the walk into town. Lunch was at the Downrigger Restaurant followed by ice cream on the way back.