Orcas Island Flyout

Wow! We had a great time at the Orcas Island flyout on August 12. This was one of our more unusual flyouts because lunch choices included multiple downtown restaurants in Eastsound or a picnic at the airport. And most chose the picnic!

Nine airplanes brought sixteen people to the island. Emily Westcott, Aidan Lara and his mother Sondra Pedlar flew up in Emily’s C172, then wandered into town for lunch. The rest of us picnicked where we watched quite a few airplanes takeoff and land, but mostly just chatted and behaved like long lost friends. “We” were Ken (Brownie) and Skip Brown (RV9), Bill and Dot Shepherd (Swift), Dave and Joan Miller (180 hp Legend Cub), Christi Masi (Murphy Elite), John Ward (Pipistrel Sinus), Richard and Mary Ann Howell (Sling 2), Terry Smith (PA-11), and Ray Ballantyne flew with me in my PA-11. After lunch several of the picknickers walked into town for dessert.

The day was warm with very few clouds, and winds were light. Some of us flew directly to Orcas Island, others flew up along the west side of Whidbey Island and cut over toward our destination when we were north of Whidbey Naval Air Station. Ray and I flew along Whidbey both ways so we got to see Deception Pass twice. But either way the day was gorgeous and the all the scenery was beautiful. Mt Baker stood out to the east and all the islands were visible.

What a great way to spend the day!

Barry