Flying high...

One of the benefits of working contract jobs is all the interesting folks you run into. Roger Ryon is one I met while doing my stint at Regence. A fairly unassuming cat, Mr. Ryon has what you might call an active and creative outside life....one that includes a wildly colorful plane that he likes to fly now and then. Yesterday, he took me for a ride.

Sporting the psychedelic colors of the Black Rock Travel Agency (Roger's a Burning Man vet), we took off from Troutdale airport and flew south amidst high clouds and fair weather. From 5000+ feet we could see from Mt. Rainer to Three Sisters.

The engines hummed with a rhythm that oscillated through the cabin...a vibration that Roger closely monitored and adjusted - while he pointed out the various sights and landmarks. I held maps, took photos, and even cobbled together a metal twist-tie - to help stabilize the throttle when it started to slip slightly.

We followed a 1.5 hour path full of local airports....Aurora, McMinnville, Hillsboro, St. Helens - and finally back to Troutdale.

Looking forward to the next time in the air...