Since Shannon and I are both licensed and crazy about 180's, Gene offered Shannon the left seat for the trip out. Later, Gene would sign-us off for a little "tailwheel time" since he is a CFII after all!
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Having my tailwheel only a year now, I know how much a little wind will play into my "go, no-go" decision-making. Today, they are forecast to be 20kts, gusting 30. Yikes! I called Gene that morning to confirm he could handle it... I knew I couldn't! Thankfully, Shannon took the first leg. He doesn't have his tailwheel signoff yet, so weaving around on the taxiways on our way to the runway in this 15kt wind was blamed on "wind and inexperience". She wanted to turn quick with the wind to our back. Gene was patient with us though, and jumped on the rudder and the first signs of her wanting to whip around.
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Still taxiing, I looked off to my right to capture the view from the airport. That is where we're headed.
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And the fun begins. Off into the air we start our trek over the city and into the mountains. NE heading 015.
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Off the other direction you can see mountains in the distance.
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As we turn toward the mountains, features of the city come into view. Here is the aquaduct and the city's main artery, I-84.
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To the south is another mountain range. I guess that's why they say Boise is in the "valley".
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On the other side, is the town (some in these parts might call this a "city", but not where I come from!) of Boise. You can see a few high-rises in the far left-side of the picture. Boise is far smaller than even Columbus Ohio.
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Starting up into the foothills. Here you can make out Tablerock in the middle-right. It is the hill in the middle that looks flat on top - like a table.
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Further into the hills, we think this is simply fantastic... but its about to get a whole lot better.
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