November 11, 2018 - To/From Johnson City, TN

I flew down to Johnson City, Tennessee to visit my Mom in nearby Erwin.

Here I'm passing overhead Clearview Airport.
   
Passing by Harpers Ferry.
   
Flying down the Shenandoah Valley.  But like the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon a week ago, the color was just not there.  There was soaring activity at Front Royal Airport as I passed by.
   
Flying down the Shenandoah Valley next to the center ridge.
   
The South Fork Shenandoah River.   Why is it so curvy?
   
Looking west at the center ridges.
   
Passing Luray Airport.  I landed there once, in the Citabria.
   
Approaching Massanuttin Ski Resort at the southern tip of the ridge.
   
Passing by the summit.
   
Checking out the radio and cellular antennas at the summit.
   
Still heading south, the valley starts to get hilly.
   
Entering the Geroge Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
   
Ah, if only I could have hit it at peak!
   
Still pretty flying over the trees.
   
Climbing up a valley.
   
And on the other side.
   
Looking west down the Jackson River.
   
And looking east.
   

I spotted a hang glider, para glider or ultralight down below.

Suddenly I started getting bounced around a lot down low.  So I had to climb.
   
I exited the wilderness area around Blacksburg, home of the Virginia Tech Hokies.
   
On base at Mountain Empire Airport, my favorite stop when traveling to Johnson City.  The airport manager knows and likes my plane and I enjoy talking with him when I stop.  I didn't have time today but the next time I stop, I'll borrow their courtesy car and have lunch at a place in town he says is really good.
   
And of course I always have to cruise down South Holsten Lake.
   
The Lake is always scenic.
   
How did those three trees get started on that sandbar in the middle of the lake?
   
Overhead Johnson City Airport!  As you know, I have landed here many times.
   
After a pleasant week visiting my Mom, I took off from Johnson City Airport and headed home.  Passing by some typical Tennesee countryside.
   
Cruising up South Holston Lake.
   
 
   
I was in a hurry to get home so as soon as I left the lake, I climbed to 9,500 feet to take full advantage of a righteous tailwind.
   
I made between 210-215 mph groundspeed all the way home.  Here I'm passing by Ingalls Field Airport which is on top of a ridge in the middle of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.  I landed at home base exactly two hours after leaving Johnson City.
   
 
   
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