May 24, 2023 - Scott, Sebring, and Shark Valley
My RV-7 tied up on the Sebastian ramp.  It's a good thing I brought the canopy cover because my plane got rained on hard at least once every 24 hours.
   
This morning I would be flying Bruce's friend Scott.  Scott is an aviation enthusiast who has flown in over 22 different types of planes including a B-17.
   
My goal was to make his flight in the RV-7 the best one of all the planes he's flown in.
   
I think I succeeded.  I showed Scott all the ways you can have fun in an RV.  It was definately a thrill ride.  He looks pretty happy.
   

Then Bruce and I hopped into the RV and headed southeast to Sebring Airport for some breakfast.

Along the way we checked out Indian Hammock Airport where we flew to last year in Bruce's Champ.
   
We had to deviate some to the south to avoid some restricted airspace.
 
Here we are flying over a big canal -- typical Florida landscape.
   
Sebring Airport (KSEF) in sight.  I've been here once before.  Lynnette and I stopped on our way home from the Keys.
   
Sebring is a big airport.  Two big runways, lots of hangar space, a couple of businesses, an upscale FBO with restaurant, and a racetrack.  Sebring also has an excellent fuel price $5.15.
   
The interior of the upscale FBO.
   
Bruce and I had a good breakfast at the Runway Cafe.
   
This is what we like to see; some guy checking out my plane on the ramp.
   
Leaving Sebring, we headed south towards the Everglades.  I wanted to see the observation tower at Shark Valley.
   
Passing overhead Airglades Airport (2IS), located at the southwest corner of Lake Okeechobee.   This was the first airport I stopped at back in 2003 when I flew a Corbin Baby Ace from south Miami to Baltimore on a two and a half day trip.
   
Interesting circular mounds.
   
Following a canal south.
   
We flew over this unusual thatched-hut community out by itself in the forest.  Maybe an undiscovered Seminole Indian community?
   
About to cross Interestate 75 which runs east-west across Florida: the famed Alligator Alley.   This is looking east.
   

And looking west at Alligator Alley.

Still mostly trees at this point.
   
Now turning into marsh.
   
Definately marsh now.
   
Wow, very unusual looking.
   
Approaching Highway 41 which also runs east-west across Florida.
   

Looking east down Highway 41.  We're at the "Forty Mile Bend".  Parallel to the highway is the Tamiami Canal.  This highway/canal leads directly to Miami.

On the other side of this outpost is Shark Valley Tram Tours.
   
Lynnette and I did the Shark Valley tram tour last year and really enjoyed it.  Link.
 
The two hour tram tour takes a 15 mile loop trail, stopping at an observation tower 7.5 miles south for about 20 minutes.
 
In this picture, you can see the southbound trail portion at lower left.  The northbound trail portion is a straight run from left to right.  You can see a tram at far right.
 
It's also possible to walk or bike the loop trail.
   
Zooming in on the tram.
   
The everglades look a lot different from the air than they do from the ground.
   
Approaching the Shark Valley observation tower.
   
 
   
 
   
Now following Highway 41 east for a little while.
   
Then we turn north and head for home.
   
A little low-level.
   
Passing over Alligator Alley again.   Alligators love to hang out in those canals by the highway.
   
 
   
Continuing north.  This area looked very familiar to me; I'm pretty sure this is the way I came in the Baby Ace.
   
Suddenly we were out of the everglades and over farmland.
 
The clouds are building again.
   
A massive fire putting out some serious smoke.
   

We thought Sebastian might be under a rain storm, but it had already passed by the time we arrived.  So we didn't get rained on today.

We celebrated a successful flying day by heading over to the Tiki Bar!
   
Our flight path today.
   
 
 
   
Previous
Home
Next