Death Valley National park fortunately has not changed since my last visit. As desolate and hot as ever.
The runway is reported as in bad condition… not a real problem for YLL
Furnace Creek airfield, notice that only the right side of the runway on the picture is being used
It is 10:05h when I land at Furnace Creek, but the T already going thru 40°C. Lucky for me, the only shadow, in front of the hangar, is available. Brewing coffee on my JetBoil whilst cleaning the salt off the flaps and tail surfaces, I take care of moving slowly, lest I start perspirating… no one is around, no sound, no nothing but sand, rocks… and the increasing heat. Time to leave…
Dan wrote:
Not sure I’d fancy driving around in Ontario’s courtesy car…
Oh but this is one of the best parts of touring in the US: the courtesy car lottery! I’ve driven around in all manner of half-running relics, as well as some quite luxurious ones. It’s a sometimes hysterical part of the fun. 
Also I keep hearing you mention plugging in approaches, but I understood you cannot fly IFR (US notwithstanding) in an RV. Do I misunderstand this?
Interestingly to note is the density altitude… despite being on the lowest field of the US at -210ft, the heat takes its toll…
A last look looking down Death Valley, then surreal landscapes on the way to Las Vegas
North Las Vegas arrivals is quite busy.
I’m still 15NM West, ATC: “RV HLL make a 360 to the left, you’re 100 knots faster than preceding” 
Las Vegas, and KVGT in the upper left
Refuel, park, tie-down, the OAT is only 34°C, sure feels cool after the Furnace
FBO, wait for taxi to arrive, check-in at one of the oldest casinos, the Golden Nugget.
After a stroll in the neighbourhood, I take a line bus heading South thru Las Vegas. At the terminal station another bus takes me back. Sure a good way to cheaply visit a big city.
Since it ain’t my first visit to Vegas, I just spend a couple of hours in what’s labeled the Fremont Street Experience before hitting the sack… Vegas is as crazy as it’s ever been
I understood you cannot fly IFR (US notwithstanding) in an RV. Do I misunderstand this?
That is definitely not true, especially, in US in N-reg experimental with pilot qualification and equipment (see CFR 91.205), people fly IFR & IMC in RV in US (some ex-Mooney friends are doing some serious legs at FL250 in turbo-prop Lancair instead of getting a TBM !)
If you can do that in European reg is different matter but “in Rome you do like Romans” no?
Day 22
KVGT North Las Vegas – 1G4 Grand Canyon West – KSEZ Sedona – KPGA Page Muni
“hey dude, the tower ain’t open yet” is the reply I get after having called twice on the frequency
The sun is still low below the horizon, but I’m already late… and since the ATC is still asleep, I now depart due West iso East, thereby avoiding multiple MOAs, and then circumnavigate the now called Harry Reid International airport before finally heading East…
Vegas suburb
Hoover Dam is quickly reached
Enroute
Approaching the Grand Canyon, one has to stay outside the GCN SFRA (Grand Canyon Special Flight Rules Area). Access to the Canyon itself has been blocked many years ago for different reasons. Still, a sneak inside is possible
The initial plan was to land at Grand Canyon West, and take a “quick” hike to the brim, before continuing.
Following a spectacular approach, I’m now on the ground at Grand Canyon West, and no soul in sight. High fences around the perimeter, with a couple of doors. On some US airports one will spot the code needed to return to one’s airplane is airside next to the locking mechanism, or it will be given by the FBO, or found in the remarks of a briefing sheet… nothing of the sort here. I exit and walk to a security post I spot on the road leading to the brim. The guard, tells me that the park only opens at 9am, e.g. in 2 hours… he’s kind enough to enquire about the code so I can return to my impatient steed
The tourist trap I’m now happy to have missed
I take-off and pick-up an easterly heading, flying as close to the forbidden zone as possible…
Transit overhead of the Grand Canyon National Park airport
Sedona’s weather, looks great!
The approach into Sedona airport is as stunning as ever. And the pancakes still delicious!
I mentioned somewhere at the beginning of the thread no food pictures, but there’s no rule without exception(s)
After take-off I can’t help it, but spend some time slaloming between the red colored buttes, terrific landscape
I leave the area and the flight progresses rapidly. I’m soon approaching my next POI…
Says the airline captain to his copilot whilst overflying the crater: “geez man, and that f…..g meteorite almost hit the carpark!”
Beautiful landscape. Never flown there (did my IR in Arizona but too far away – KCHD). I wonder if you did Bryce Canyon?
slaloming between the red colored buttes
You should have another RV in formation for your camouflage album or “find Willy or Charlie” pictures?
Peter wrote:
I wonder if you did Bryce Canyon?
Yep, but not this time
