Aug 18-19, 2012 - POA fly-in Shelter Cove

High pressure is pretty much the standard from June through September.

Right, (I was stationed at CGAS Sacremento for a while) I was pointing out that the location of the center of the system will determine whether you have offshore flow or not. Sounds like a great event, wish I could make it, but my dance card is filled that weekend. :sad:
 
UPDATE on the Garberville alternate for people who I haven't contacted by private message:

I've contacted several of the shuttle firms that normally transport hikers or do area tours, and the following two have indicated they can be available to anyone needing transport between Garberville airport and Shelter Cove in case the latter stays fogged in on arrival days from Thursday to Saturday (with a Sunday departure):

Roxanne of Lost Coast Trail Transport Service responded to my email with an email that said that she has done this sort of transport before; understands about the fog, and would know to expect calls if Shelter Cove stays fogged in. She could be called on her land-line (707-986-9909) or cell (707-273-7414) for a fog report. She can carry up to 3 people on a trip and the rate is $120. No deposit is needed; we'd call if/when we needed her service.

Blu Graham at Lost Coast Adventures responded to my email by suggesting we talk on the phone. For a single trip the price would be between $80 to $100. If the pilots are packing light, it sounds like he could carry 4 or 5 people in one trip, lowering the per person cost. So if we can manage any sort of scheduling coordination on landing in Garberville that may help. Otherwise there would be a 1.5 to 2 hour wait between shuttles, since that is how long it would take to go from Garberville airport to Shelter Cove and back again. (This of course would be the case with either firm.) He also said that if he had to do a lot of shuttling his cost would be at his hourly rate of between $40 and $50/hour.

No deposit is needed for him either, and he has already penciled us in for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He would schedule in hiking groups on those days anyway, but presumably keep some flexibility in his schedule in case we needed his services. He asked that I contact him 7 to 4 days before any of us arrive to let him know if other weather precludes us from even getting in. (He says he has a friend who is a local pilot and was willing to provide that pilot's contact information if we wanted a local source of weather. I said we already had a hotel innkeeper who could provide that info.)

The price range given by Graham is due no doubt to this being the first time he has considered offering this service. The above all comes from notes I took during our phone conversation, hence some ambiguities.

I have not settled on one firm, but I think I probably should. Should I simply go with the cheapest, or the more experienced?

Do these drivers know that if they take us from the airport to our hotel in Shelter Cove on Saturday, we therefore have to go back on Sunday and hire them again? I know that sounds silly, but I didn't think of it, and I don't really want to pay $120 twice (240) that's more than my hotel room and maybe even more than my flight.

My concerns involve getting a hold of these people via cell. Or the other pilots. Once we are there, at the shuttle, we can pick a time to go home on Sunday (or let him know we'll call him Sunday morning after we check the weather).
 
Oh and do they take credit cards or just cash? What about checks? I don't normally carry hundreds of dollars and I'd bet ATMs are tough out there.
 
Do these drivers know that if they take us from the airport to our hotel in Shelter Cove on Saturday, we therefore have to go back on Sunday and hire them again?

Yes they are both very well aware of this requirement.

I know that sounds silly, but I didn't think of it, and I don't really want to pay $120 twice (240) that's more than my hotel room and maybe even more than my flight.

My concerns involve getting a hold of these people via cell. Or the other pilots. Once we are there, at the shuttle, we can pick a time to go home on Sunday (or let him know we'll call him Sunday morning after we check the weather).
It is expensive; the $80 to $100 quote is modestly better. I believe in both cases they were quoting one-way, but I will contact them to verify.

Both indicated that they should be called at their land-line and cell phone numbers. I will verify that.

Oh and do they take credit cards or just cash? What about checks? I don't normally carry hundreds of dollars and I'd bet ATMs are tough out there.
Good point on the forms of payment - I don't carry much cash these days either. I will ask.
 
I hate to say it, but unless my boyfriend is going to help pay for this trip, I might not be able to afford the shuttle (unless we get the guy who can hold all of us at the same time and we can split costs). I will be there, no matter what, since I've posted this event in so many places, but I guess that means I'll drive if I have to. He would hate that. Let me google the drive time......

Windsor to Shelter Cove: 3.5 to 4.5 hours, each way.
 
Re: July or Aug 2012 - POA fly-in Shelter Cove

Kimberly My friend has a piper arrow and is IFR rated we are thinking of flying to Shelter Cove from KTCY do you know for a fact that fuel is available at KLLR Little River if the weather does not co operate will than try for August 18th.
AShah:wink2:
Webcams for Shelter Cove:

http://northcoastaviation.com/shelter_cove/shelter_cove_south.htm


When you fly into Shelter Cove, stay at the Inn of the Lost Coast at the north end of the field. They will see you land and come pick you up. Pilots can also use the van to drive around the area. The hotel is excellent, the service is great and its right on the water. There is no fuel but Little River has 100LL about 45 miles south and Ukiah has 100LL and jet about 60 miles S/E. There are several fields to visit between Santa Rosa and Shelter Cove. A great place to fly.


Tides Inn Special:

Pilot's Special

PILOTS
*Make reservations
*Cancel because of weather
*No Charge
Go to AirNav.com for flight instructions, info about the area, and directions. 0Q5
 
Re: July or Aug 2012 - POA fly-in Shelter Cove

Kimberly My friend has a piper arrow and is IFR rated we are thinking of flying to Shelter Cove from KTCY do you know for a fact that fuel is available at KLLR Little River if the weather does not co operate will than try for August 18th.
AShah:wink2:

Fuel is available at KLLR but if you're coming from KTCY, Shelter Cove is only 190 NM away. That's a no sweat round trip for an Arrow unless you're planning on trading off a lot of fuel to haul some serious baggage.
 
Re: July or Aug 2012 - POA fly-in Shelter Cove

Kimberly My friend has a piper arrow and is IFR rated we are thinking of flying to Shelter Cove from KTCY do you know for a fact that fuel is available at KLLR Little River if the weather does not co operate will than try for August 18th.
AShah:wink2:

Just so you know, IFR rated or not, there are no instrument approaches at Shelter Cove so you will need to operate VFR to land there.
 
Re: July or Aug 2012 - POA fly-in Shelter Cove

Just so you know, IFR rated or not, there are no instrument approaches at Shelter Cove so you will need to operate VFR to land there.

yes we know ! how about a GPS approach we intend to use PAVE(Pilot, Aircraft, Environment, External Pressures) if any factor will be out of normal either we won't go or land somewhere else if in flight we do a 360 , we will fly at 6500 feet therefore we can set our personal minimums for this flight as 8000 ft ceiling, at least 8 miles visibility,max. 8 kts Xwind,if WX in route becomes less than Personal Minimums we will alter route , we if try to leave Tracy at 7.am and return by 2.00 PM that same day & yes we will operate vFR :):)
 
Re: July or Aug 2012 - POA fly-in Shelter Cove

Fuel is available at KLLR but if you're coming from KTCY, Shelter Cove is only 190 NM away. That's a no sweat round trip for an Arrow unless you're planning on trading off a lot of fuel to haul some serious baggage.
thanks !
Yes the Arrow will make it RTrip :wink2: but we would still like add fuel as personal minimums weight is no issue since there will be only 2 of US.
 
UPDATE AGAIN on using Garberville airport as an alternate.

I had written:

Roxanne of Lost Coast Trail Transport Service [...] She can carry up to 3 people on a trip and the rate is $120. No deposit is needed; we'd call if/when we needed her service.

She accepts cash only. Because she is also more expensive per trip and can carry only 3 people, I think she needs to be ruled out.

Blu Graham at Lost Coast Adventures [...] For a single trip the price would be between $80 to $100.
Blu called me back today and his rate is definitely $100 per trip ($200 round trip.) However, his van can carry 8 to 10 people and has a luggage rack. Alas, when I answered his call I didn't have my notes handy so forgot to ask about forms of payment. I suspect cash only, though.

On Friday the 17th he would be available most of the afternoon (at least as of today, the 2nd.) He is already booked to do some shuttling at 4 PM on Saturday the 18th, but would be available for shuttles between noon and 2 PM. He is available Sunday the 19th and knows that if we use him earlier we'd need him that day to get back.

I think Blu Graham is the best ground transport option, should anyone want to use it. Not cheap, alas, unless two or more groups can sync up to share costs. Personally, if it is severe clear on the coast because the wind is offshore and causing too much turbulence for my skill level as the air spills over the mountains into Shelter Cove then I'm more than willing to turn tail and try Garberville. So I made sure to let him know that even if there is no fog some of us might want to use his services anyway (assuming Garberville is calmer!) Of course he'd probably be available for other ground transport needs for traditional touristy things.
 
UPDATE AGAIN on using Garberville airport as an alternate.

I had written:



She accepts cash only. Because she is also more expensive per trip and can carry only 3 people, I think she needs to be ruled out.

Blu called me back today and his rate is definitely $100 per trip ($200 round trip.) However, his van can carry 8 to 10 people and has a luggage rack. Alas, when I answered his call I didn't have my notes handy so forgot to ask about forms of payment. I suspect cash only, though.

On Friday the 17th he would be available most of the afternoon (at least as of today, the 2nd.) He is already booked to do some shuttling at 4 PM on Saturday the 18th, but would be available for shuttles between noon and 2 PM. He is available Sunday the 19th and knows that if we use him earlier we'd need him that day to get back.

I think Blu Graham is the best ground transport option, should anyone want to use it. Not cheap, alas, unless two or more groups can sync up to share costs. Personally, if it is severe clear on the coast because the wind is offshore and causing too much turbulence for my skill level as the air spills over the mountains into Shelter Cove then I'm more than willing to turn tail and try Garberville. So I made sure to let him know that even if there is no fog some of us might want to use his services anyway (assuming Garberville is calmer!) Of course he'd probably be available for other ground transport needs for traditional touristy things.

Don't forget we / I have the free van for ground transport once at the hotel in Shelter Cove. Not sure of the details.
 
Getting closer. To recap here is what we are doing:

1. Flying to Shelter Cove. Different pilots arriving on different days, possible some may come for a few hours and not stay the night. I'm coming on Saturday and leaving Sunday.

2. Stay in Shelter Cove. I know a few of us have chosen the Inn of the Lost Coast.

3. Alternate is to land in Garberville and hire a shuttle to drive us to the Shelter Cove Airport... I have found one who is 45 minutes away and will do a car load for $100. It can fit up to 6 people, I think. In speaking with Jim (pilot), however, our schedules aren't the same, so unless you can arrange to be there at the same time and split the costs, you'll have to pay $100 (from Garberville to Shelter Cove) and then another $100 to get back.

4. Inn Of The Lost Coast has a "pilot policy" - though they would like us to cancel by 9am, they will not charge you until you check in. This would be a worst case scenario, though in my case I'll drive if I can't fly for some reason.

5. If I have your phone number and you're confirmed coming, I'll text you if this is "off" - otherwise I'm planning a meet and greet at 3:30pm - 4:00pm at the runway / deli area of Shelter Cove on Saturday after everyone arrives and settles in. I'll bring a cooler and some refreshments. Can't think of too many reasons I'd cancel this, only one being I'm taking a shuttle and I'm late.

6. Dinner reservations for Saturday night (number 5 was for pilots not staying the night). This reservation has not been made, I need a headcount, I will find out the restaurant this week - who wants to go?

7. Sunday another runway meet and greet (unless of course weather is bad and I have to leave to beat the weather). Let's say 2pm. Again, this is for people just coming for the day. I'll be there for 30 minutes with refreshments.


The above meetings were because I've read on meetup that pilots go to places but never end up seeing one another there. This gives us a chance to have a central meeting location, but then go off and do our own day activities.

I am going to call the Inn regarding my access to a van - I would like to see how long we can use it and how far we can drive. The idea is to perhaps go on a morning hike at another location, for example, on Sunday. Or something like that.
 
Update: I recently met a pilot who I told verbally about this weekend getaway. He flies out of Sacramento and wanted to rent a 152 for the flight but it would be easier financially if he could split the costs with another pilot. Anyone who is interested please email me and I will put you in touch with him.
 
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Just called a briefer for my flight tomorrow to Little River.

Turns out there is a TFR during our POA Shelter Cove Fly-In that does affect us (sort of - you should just go around and be aware of the TFR):

TFR - August 17 - 1:45pm through 3:45pm

TFR - August 18 - 10am through 4pm,

TFR - August 19 - 10am through 4pm,

Details: 229 degree radial off the Santa Rosa VOR (Santa Rosa is KSTS) at 0.2 nm and 5nm radius around that 16,000 feet and below

So - basically - avoid the class Delta area on the sectional for KSTS. They are hosting the annual Wings Over Wine Country airshow that weekend.... a pretty big deal (last year they had Patty Wagstaff perform and many others).
 
This is the "Black Sand" beach, we can walk there or drive (I'll borrow the van from the Inn to take us all to dinner / beach):

4412220207_7f7131f114_z.jpg
 
Update: Still haven't heard back, but they are only open Thurs - Sun (the only restaurant in town).

I've been told they close at 9pm so I left a voicemail message on their answering machine requesting 7pm and stating we would have at least 5, maybe more.

Here is how I base that count (I was assuming not everyone would join us for dinner, unsure of prices and not everyone loves seafood):

Jim + 1 = 2
Kimberly + 1 = 2
John + 1 = 2
Jonathan + 1 = 2

8 total with hotel reservations

Tom-D - are you going? How many in your party?
Ashah - are you and your friend going?
Onwards - are you going? How many?

Meetup - one pilot might go, one non-pilot driving up with a friend and staying 10 miles out (booked two nights at a motel), not sure if she will join us. She hasn't responded to my email.

Red Board - One but later said he couldn't go, others wanted to but they were busy

Purple Board - Sounds like maybe Patrick will join us (not sure). Others wanted to but had other plans.



I can't find prices or a menu but have been told other than a pizza parlor and a corner store, this is the only real restaurant in town.
 
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Within the next day or two I will be sure to collect everyone's cell phone numbers and email addresses. I thought we could start an email list offline to plan possible activities (hikes etc). I called the inn keeper and she said she could only allow me to drive the van within Shelter Cove itself, not sure if that is entirely true, since there are nice places within 10 miles to get to.
 
Updated information on who to call for rides:


When you land at Garberville, if you have to land there, call Jill at Lost Coast Shuttle - 707-986-7437. There should be OK cell service at that airport.

I told Jill that Jim and I won't land until Saturday, but some of you are landing on other days / times.

Her cost is $100 and she holds six passengers plus luggage (1 luggage each). The $100 is one way and can be split among all of us. Of course, if you need the service, you'll have to pay $100 to get back when you go home.

EDIT: BY SPLIT I MEAN WE'D HAVE TO BE IN THE CAR AT THE SAME TIME.

I highly doubt we could get more than 4 of us to land at the same time and share a shuttle, and some of us might land just to wait out the weather and then attempt landings at Shelter Cove.

After you call Jill, it will take her about 45 minutes to one hour to get to you if she is at home. If she is giving other rides to other customers at the time you call, it could be more or less. At this time, she has no reservations on the 18th.

If all of us take the shuttle, and are all going home on Sunday, we could coordinate the "going home" part to put 6 of us in the van leaving the hotel on Sunday. Then it would be only $17 per person.
 
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http://www.sheltercoveoceanfrontinn.com/restaurant.html

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cove-restaurant-whitethorn


John / Jim - will both of you join us for dinner or do you have other plans? I'll let you know when I confirm with the restaurant.

Jonathan - you too? How many? John and Jim are both parties of 2.

Can't find a menu, or prices, anywhere. Don't know if they'll let us all have separate checks. They have a bar there if we have to wait to be seated or arrive before the others do.

My wife and I will be happy to have dinner with you and whoever else wants to join up.

We aren't that particular about food (no dietary restrictions) so we're cool on whatever can be worked out.
 
My wife and I will be happy to have dinner with you and whoever else wants to join up.

We aren't that particular about food (no dietary restrictions) so we're cool on whatever can be worked out.

OK. I tried calling the hotel (the restaurant is located inside a hotel). They did not pick up. I will keep trying the hotel just to figure out how soon I will hear back from the restaurant. Some people are leaving before us and I want to update this / other boards before Friday with our dinner plans.
 
OK. I tried calling the hotel (the restaurant is located inside a hotel). They did not pick up. I will keep trying the hotel just to figure out how soon I will hear back from the restaurant. Some people are leaving before us and I want to update this / other boards before Friday with our dinner plans.

I will have my iPad and they apparently have at least WIFI access, so I should be able to check in.
 
Kimberly,

There will be two of us for dinner. We are still planning a Thursday arrival so we might check it out before Saturday. We'll report in as required. I spoke to Paul the other night and he was not encouraging about going far with the van. When I made our reservations a month ago, I mentioned to Mary Jane that we would like to go see the redwoods and she said they were just up the road. I'll be disappointed if we can't slip away to see them but I'm sure there will be other neat things to see.

Jonathan
 
Kimberly,

There will be two of us for dinner. We are still planning a Thursday arrival so we might check it out before Saturday. We'll report in as required. I spoke to Paul the other night and he was not encouraging about going far with the van. When I made our reservations a month ago, I mentioned to Mary Jane that we would like to go see the redwoods and she said they were just up the road. I'll be disappointed if we can't slip away to see them but I'm sure there will be other neat things to see.

Jonathan

I agree, but I'm sure we can figure something out. I can drop you off at the redwoods and probably be back to the Inn with the van in only a few minutes.

Since I have brought roughly 4 or more parties of two to the hotel, using the name "Kimberly's Fly In," I'm sure we could arrange something with Mary Jane. I didn't talk to Paul any of the times I called.

What I think they don't want, is, someone to borrow the van and park it far away all day. I'd be happy to drop you off and pick you up at an agreed upon time if it all works out. This is all dependent upon me getting there in a plane in the first place, and getting a hold of you. I would ask you to PM me your cell phone number and email address, but I have heard the reception is horrible there.
 
Kimberly,

I think you're right about not having the van tied up all day. Also, Paul mentioned something about no 4 wheeling in the van to which I chuckled but maybe someone abused the vehicle and they were not amused, just conjecture. Anyway, we'll just play it by ear. We're not on a schedule and just being away from the Tucson heat and listening to the ocean is what we're looking forward to.

Oh, as far as cell phone service, Paul said Verizon had reception, not sure of quality. I'll pm you my email and cphone shortly.

Jonathan
 
That's not what the charter driver told me.

She said:

If you have AT&T, go to the light house, put one hand on the light house, put the cell phone on speaker phone, and aim the phone towards Fort Bragg, CA.... while spinning in circles.

She said the same for Verizon except they have to go to Black Sand Beach to get reception.

A lot depends on the individual phone as well.

She said the closest cell towers are in Fort Bragg and that other carriers (Sprint, Metro) might not get any service.

I think texting is best because even when your phone tells you there are no bars, it will keep trying to send that text until it goes through.
 
That's not what the charter driver told me.

She said:

If you have AT&T, go to the light house, put one hand on the light house, put the cell phone on speaker phone, and aim the phone towards Fort Bragg, CA.... while spinning in circles.

She said the same for Verizon except they have to go to Black Sand Beach to get reception.

A lot depends on the individual phone as well.

She said the closest cell towers are in Fort Bragg and that other carriers (Sprint, Metro) might not get any service.

I think texting is best because even when your phone tells you there are no bars, it will keep trying to send that text until it goes through.

Do you have a Youtube demonstration on this technique? Will a tinfoil hat help?
 
That's not what the charter driver told me.

She said:

If you have AT&T, go to the light house, put one hand on the light house, put the cell phone on speaker phone, and aim the phone towards Fort Bragg, CA.... while spinning in circles.

She said the same for Verizon except they have to go to Black Sand Beach to get reception.

A lot depends on the individual phone as well.

She said the closest cell towers are in Fort Bragg and that other carriers (Sprint, Metro) might not get any service.

I think texting is best because even when your phone tells you there are no bars, it will keep trying to send that text until it goes through.

She likely doesn't have a national roaming plan (or there could be a physical problem with her phone itself.) I have pretty much unlimited coverage, both here and overseas through my AT&T plan. Not necessarily over the AT&T network though.
 
I have edited my post above but haven't heard back from the three in question:

Jim + 1 = 2
Kimberly + 1 = 2
John + 1 = 2
Jonathan + 1 = 2

8 total with hotel reservations

Tom-D - are you going? How many in your party?
Ashah - are you and your friend going?
Onwards - are you going? How many?
 
Updated information on who to call for rides:


When you land at Garberville, if you have to land there, call Jill at Lost Coast Shuttle - 707-986-7437. There should be OK cell service at that airport.

I should have done this sooner, but I just now left a voicemail and email for Blu Graham at Lost Coast Adventure Tours that we had arranged other transportation options. (Between us, Kimberly and I have contacted everyone who provides any sort of ground transport in the area.) However, if anyone does land in Garberville and can't raise Lost Coast Shuttle, then it can't hurt to try calling Lost Coast Adventure Tours.

I told Jill that Jim and I won't land until Saturday, but some of you are landing on other days / times.
Since I'm hoping to head down the coast (I'm assuming it wont clear till after noon,) I had not planned to depart till after 11 am, which will have us arriving between 2 and 3 PM.

I have no set departure time for Sunday - just a range of between noon and 4 PM at the latest.
 
I should have done this sooner, but I just now left a voicemail and email for Blu Graham at Lost Coast Adventure Tours that we had arranged other transportation options. (Between us, Kimberly and I have contacted everyone who provides any sort of ground transport in the area.) However, if anyone does land in Garberville and can't raise Lost Coast Shuttle, then it can't hurt to try calling Lost Coast Adventure Tours.

Since I'm hoping to head down the coast (I'm assuming it wont clear till after noon,) I had not planned to depart till after 11 am, which will have us arriving between 2 and 3 PM.

I have no set departure time for Sunday - just a range of between noon and 4 PM at the latest.

I planned to arrive much earlier, but if I am stuck in Petaluma without being able to take off and I end up in Garberville, I'll keep your intended landing times in mind. Can you / your wife get texts in the plane? I would only text if I've landed or have a wx update for you.

Landed so that you know if we can group up in the van (depends where I land).

Wx update if I get one from the plane or from another local / pilot. This helped a lot last weekend in Little River, the airport manager looked outside at the same time each morning and predicted when the fog would lift - and he was correct. He lives at the airport and has been there for years.
 
Since I'm hoping to head down the coast (I'm assuming it wont clear till after noon,) I had not planned to depart till after 11 am, which will have us arriving between 2 and 3 PM.

I have no set departure time for Sunday - just a range of between noon and 4 PM at the latest.

My plan is to land mid-afternoon on Friday. I can send you a text update on the weather, if you PM me your cell number (I still have Kimberly's).
 
I planned to arrive much earlier, but if I am stuck in Petaluma without being able to take off and I end up in Garberville, I'll keep your intended landing times in mind. Can you / your wife get texts in the plane? I would only text if I've landed or have a wx update for you.

I don't know - I think it best to assume no. Since NWS is forecasting a slight chance of thunderstorms between 77S and 0Q5 I'll probably contact FSS to get weather updates, though I'm pretty sure they wont be able to tell me what is happening at Shelter Cove.

Landed so that you know if we can group up in the van (depends where I land).

Wx update if I get one from the plane or from another local / pilot. This helped a lot last weekend in Little River, the airport manager looked outside at the same time each morning and predicted when the fog would lift - and he was correct. He lives at the airport and has been there for years.
Think there is anyone like that at Shelter Cove who can be called for that kind of prediction?
 
I don't know - I think it best to assume no. Since NWS is forecasting a slight chance of thunderstorms between 77S and 0Q5 I'll probably contact FSS to get weather updates, though I'm pretty sure they wont be able to tell me what is happening at Shelter Cove.

Think there is anyone like that at Shelter Cove who can be called for that kind of prediction?

Yes, I have the inn keeper and the guy at the deli and worst case I'll call the other inns. Also there are webcams but I don't know how well they will load up (I do pay for data on my ipad). I can also (hopefully) call or text our POA friends here who have landed the day before.
 
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