First time IFR

[midlifeflyer]

I am thinking I can introduce my wife(y) to the clouds by filing for the tops (if I can get so precisely lucky one day) or at least VFR-on-top on a BKN day. If she likes the view from above, she is more likely to enjoy the flight.

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - that helps a passenger enjoy IFR more than leaving a dismal cloudy grey day on the ground and breaking into bright blue skies and sunshine.

Other than the particular day, luck can have only a little to do with it. In many parts of the country, the dismal day below can end ends at 3,000 to 4,000 AGL. Unless it's a particularly heavily traffic'd area for light GA IFR, it shouldn't be a problem getting there.