Flight was great. Left Fort Collins at 2000Z and landed at SMX 0330Z. Winds were 270 @17G25. Runway 30 worked fine. Place does lockup early we barely made the FBO to get out. After 9 I guess you use the hotel. No coded gate or anything.
Enroute were the expected PM termals. Couldn't even get out of them at 14,500. Little more west wind than forcast. Had 15k headwind rather than the expected 5k. It was warm DA at Bryce was 10,200 (7590 msl). Fun listening to all the traffic around Vegas and Edwards. We stayed high due to the tango airmets. I've learned that the passes between the desert and valley can be nasty. Came across the grapevine on I-5 at 10500 and got pushed up to 12,000 on a highspeed elevator - 2000+ fpm but smooth. Kept waiting for the hammer but it never hit. Kept it high all the way to the coast and spiriled down over the coast.
Now hope we don't have trouble getting out Tuesday. I'm rated and current but 0/0 I won't do.
Eric