After three long weeks of unsettled weather, the sky finally opened into an almost perfect flying day. I set out on a 155 km scenic flight to Cache Creek, following the winding beauty of the Thompson River valley. The valley spreads wide and open, shaped over ages by water cutting through the high terrain that now rises on both sides of the river.

I circled the Cache Creek airport to consider a landing, but the conditions felt off, so I let the idea go and carried on. The Thompson Estate area has always fascinated me. Along the north bank, the river has carved sweeping curves into a steep, clean angle of repose that looks as if it were shaped by human hands. It is a rare and striking formation.

I also made passes over the Tobiano golf and residential area, enjoying its patterns from above, along with the natural formations on the southwest side. The entire flight was deeply enjoyable.