Under ideal conditions, the California Air Cam Association team assembled in Placerville to plan their attack of Lake Tahoe.   Rising at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, we had our three Air Cams pre-flighted at the first semblance of daylight.   Floating in relatively stable air, we climbed over the Sierras at the south end of Lake Tahoe and landed at Minden, Nevada at 7 a.m. between two hot air balloons.

Our next stop was the South Lake Tahoe airport, where we momentarily entered an air show that was in full swing.  Sensing that the winds were increasing and that there would be hell to pay if we delayed, we leaped skyward and then topped the summit, headed back towards Placerville.

For most, that would have been enough.  But in the Air Cam you never seem to get enough.  So we flew  south to Columbia, right in the heart of the gold country, for lunch.  By two we were back on the ground in Placerville, after a pleasant five hours in the air, leap frogging in the Sierras. 

We inched over the Sierras at dawn, aiming straight into the sun.   Just beyond the blinding orb was Minden, Nevada, home to gliders and an artery clogging breakfast.

a) This is a fuel mast for in-flight re-fueling, 
b) a gun used for cutting into the traffic pattern, or, c) This is Leza-Lockwood's way cool camera boom.   Answer: (Look right below)

If you look carefully, you'll see three Cams perfectly positioned.  

 Emerald Bay at the South end of Lake Tahoe.  

Dr. Bill Helvey, in his patriotic Flag Cam.

The Dieterichs, next to the VTOL Reindeer Rocket 

 Tim Robertson and me, enjoying the dawn in Minden, Nevada, before the heat is turned on.  

Over a small lake, south of Lake Tahoe.   

If you look very closely (don't strain), you'll see Bill's GPS strapped to his chest, along with the kitchen sink.

Bob and Jamie Dieterich showed us why 914's are so stellar in the mountains.   At S. Lake Tahoe (6,264' MSL) he hit 1,000 AGL by the tower.

The full membership of the California Air Cam Association.

Checking out the bird before heading back home. This is the obligatory first shot to make sure that the panel mounted release for the boom camera is working.

We landed quite by chance in Rio Vista, because coastal fog thwarted our progress to the west.  Imagine our surprise when we found Don working on Paul DeZan's new Air Cam in a local hanger!