6/26 Flight over the volcano!!

Today I went flying with my friend Tim and his girlfriend for a little scenery.  The weather was not great, an overcast ceiling at 3300ft and no sun to be seen, but it was good enough for a flight.  We took off from Pearson field and headed north toward Scapoose, OR.  About half way there the clouds started to open up and I could see that they were very thin.  I began a climb to 7000ft and pointed the airplane toward Mt. St. Helens.  The flight took about 20 min to get out there and we could see the “intact” side of the mountain.  I always forget how rugged and beautiful the terrain is around there.  We passed around to the far side and could clearly see the devastation that was left from the eruption in the early eighties.  After a nice view of the lake, which is still filled with the trees blown off of the mountain, I decided to climb to 10,000ft and fly directly over the top.  The view was fantastic.  Absolutely amazing view.  After we passed over I thought of the movie Finding Nemo.  Particularly the scene where he was being initiated as Shark Bait and the fish were chanting as he prepared to cross the erupting bubbles of Mt. Hockalougie.

Shark bait Oh Ha Ha J

Then on the return home I lost my fuel flow gauge, and then the GPS screen started to flash out, then the clock and turn coordinator!!  I lost all electrical.  I luckily had a hand held radio so I could make my radio calls and I was only 5 miles from Pearson field.  Landing was no issue and I put Serenity away.  Nerves are high though as I am sure that this is some sort of alternator problem and it will be expensive.