Those east Texas summer days translate to high density takeoffs when you are loaded down. Humidity is a killer. My dad was an airline pilot and owned a few planes, I soloed in his 172 and got my instrument in his Commander 114 (back in 1974). Kids and other things have kept me from flying in a left front seat since late 80's.

Bonnie, my grandparents lived for 20 years in Ellensburg, Cle Elum prior to that.. They owned a small farm on Caribou Rd just west of Whiskey Dick Mt. then sold that once they got older and moved over to Naneum Road just north of the Vantage highway. I sent many a summer and vacation up on the Colockum agate hunting. There used to be an old kids fishing pond on Naneum road about 1/2 mile north of the Vantage highway. They lived their last years in the house across the road back to the south. I caught lots of fish from that pond. I have spent lots of time in central Washington as a kid/teen.

My aunt and uncle owned a cattle ranch over in Thorp. Coldest swim I ever had was in the Columbia River in late July, burn your feet walking to the water only to freeze once your in. Have family all around Spokane and north of Seattle near Bow and Lynden. Dad grew up on Whidbey Island.