My son, intent on getting his pilot's license, invited me along for his first lesson today. Taking off from Centennial Airport, we curved to the southeast and then followed Cherry Creek NNW to downtown Denver. From there we headed west to Golden, crossing Sloan's Lake and the Clear Creek Valley en route.
Flying southward above the edge of the foothills, we enjoyed fine views of South Table Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Red Rocks Park, Green Mountain and Bear Creek Reservoir. At my urging, we angled ESE to pass above our Littleton farm; the lakes of South Platte Park shimmered to the south, backed by the large swath of Chatfield Reservoir and its State Park. Continuing eastward above C-470, we made a final loop to the south before landing at Centennial.
Long a fan of air travel, which provides a unique perspective of Earth's varied landscapes, it is especially interesting in one's home territory, where the geography of our daily life unfolds below. Though partially diminished by the smoke of distant wildfires, today's aerial survey was a fabulous experience. My thanks to Zach for the invitation!
