August 17, 2025Aug 17 This past week, I was speaking with someone who happens to be the youngest grandfather of all the grandfathers that I know (or have known) in my life...🙂...The gentleman was preparing for a (family) vacation in Colorado, and he mentioned that he might engage in some fishing activities in one of the (many) lakes in the Rockies. In particular, "Lake Granby" was mentioned as a potential candidate. So, today, I wished to do a bit of sightseeing by flying out of Denver (KDEN) and then heading for this so-called "Lake Granby", for some virtual fishing of my own...🙂... Lake Granby is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, northwest of Denver, about 90 miles by road, with a direct distance of about 55 miles. Indeed, this lake is considered a good location in Colorado for fishing (I read, "it offers excellent fishing for the eager angler"...🙂...not sure I'm one though...). Lake Granby is Colorado's largest man-made lake and is known for its diverse fish population, including brown trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, Kokanee salmon, and Mackinaw. It also offers plenty of shoreline (40 miles) for other recreational activities. With mile-high Denver city and the airport (KDEN) being at 5,400 ft elevation, Lake Granby has an elevation of 8,300 ft. So, it's a high-altitude lake. For my flight today, to make it a bit more interesting, after lifting off westward from KDEN, I have first aimed for Aspen (Colorado) about 125 miles southwest of Denver city (see my EFB Map). Aspen is located nestled within the dense Rockies, with some of the highest mountains near it. For example, Mount Elbert, the highest point in the entire Rockies range, is not too far from Aspen. From Aspen, I've then diverted north towards Lake Granby. Landing on Lake Granby was a daunting task...🙂... (try it if you wish). This is because, flying initially at 18,000 ft to stay clear of the mountains in this area, I'd to very carefully (but rapidly) needle my way down through the labyrinth of valleys and plateaus of the Rockies, to finally reach the surface of Lake Granby. However, to my ease and comfort, this highly versatile (and powerful) Dornier Seastar, at the (expert) command of yours truly...🙂...helped nail a challenging but smooth touchdown on the waters of Lake Granby (see images below). And now it's time to look for those diverse variety trout fish...🙂...with rainbow trout being my favorite... Hope you enjoy the collection of images from my short adventure in the Rockies today...with this unique amphibian aircraft...proudly carrying the legendary legacy of Claude Dornier...! Thanks for viewing...!
August 17, 2025Aug 17 I just did a vFlight from KBJC near Boulder to KGNB Granby Regional. It Never even occurred to me to take the Dornier - what a brilliant idea!!! One of the most stunningly beautiful areas in the Lower 48! Just north of Lake Granby is the highest continuous paved road in the US - runs through Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park at just over 12,000' altitude of 2-lane black top, past volcanos, high tundra, and beautiful old growth forest. The loop from Denver up thru Estes Park and then down through Granby (right past the lake) and the mountain interstate back to Denver is one of the best sport bike rides I've ever had 😎 Nice set, as always, and you have definitely inspired me to take that Dornier out and get it wet 🙂 Edited August 17, 2025Aug 17 by UrgentSiesta
August 17, 2025Aug 17 Author 6 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said: I just did a vFlight from KBJC near Boulder to KGNB Granby Regional. It Never even occurred to me to take the Dornier - what a brilliant idea!!! One of the most stunningly beautiful areas in the Lower 48! Just north of Lake Granby is the highest continuous paved road in the US - runs through Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park at just over 12,000' altitude of 2-lane black top, past volcanos, high tundra, and beautiful old growth forest. The loop from Denver up thru Estes Park and then down through Granby (right past the lake) and the mountain interstate back to Denver is one of the best sport bike rides I've ever had 😎 Nice set, as always, and you have definitely inspired me to take that Dornier out and get it wet 🙂 Awesome…🙂…! You know the area so well, from first hand experience…🙂… I am a bit familiar with the Rockies from my 2 visits to the Rocky Mountain National Park, but as a mundane tourist…🙂…I have once taken that Scenic Drive reaching up to (unthinkable) 12,000 ft, from the comfort of my vehicle…🙂…Quite an unworldly experience indeed. I recall my 2nd visit to the Park, during a pause after several inches of snow in Denver. The road was cleared and open to some lower heights. When I showed up in my rental Camry…🙂…, the Park Ranger looked at my car, scowled a bit, but let me in, with a caution to follow all signs, which I did. To this day, I cherish the sight of that snowy white wonderland while climbing up on those majestic mountains… Agree, it’s one of the best areas to visit in the Lower 48. I wish I could visit again…! Thanks for your comments and hope you enjoy flying this quirky but most modern amphibian aircraft…into the heart of the Rockies…🙂…! The (non-Garmin) Honeywell avionics on it appeared a bit different, but worked well enough for me in the SIM. Cheers…!
August 17, 2025Aug 17 Love your diverse choices of aircraft (and crew 🙂), locales, and missions...you really are getting maximum pleasure out of your 2024 install (and Xbox 🙂). Was fortunate enough to experience the whole Denver-Golden-Continental Divide-Grand Lake-Rocky Mountain National Park-Estes Park loop (by car) in the late 60's (just out of college). Left a lasting impression. Edited August 17, 2025Aug 17 by John F
August 17, 2025Aug 17 Author 58 minutes ago, John F said: Love your diverse choices of aircraft (and crew 🙂), locales, and missions...you really are getting maximum pleasure out of your 2024 install (and Xbox 🙂). Was fortunate enough to experience the whole Denver-Golden-Continental Divide-Grand Lake-Rocky Mountain National Park-Estes Park loop (by car) in the late 60's (just out of college). Left a lasting impression. Thanks, John. Yes, plenty of a/c in Xbox now...to keep me having fun and also keeping me out of trouble...🙂...Xbox surely has limitations, but Xbox (and Marketplace) are doing it for me for the time being...fitting my lifestyle. BTW, this pair of crew members has kind of grown on me a bit by now. I hope you recall your comment from my Joliet post...🙂...I guess, it's time to recruit some new faces... Yes, I recall that you'd taken that Scenic (Rocky Mountain) Drive, but smartly as a passenger ...🙂...When I drove it, the experience was a bit un-nerving (while taking momentary glimpses to the sides). And, of course, once is enough for a lifetime...🙂... 51 minutes ago, rmeier said: An unusual aircraft choice...but a great series of photos! 🙂 Agree, rmeier...! Quite an unusual aircraft from our SIM...🙂...I've chosen for my task today. I was wondering today what Claude Dornier (Sr.) of Dornier Do X Flying Boat fame, might have thought of such ultra-modern avionics on one of his inventions...as that (FSX) cockpit of the Do X is now haunting me...🙂... Appreciated the note...! Edited August 17, 2025Aug 17 by P_7878
August 17, 2025Aug 17 7 hours ago, P_7878 said: Thanks for your comments and hope you enjoy flying this quirky but most modern amphibian aircraft…into the heart of the Rockies…🙂…! The (non-Garmin) Honeywell avionics on it appeared a bit different, but worked well enough for me in the SIM. You betcha! Glad you got to visit there in person, too 🙂 But seriously, thank YOU. I think I've only flown the Do once way back when the sim first released. Now that I think of it, it's a perfect GA flyer: glass avionics, twin turboprops, and even a decent cruise at 180kn. And just like back in the 1920's & '30's, a flying boat means you've almost always got somewhere to land. DEFINITELY going to give this some time 😎
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