I called Mercey Hot Springs to confirm it is OK to land there, since I needed to go there solo to practice the trip before going with a pax.
Took off from KRHV and went to Frasier Lake first, and did 3 practice landings. There was a crosswind from the right -- almost perpendicular but favoring runway 23 -- so it was fairly challenging. I did wheel landings and the third one was fairly decent.
I then flew off to Mercey Hot Springs, winding my way around the hills. I did one low pass and then one landing, all of which were uneventful. I floatbounced (flounced?) a little on landing because I was landing downhill. I got out and checked things out; it's a great place. Definitely coming back.
I took off and returned following Highway 5, with some low and slow flying over empty fields and one practice engine-out. I think I am finally getting my confidence back after having gotten a bit out of practice due to a COVID-19 hiatus.
As usual, when low and slow, the ONE thing I look at is Airball. AoA and yaw, with dynamic pressure just "fyi". That is all I need for maneuvering flight, and I can confirm all that with one glance. The various wiggles and jiggles waggling about all over the place are useless to me. :)
I did an uneventful landing at KRHV and called it a day.
