But I'd substitute the coastal flying with flying in the mountains - get
some mountain flying training, and go to airstrips *in* the mountains.
The video doesn't do it justice, but I did just that in August 2005:

Mary and I have flown in the mountains on two legs (to, and from,
Reno, Nevada), and I have co-piloted (sorta) Jim Burns' Aztec to
Vegas. Of course, we didn't land on any cool back-country strips,
but just flying over and through the mountains was stunning.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"