KVUO to KAST & Back IFR 1.8 Act. 2.7 Total "First In Act. IFR X-C"

KVUO To KAST

Well, After getting my instrument rating 2 months ago and just playing local
in my 150 getting used to Popping in and out of the clouds totally different
than the hood I decided it was a good day for a real IFR X-C not a very far
one but ceilings were 1,300' local and 2,500' at destination reported with 3
to 5 miles visibility and to be around 2,000 all day diminishing late
afternoon .

Well called in and got my clearance took then about 15 min to get to me,
Nice simple Clearance Cleared to KAST, Via BTG Vortac As Filed, Maintain
4,000 expect 6,000 10 Min. Depart Freq 124.35 Code XXXXX, Switch To
Advisory Contact Departure Airborne.

All is going good then oops My PTT Switch Got Stuck at about 2,500' solid
IFR figured it out got back radios about my expected time to climb, was
asked N7676U how do you read told them had a stuck mike they said ok and to
& Climb Maintain 6,000 turn to Heading XXX Cleared Direct KAST resume Own
Navigation direct to KAST. I broke out on top for a bit at about 5,300' what
a feeling and sight. I Was told so long contact center on XXX.XX was told
continue present heading expect radar vectors to the ILS 26 KAST About 15
min later they were vectoring me around, Told me to hold heading until
established report once established on LOC then switch to advisory return
back to this Frequency to cancel IFR.

Now what a sight to see descending through the clouds, at about 1,400'
started to break out 1,100' with airport clearly right infront of us my
indicator looked like it was a set of sights on a rifle!!! Switched back to
Center and told them have the airport cancel IFR they asked me where I broke
out I told them they said thanks Squawk 1200 good day.

Return from KAST to KVUO

Reporting Clear At KVUO Climbed in the airplane Called and got my Clearance
Cleared to KVUO as Filed they gave me 5 Min to get it in the air and contact
them for an expire time, We departed KAST and was told to climb at max climb
hahahahaha I was struggling to do 600fpm as I was pushing gross. Was In the
clouds at about 1,100' Solid until about 5,000 then patchy in and out. Was a
bit more turbulent on the way back to KVUO than on the way to KAST.

OK Now center has been radar vectoring me all over the place for traffic,
good practice of situational awareness (I Have GPS so I Cheated) they told
me to resume my own navigation direct to BTG VOR contact & Portland Approach
On 124.35 good day, I Contacted Portland told me to fly heading XXX Direct
to BTG VOR Expect 4,000 in 10 Min, Continued I am told to hold and maintain
4,000 Expect 3,000 in 10 min. 5 min later told me descend to 3,000, and told
me I cannot have the approach in to KVUO as KPDX is departing in that
direction gave me many options since it was VFR at KVUP I took vectors to
KVUO, fly heading XXX expect radar vectors to KVUO, report when VFR about 5
min later I was told to descend to 2,000 about 2,300' broke out to VFR.
Reported VFR and Lake Vancouver Insight, Canceled IFR went Direct To KVUO.

All I can say is This Instrument Flying Is the ****!!! Way better than using
Foggles or a Hood and Doing Approaches All Day Long. Being surrounded by
white & grey then seeing that airport pop out at you is a rush beyond
rushes. I am slowly making my IFR flight's further and further. But
progressing at my own comfort level, and as stamina & comfort level builds I
will be going further and further in to the soup. I don't think I will ever
fly many places VFR , IFR is way simpler and a whole lot more fun except for
no music!!!!

Learned a Lot On This Little Trip! Just a few Questions For The Pro's???

Portland Approach Was Calling Out Traffic, Traffic 10:00 3,000' I Responded
Portland We are at 5,000' Solid IFR Unable to See Traffic! Dose This Happen
a Lot While IFR???? Was My Response Correct?

5 Min Clearance Void Time, Dose this Happen a Lot, kinda puts the pressure
on ya!

Dose anyone use any products like Visine ect for their eyes for extended
periods of IFR time?