Since my recently acquired plane is based in MA it was going to be a two and a half week jaunt around the eastern US.
In another post I had gotten some recommendations for destinations from fellow BCP’ers - thanks again - and I also wanted to visit some friends.
Other than that my itinerary was going to be flexible. Since this was the first time I’d leave the nest I wanted to do it in ‘easy’ vmc conditions and let that requirement largely drive my decision on where to go next.
BTW, my VW is a beautiful (I’m biased, of course…) ’55 C170B.
First stop: ME08, Gadabout Gaddis:
It’s a wonderful spot, perfect for a test run of my camping equipment as there are all backup options available onsite: cabins, restaurant, supermarket across the street, and helpful hands whenever needed. I particularly enjoyed a nice conversation with Jim Murton, owner of the place and a pilot himself.
Big thanks to Bigrenna for insisting on this place as my initial stop, and for invaluable help and effort in getting me and my “VW” ready for the trip - not to forget his competent advice on completing my camping gear.
Using a small weather window on day two I took off for a short hop over to Sugarloaf (B21) and enjoyed the views on the way.
After drying out on day four…
… I fly over to Newport, NH (Parlin Field, 2B3). It is one of the few RAF-strips in the Northeast and was recommended here. Very nice airport, super friendly ‘recycled pilots’, as they call themselves on their website (http://www.recycledpilots.com/ provides various webcam-views of the airport).
Then there was rain on the way again, as well as one of the local pilots (C182 and R44 owner), who came out just to save me from spending a whole day between tent and clubhouse and offered to take me to lunch. He reminded me that this very evening they were having their biweekly ‘grilling and chilling’ in fellow pilot Rick’s hangar and, of course, I was invited.
What else could I have asked for during a rained-out day on a foreign airfield? (see above:…amazing camaraderie…!!)
Once it cleared up I headed for Skaneateles, NY, in the Finger Lakes Region (6B9).
I had hardly filled the tanks and tied the bird down when a couple walks up and asked about the wherabouts of this beautiful Cessna and the accent of her pilot.
Five minutes later she insisted on taking me into town while he was filling up their Piper Dakota for a few practice approaches into neighbouring Canandaigua airport.
Skaneateles is a neat little town with excellent restaurants, well worth the visit - and in case nobody offers you a ride, Uber will take you there for 8 bucks.
After that I took off for a post-frontal flight west to visit my friend John in Waynesville, OH, where Emerson “Cubbie” Stewart and his family run Red Stewart Airfield (40I) and Stewartsaircraft, a shop particulary well known for their work on fabric covered aircraft and taildraggers (what else would earn him his nickname…).
“Cubbie” himself mowing his airfield.
John and I had met many moons ago during a soaring competition and so it was inevitable to spend some time with him in his club (Caesar Creek Gliding Club, 2OH9), which was just hosting a national championship.
After a weather-motivated out and return into central Michigan I turned East again at the southernmost point of my trip, Puckett Gliderport (50M), a nice grass strip in Eagleville,TN.
Now Labor Day Weekend was coming up and (soaring) John had highly recommended - just shy of “forcing” me - to connect again in New Castle, VA (VA85) for the traditional get together at the…
Since weather looked great, and I’m still (by hours, anyway) much more a soaring than a power pilot, I was easily convinced.
It was a wonderful flight along the Appalachians.
The last cumulus to make final glide altitude - oh, now I got the trusty O-300 in front, no worries….
..and then I was there. Plane tied down, tent set up.
“Idyllic” would be an understatement.
Yes, there are some big-tire toys of the local boys at the field.
The village, a 20 min bike ride away (I had a foldable bike with me).
And then it was time to head back home.
Once more above the Appalachians…
…crossing the Hudson…
…and a wonderful trip had come to its end: time to put her back in the hangar.
It was a wonderful experience - and, still surprising to me, a confirmation, that, yes, childhood dreams can come true!
I started a blog about that dream, its realization (and, hopefully, continuation), which includes a lot of the back stage events, inevitable doubts, misguided deviations and miraculous coincidences, but I’m still too far behind to publish a link.
A TR for BCP, however, was always an immediate goal. After all, for me BCP.org was - and is - a prime source for information and inspiration and has kept me more than once from giving up.
