Finally, a day filled with superb visibility, smooth air and great company since my wife joined Dad and I this time. It was Saturday, March 31, 2007 that we took to the air, first heading north. Our plans were to fly west, but because of the ominous weather in that direction, we decided to head towards lower NY state. As we flew further north, the skies looked brighter towards the west, so I put the plane on course towards Towanda, PA, due west of Scranton. Bradford County airport was our first destination, just south of town.
While flying due west from northern NJ, we took note of the Delaware Water Gap and the large reservoir that is perched high on the ridge, overlooking Blairstown, NJ to the east and East Stroudsburg, PA to the west. East Stroudsburg airport was soon approaching, as was Camelback ski resort in the distance and to the south of our course. Our next major landmark was the populous valley of Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, PA. We flew just to the north of the international airport located in this valley, and I took this opportunity to shoot some photos which I will someday post to Flyin Phil's Photos, as well as many other photos that I shot that day. Continuing, we passed just south of the small town of Tunkhannock, PA and the little airport that sits directly behind the shopping center and adjacent to a mobile home park. The runway is only 2,000 feet, but at least it is paved. Again, I snapped a few pictures of this field as we continued on towards our destination.
The hills, endless fields and rather rugged terrain was phenomenal, and my wife and I recalled our drive last summer along the road towards Towanda as we made our way towards Erie, PA. Soon, in the distance, we could see the Bradford County airport. I was flying at an altitude of about 4,500 feet, so I figured I would shoot some aerial photos of the airport, then circle the town while I descended. This worked-out well, and I set-up the plane in a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 05 (50 degree heading). The approach was scenic, and my wife was shooting video for my website as well. After a smooth and uneventful landing, we taxied to the main ramp, parked and shut down the engine. The office/pilot lounge there was business-like, clean and comfortable. We took a short rest, taxied the plane to the fuel depot, filled the tanks, then took-off, heading south this time.
Danville, PA was our next destination, and the little airport that resides just west of the town. This course took us over terrain we had never flown over before, and was quite the spectacle. Rugged, mountainous terrain interlaced with roads that snaked all around the valleys of these mountains. There was little in the way of population, though that was a good thing. My wife and I took this opportunity to shoot many photos of this naturally beautiful area of eastern PA. Within 15 or so minutes, we were just east of Williamsport, PA, and noticed a thick, greenish smog lying in the valley to the west of our course. Dad and I remember this sight from a previous flight a few years back. Crossing I-80, Danville was soon ahead of us as my wife shot some more video of the pretty views that we were treated to. After landing at the airport here, I taxied to the parking ramp and shutdown the engine. Nothing spectacular here, though rather quaint with a feeling like you've stepped back in time to the early days of flying (aside from the modern aircraft in the large hangar adjacent to the office).
After a restroom break and a stretch, we were back in the air, this time heading for Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA. This would be our second time over-flying this quaint, little park for some photo-ops. I particularly wanted to photograph their three roller-coasters; the Phoenix, Twister and the newest edition to their collection, the Flying Turns (similar to a bobsled track). Continuing further to the east, we took note of 4 radar domes that provided me with a great photo-op. By now we were getting hungry and ready to eat our lunch which we always bring with us. I landed at nearby Hazleton airport and we enjoyed our sandwiches, the friendliness in the pilot lounge and the parachuting activities after lunch at this airport atop a hill, just north of the town. Upon taking-off, I flew a slight turn to the right to avoid over-flying a large Wal-Mart and strip mall just off of the west end of Hazleton's runway. After climbing and levelling out at about 3,000 feet, I suggested flying to Jake Arner Memorial airport, just west of Lehighton, PA. The last time Dad and I were there was with our motorized bikes in the back of the plane, but that's a whole other story which I will someday add to my website.
After a quick landing at this small airport near historic Jim Thorpe, we decided enough was enough. I quickly took-off without shutting down the engine and we headed southeast. I flew through the gap in the Appalacian ridge just north of Slatington and south of Lehighton, where a river runs through and the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension tunnels its way through as well. This course also took us over Nazareth and Bath, PA, and I took note of the now CLOSED Nazareth Speedway which is in the process of being demolished. Large rock quarries, cement plants and other factories were in the nearby Easton area which I photographed as well. Soon, we were crossing the town of Easton and the many auto and rail-road bridges that traverse the Delaware river in this congested area of eastern PA.
Finally, back to NJ and just north of Milford, we could spot our home-base airport up ahead. I entered the pattern and made a downwind landing (usually, not the best choice), though it worked-out well as the gas pumps were at the far end from where I touched down. Fuel prices are still rather inexpensive at $3.30 per gallon, but expected to rise as the next load of fuel arrives. Taxiing into our tie-down spot was our last destination, and we were all reflecting on what a memorable day we were treated to, thanks to Pennsylvania's rugged, mountainous terrain and endless fields. We only hope that our next flight will be this much fun....See you after the next journey !!!
