July 8, 2026 - Fly to Hammonton for Lunch with Mugsy
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| The weather was nice this summer Wednesday so Mugsy and I decided to go flying. We met at Ridgely Airport (shown below). Well, I guess I should be calling it Gooden Airport. But you know how it is; old habits die hard. |
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Another look at Ridgely. There's nothing here, really. The self-service fuel pump has long been closed. Now even the western taxiway is closed because it is in such bad shape. Pilots do fly here for practice and training. There is also a duster operation.
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| We both arrived within minutes of each other. We caught up, then climbed back into our birds. |
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| Heading east towards Delaware Bay. |
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| Feet wet! |
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| Looking down at Bridgeton, NJ. |
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| I've flown around this area many times but this is the first time I've noticed Vineland-Downstown Airport (28N). As you can see, Vineland has a grass runway, but yet it is a public airport and sells avgas. |
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We arrive overhead our destination: Hammonton Airport (N81), home of the Apron Cafe.
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| On final for runway 21. |
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After a delicious lunch at the Apron Cafe, we are back in the air heading west.
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| Approaching Delaware Bay again. |
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| Over the Bay, we turn north and head up the Delaware River. We pass by this little bulk carrier. |
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| Approaching the eastern mouth of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. |
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Starting our turn to fly down the canal.
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Looking west down the canal.
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| There are all sorts of bridges, and wires crossing this canal. |
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An old railway bridge.
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| Looks like it is still operational. |
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| We emerge from the Canal into the Elk River and turn southwest. |
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| This RV Park on the shore of Elk River has been here for as long as I've been flying the area. It's called Buttonwood Beach RV Resort and as you can see has a beach and a pool. |
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Turning and burning down the eastern shore.
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Passing by the Delta.
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This marina has an old derelict PT boat.
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| Close-up. Yep, that's a PT boat! |
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Looking for deer.
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| Back at the ranch. Fun flying day. |
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| The "Ghostcoupe" of Essex Skypark. |
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