October 8-9, 2026 - Maine Foliage Flight
W48 to Sky Acres

It's been three years since my last Maine foliage flight.  I knew foliage in Maine was getting close to peak.  Then I received the Maine Foliage Weekly Report for October 7.  The northwest half of Maine was past peak already!  I knew this was the last weekend to see Maine.  But the weather in Maryland would be dismal on Sunday thanks to Hurricane Isaias.  So it had to be go up Friday and come back Saturday.  The little town of Millinocket in central Maine would again be my overnight base.

The weather forecast for Maryland to Maine looks excellent both days:  mostly sunny and warm.
   
I have departed Essex Skypark Friday morning around 9AM and am heading east.  The Delaware River is dead ahead.
   
I see an interesting pattern cut out of the New Jersey Pine Barrens forest.
   
After passing between the Philadelphia Class B and Atlantic City Class B airspace, I fly by Ocean County Airport, New Jersey.  I've never landed here.  It was busy.
   
Then I was on the Jersey Coast, heading north towards the Big Apple.
   
Approaching Sandy Hook.
   
Passing Coney Island.
   
About to pass over the Verrazzano Bridge.
   
Looking out over Brooklyn.
   
A big container ship loaded down heads out to the Atlantic Ocean.
   
Over the Upper Bay, it's always a thrilling sight approaching Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
   
I was surprised to see so many skyscrapers on the Brooklyn side of the East River.
   
A closer look at downtown Brooklyn.
   
Passing by the Lady.
   
What can you say?  Manhattan.
   
I zoomed in on the East River, trying to get a good shot of the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
   
The Freedom Tower -- also known as the One World Trade Center -- reaches for the sky in .Lower Manhattan.  It is the tallest building in the United States, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the seventh-tallest in the world.
   
Many more tall skyscrapers sprout up in Upper Manhattan.
   
Heading up the Hudson.
   
Looking down at the "GWB":  George Washington Bridge.
   
Vertical rock cliffs on the western shore.
   
Approaching theTappan Zee Bridge.
   
 
   
Just east of Poughkeepsie is Sky Acres Airport (44N).  The on-field restaurant -- Hangars Cafe -- is only open Friday through Sunday, 7AM 2PM, but today is Friday so it is open!  I stop for breakfast.
   
We're seeing some foliage here in upstate New York.
   
Sky Acres's FBO building is an old barn and silo.
   
Heading inside for breakfast.
   
I had a delisious Eggs Benedict.
   
The fuel pump had a new credit card kiosk with the first "tap your credit card" device I've ever seen at an airport.
   
 
   
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