October 8-9, 2026 - Maine Foliage Flight
Sky Acres to Millenocket
I took off from Sky Acres and headed northeast.  The plan was to observe foliage from 500 feet all the way to Maine.  But right away I noticed the air had turned bumpy.
   
As in previous trip, north of Sky Acres I started to see color.
   
I was getting bounced around but it was manageable.
   
Passing by Great Barrington (GBR) in Massachusetts.  I landed here along time ago, in the Citabria, on a Maine flight.
   
 
   
Flying by a palace in western Masschusetts.
   
A palace-like Golf Clubhouse overlooks a course in western Massachusetts.
   
Flying by an abandoned mall except for a thriving Target at one end.
   
Somewhere around here I cross into Vermont.
   
I've seen rainbows from the air before but never stretched across in front of me, like this.
   
I know this little asphalt strip.  It's Deerfield Valley Airport (4V8), Vermont.  Lynnette and I flew up here for the weekend in October, 2015:  Link.
   
This is Mount Snow which is a big ski resort, obviously.
   
The little town of Dover at the foot of Mount Snow.
   
I was getting beat to death so I gave up and climbed.  I figured if I could get on top of this broken layer I'd find smooth air.
   
The air was smooth and I also picked up a strong tailwind.  But you can't see the foliage very well from up here. 
 
   
See what I mean?
   
Looking straight down from 7,500 feet.
   
About 100 miles out from my destination, Millenocket, I started descending hoping the turbulence had subsided.
   
Getting lower.
   
Another rainbow appears off my nose.
   
Foliage is looking good.  Although the air still has the occasional bump, it is not nearly as bad as before.
   
This is what I'm talking about!
   
I recognized Central Maine Airport where I landed on a previous trip.  75 nm to Millenocket.
   
500 feet all the way.
   
 
   
Beautiful!
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Maine has lots of lakes.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
And there is Millinocket.  Airport to the right, town to the left.
   

Just like I remember it.

At far left is the closed-down paper mill.  Throughout the 20th century Millinocket's economy was centered on the paper industry and the community prospered.  But the paper company closed in 2008.

At top, just right of center, is Katahdin, Maine's tallest mountain, and the end of the Appalachian Trail.
   

Looking west.

As of the census of 2020, there were 4,104 people living in the town.
   
Now looking southwest.
   
Leave the town and you're in wilderness.
   
Now looking east.
   
Pretty color in town.
   

Still looking east.  Both runways are 4,000 feet or more.

A huge cemetery is just under my left wing.
   
Safe on deck at Millinocket Municipal Airport.  Jeff, the airport manager of 25+ years, helped me get fuel and settled.  Nice guy.
   
The FBO building.  The wood shack at right houses the fuel pump and credit card machine.  Which is also new and also has the "tap-the-credit-card" device.
   
What I like about Millinocket and the airport is that a comfortable and clean motel is a short walk down this road.  Restaurants are also within walking distance.
   
I always stay at the Hotel Terrace.  It's perfect for my needs.
   
It seemed to me Millinocket is on the upswing a little big.  On my previous visits, frankly, the town seemed down, with a lot of closed and/or empty stores.
 
On my walk to the restaurant, I passed this Museum which I think is something new since my last visit three years ago.
   
I remember this building used to be a closed car dealership.  But now a hardware store is operating here.
   
This Cannabis store is new also, but I don't know if I'd call it progress.  Oh, well.
   

I've had breakfast here at the Appalachian Trail Cafe on a previous visit.

I had dinner where I also do when in Millinocket, at the Scootic Inn Restaurant.
   
 
   
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