July 14, 2012 - Maine Weekend Getaway

A month ago the weather had prevented Lynnette and I from a planned weekend flight to Brunswick, Maine.  So we went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina instead (and it was great).  The weather forecast looked reasonably good for this weekend, however, so we headed north in the RV.   The weather along the way wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.  It was hazy, as you can see.   That is the big McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.  Big C-17s cargo planes and KC-10 tankers are visible on the ramp. 
 
Naval Air Station Lakehurst.  I've never seen it before.  Check out those big blimp hangars.  This is the scene of the the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. 
 
Heading north, it is obligatory to fly by Manhatten up the Hudson River at 1000 feet.   Lynnette wanted to see the sights, even though she normally doesn't like to fly low and sight-see.  Here we are passing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
 
Passing Central Park.
 
We stopped at Sky Acres Airport (44N) in Millbrook, NY for breakfast at the Perfect Landing Cafe.  My landing wasn't perfect, but they served us anyways.  Recommended. 
 

Just a little north of Sky Acres was Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (NY94).  This one has been on my bucket list for many years.   I'll have to fly up someday and see their show. 

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has one of the world's greatest collections of flying pioneer, WW-I, and Lindbergh era airplanes, including a Fokker Triplane. Started by Cole Palen over a half century ago, it lives on as a volunteer run not-for-profit aerodrome, museum, air show and provider of thrilling biplane rides.

 
A hazy shot of Alton Bay, New Hampshire, another item on my bucket list.  Alton Bay freezes up in the winter and they make a public airstrip on the ice (B18).  However, it is only useable a few weekends a year.  A bunch of us were all set to go this year but the ice had too much standing water on it so we had to cancel. 
 
Short final for the 8000 foot runway One Right at the airport formerly known as Brunswick Naval Air Station.   I had landed on this runway many times in the back of a P-3 Orion back in the mid-80s, when I was a junior officer in Patrol Squadron 26.   The Naval Air Station was closed a year ago, and now it is a public airport called Brunswick Executive Airport.   It was kind of neat landing my own plane on this runway as pilot in command.   In the Navy, I was an NFO, not a pilot.  Yeah, I was Goose. 
 
This big hangar is where I started my working life.  I remember well my first day, checking into the squadron at this building, and learning the next three years to be a Naval Officer.    In those days, the ramp was filled with P-3s.  Two squadrons shared the hangar.   Now it is deserted.
 
The old tower.  I noticed a much taller, and obviously new tower, on the other side of the runway.  Build a new tower, then close the base.  Our tax payer dollars at work. 
 
They have a nice FBO operation here.   There is a golf cart to transport your luggage.   The white styrofoam ice chest is for lobster.  I had arranged for a rental car which was sitting outside the hangar, ready to go, very convenient.  The FBO does have a courtesy car but obviously you can't expect to use it for an entire weekend.
 
My squadron was located in this hangar as well for an at-home cycle.  But I remember that hangar as being old.  It turns out that in 1995 they tore it down and built the new one pictured here.  At least this one is getting some use. 
 
This P-3 on static display is the only one left at Brunswick.   In the early 80s, there were six P-3 squadrons stationed here, with nine planes in each squadron.  Plus the Patrol Wing staff.  Those were the glory days of  Maritime Patrol aviation.
 
The P-3 Simulator building where I spent many hours.  Every time there was a crisis, my favorite Department Head would always yell, "Man the Trainer!" 
 
Brunswick wasn't a large base.  It didn't take long to cruise by all the old buildings:  Exchange, ASW Command Center (ASWOC), BOQ, Base Headquarters, Medical Clinic:  all abandoned.  The Officers Club isn't even there anymore.   The entire base was pretty much a ghost town. 
 
Sign at the front gate.
 
Our first house; well, condo.  We bought it new back in 1984.  Sold it long ago, of course.  It still looks pretty good. 
 
Before the condo, we lived in this base housing. 
 
No trip to Maine is complete without a visit to the famous L.L. Beans down in Freeport.  It used to be a single store building; it's now a big campus, with four separate store buildings.  The place was packed with shoppers/tourists.
 
 
Some lady in Maine found the remains of two big Bull Mooses with their antlers locked together.  Taxidermists recreated the scene, using the actual antlers which were never separated. 
 
We enjoyed lunch across the street in a microbrewery.  Despite the fact that we were in Maine, it was actually quite warm: low 90s.  Here is Lynnette enjoying a cold brew decked out in her Women Fly shirt and glider earings.
 
The view of L.L. Bean from the microbrewery across the street. 
 
We headed north, back through Brunswick, through Bath and Wiscasset to Boothbay Harbor, a scenic little town on the water.  It was kind of a tourist trap but its still nice to do that once in a while.  A lot of people were walking around, strolling through the gift stores, buying ice cream and just enjoying the pleasant evening.
 
There were numerous bar/restaurants on the water with views like this. 
 
Enjoying a nice dinner watching the sunset over the harbor.
 
The next morning we headed East from Brunswick towards the Ocean.  We were looking for Quahogs's, where Lynnette used to buy lobsters 26 years ago.   It's still there and we managed to find it. 
 
The view from Quahog's dock looking west.  
 
Check out the lobster pots.
 
We bought eight lobster weighing ten pounds for forty bucks.  Not bad!
 
The weather this Sunday morning was superb:  clear blue skies, warm, great visibility.  The Maine coastline scenery was stunning. 
 
 
 
 
We drove through Orr and Baily islands to Land's End. 
 
Looking East to the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Nice pose!
 
A little beach area convenient for kayakers.
 
We drove back west to Brunswick, north to Bath, then east to Popham Beach State Park.  I honestly don't recall ever coming here during the three years we lived here.  
 

I don't imagine Mainers get too many days like this -- perfect for the beach -- and they took full advantage.  There were lots of people enjoying the beach. 

Because of the low tide, we were able to walk out to an island and climb on the rocks.

 
 
 
 
Looking back at the main beach area. 
 
Then it was time to start the journey home.  We drove back to the Brunswick airport.   Here Lynnette is standing by the FBO office inside the big, new hangar.
 
This BD-5 jet was inside the hangar.   It was going to be test flown today.  It hasn't flown since 1977!  The pilot/owner trailered it here for the test flight because he wanted the 8000 foot runway.  I don't blame him. 
 
Lynnette ready to do some aviating.
 
The RV gets off the ground in 300 feet or so.   It was fun flying the rest of way down the 8000 foot runway about 50 feet off the ground. 
 
 
We flew east out to Land's End but the sky had turned misty since morning so we turned southwest and started climbing, heading for home.
 
We had to divert slightly to avoid some weather to the west.   
 
But it cleared up nicely around Philly.  Here we are crossing the Susquehanna River.  Havre De Grace is in the center right of the image.
 
We drove straight to Lucy's house with the lobster.
 

Eight lobster, ready to eat!  Even Bradley the cat got a little piece of lobster -- which he wouldn't eat until it was dipped in butter.  He knows what's good. 

Another fun weekend adventure, made possible by the RV.

 
 
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