October 10, 2015 - West Dover, Vermont

Lynnette and I had bookmarked this weekend for a getaway some time ago.  We had a number of possible destinations but finally decided on southern Vermont because of weather and foliage.

Specifically we decided to fly to West Dover Airport, Vermont  to stay at the nearby Inn at Mount Snow.  From the foliage reports, I knew that the color should be close to peak.  Friday was rainy in Maryland so we left on Saturday and came back Monday.
   
Lynnette ready to board the airplane at Essex Skypark.  The weather conditions were excellent.
   
Visibility was really good.   Philadelphia was clearly visible off our left wing.  Most of the time when I fly this route I can't even see the city.   Soon afterwards, we stopped at South Jersey airport to get fuel and have a nice breakfast at their on-field restaurant.
   
The New Jersey turnpike points like an arrow towards New York City.
   
Of course, when heading northeast, it is obligatory to fly the Hudson River corridor.   Approaching the Verrazono Bridge and New York harbor.
   
That's Coney Island off the right wing.
   
New York Harbor.
   
Passing the Lady.
   
This is the first time I've seen the finished One World Trade Center.  It is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, and the fifth-tallest in the world.
   
Flying alongside Manhatten is always an overwhelming experience.
   
Yankee Stadium.
   
It was hazy up high.  But we are about to descend to our destination.
   
As you can see, the view gets better down low.  That's Deerfield Valley Regional (4V8) Airport at West Dover, Vermont ahead.  The foliage reports were right; the color is about as good as it gets.
   
I made a quick aerial tour of the valley and located the Inn where we would be staying.  That's it, down below.
   
The runway and ramp were in excellent condition.  There were tie-down rings but no ropes or chains.  I had brought my own though so it wasn't a problem.  I did have to hammer tie-down stakes into the grass to have a place to tie my tailwheel to.
   
This looks like a nice FBO-building but when I walked inside, I discovered that it is the accounting office for a local real-estate company!  But they were friendly and used to pilots walking in.
 
There was a notice on the wall asking pilots to call a number and check in.  I did so and found out there was a landing and overnight fees.  Oh well, gotta pay to play.
   

We took a cab from the airport to the Inn which was only a few miles away.  This is the view from our room!

Yes, those are ski slopes on that mountain.  It turns out that West Dover is a ski-resort town.  A big ski lodge can be seen to the right.
   
The view across the small lake behind the Inn.
   
Colorful trees right next to the Inn.
   
Another look at Mount Snow, the lake, and the ski resort.
   
Her name is Edith Ann.
   
You could take the chairlift to the top of Mount Snow.  We did and were rewarded with some of the prettiest color we saw the entire weekend.
   
Enjoying the autumn splendor.  We were a little concerned about falling out of the chairlift until Lynnette figured out there was a rail bar we could lower.
   
The view from the top looking north at Somerset Reservoir was stunning.
   
Yep, gotta check this out tomorrow in the plane!
   
Heading back down.
   
 
 
   
We spent Sunday hiking around.
   
 
   
 
   
In the woods, the ground was carpeted with red leaves.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
There were thousands of apples underneath those big apple trees.
   
We left around noon on Monday.  I went for a short foliage flight on my own before loading the plane up with baggage.    Here I am taxiing for takeoff.
   
 
Passing by Mount Snow and the ski slopes.
   
Checking out Somerset Reservoir from the plane.  Simply beautiful.
   
 
 
   
Other than a few canoeists, there was nothing but nature.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Cruising by the top of Mount Snow, where we rode up to on the chairlift yesterday.
   
I landed back at the airport, picked up Lynnette and the luggage, and soon we were cruising home at 8,500 feet.  Here we are passing the Hudson River to the north of New York City.  The trip home took almost exactly two hours.  Not bad.  Fun weekend.
   
   
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