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| Having a pilot's
license opens up a whole world of adventure for you and your family!
You can pile in your significant other and venture off to a Broadway show
in New York City or you can pack the kids and their friends into the back
seat of an airplane and wisk yourselves off to the Jersey Shore as we did
on Sunday, August 22, 2004. Long ago, I discovered the way to make my wife comfortable in little airplanes is to always take her to great destinations . . . like Fifth Avenue in New York City just before Christmas for some last minute shopping - and front row, center, seats at the Met or the latest Broadway show, or to Nantucket or Martha's Vinyard in the fall when the leaves are changing color, or to Newport, Rhode Island to see the biggest mansions in the world, or to Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan to enjoy "high tea" on the 600' long veranda of the Grand Hotel. All of these destination sites are within several hours flying time from Western NY. Yeah, they can get to these locations (well not all of them) either by car or by the "aluminum tube" known as an airliner . . . along with a plane full of total strangers, early checkin and long waits while you are poked and prodded by people in uniforms. The freedom to pilot an airplane and carry your family to far away places and have fun along the way is a rare privilege.. You cannot do this in 95 percent of the other nations around the world! The photos below attempt to capture our quick, one-day round trip to Ocean City, NJ. We lifted off the Buffalo/Niagara Airport at 10am this past Sunday morning (August 22, 2004) in my Cessna 210 and touched down in Ocean City, NJ 1 hour and 52 minutes later. There, we spent the day with our very close friends, Mark & Lyn Weissman and their three kids (and numerous kinfolk). There's lot's photos below - please enjoy! Bob Miller, CFII |
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| As you can see on the aircraft GPS, our route of flight took us from the Buffalo/Niagara Airport south over Wellsville, NY, into Central Pennsylvania, then on into New Jersey over McGuire Air Force Base, then southwest to Atlantic City where we began our final descent into Ocean City. | If you look closely just below the front portion of the radar pod suspended below the right wing, you'll see a nuclear power plant sending up two plumes cloud vapor. This photo was taken just west of Wilkes Barre, PA from 11,000 feet. |
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| Atlantic City can be seen out the left window in the distance as we began our descent into Ocean City Airport. | Ocean City, as seen out our left window, occupies a long, narrow strip of land divided from the mainland by a tranqual bay. We are on the left downwind for Runway 6. You can see the airport runway on the right side of the photo, just a couple of blocks from the beach. |
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| Erica's friend, Ashley (right) can't seem to contain her excitement while my daughter, Erica, catches a few last few minutes of sleep in the rear seat just prior to landing. | We arrived at Ocean City Airport a quick 1 hour and 52 minutes after lifting off from the Buffalo Airport. Our traveling party included, left to right, my wife, Jo, daughter Erica, friend Ashley, and your pilot and narrator, Bob Miller. |
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| The Ocean City Airport is a modest facility with a single runway (6/24) located just a couple of blocks from the beach. There is ample tie-down space in a secure, fenced in area that surrounds the airport. The terminal facilities are clean and comfortable and well staffed with friendly people. A family restuarant adjoining this facility is a favorite eating spot by touists and locals alike. | Our very good friend, Mark Weissman picked us up from the airport and tooks us to their beach front condo for a quick change into bathing suits and a 20 foot walk to te beach. The transition from the chilly 63 degrees in Buffalo to 80 degrees on the Jersey shore was an adjustment - but we endured. |
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| Any parent who has experienced the mulitple personalities of adolescents will appreciate this shot. "Dad, take that camera and put it somewhere," she said. I wonder what she had in mind? Friend, Ashley is amused by this brief verbal exchange. | The ladies basking in the sunshine. Left to right, my wife, Jo, Mark's wife, Lynn, and two of Mark's visiting relatives from New York. Mark & Lynn's four bedroom condo is seen in the background. Ocean front accommodations vary widely in price . . . and the good ones average between $3,000 to $6,000 per week, but remember, you can fit a lot of people in these modern facilities. And they sure beat a one room hotel room. |
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| Hurricane Charley brought a lot of wind and rain earlier in the week, but the weather and surf were picture-perfect during our brief stay. This photo shows Dr. Mark standing along side of Erica (middle) and friend, Ashley (guys, note the scenary in the background). | As you can see from this shot taken from the boardwalk, the beach was lined with umbrellas on this Sundary afternoon (Aug 22). |
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| Speaking of boardwalks, Ocean City, NJ is a high class version of the famed Atlantic City boardwalk which, unfortunately, has succumbed to a lower life form. [Gambling advocates . . . beware!] | Handsome shops, numerous restaurants, and lots snack bars line this three mile long boardwalk. The people are friendly, the place is clean, and it's a wonderful place to bring the kids. The entire Ocean City community is family oriented, again, unlike the Atlantic City boardwalk just 20 miles or so up the coast. |
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| The Ocean City boardwalk runs up and down the beach for miles. An early morning bicycle ride, a mid-day job, or a casual hand-holding walk in the evening is great therapy for both pilots and passengers. | There's something to do for all members of the family at Ocean City. Amusements, rides, food, drink, sun, and surf. It's all there for the taking. |
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| Mark's son, Branden, with Erica taking a trolly aride around the amusement area. | Unlike many amusement areas, Ocean City's is definitely upscale, clean, family oriented and secure . . . and it's affordable, too! |
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| The Weissman's beach front condo. It is literally a home away from home with all of the conveniences one might ever need. | Mark, Mark's daughter, Brianna, and me recoverning from the day's activities. Mark said to me, "You know, Bob, you can start at one end of the boardwalk and eat your way to the other end!" And that's just what we did! |
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Sadly, our day with Mark and
Lynn and their children at Ocean City, NJ came to an end shortly after
dusk. We stopped and had a wonderful dinner just before returning to
the airport for our short ride home. It was a spendid day of sun and fun. And anybody with a pilot's license can do the very same thing . . . whether you own and airplane or you visit your friendly FBO and rent one. Finally, one of the best things about adventures like this is returning and telling your friends about it! Safe flying, Bob Miller, CFII |
| The front side of the Ocean City Airport terminal. This photo was taken as we were getting ready to depart for our return flight to Buffalo. | |
