Mid-winter flight to Lake Ontario

A beautiful mid-winter day. After an unseasonably cold first half of the winter, things have moderated  quite a bit. Our snow melted with heavy rain and 60+ degree weather a couple weeks back and since then there hasn't been too much on the ground. So, with a bit of a thaw we are able to fly!

Originally I was planning to fly to Watertown, NY to check out the ice on Lake Ontario, but as I approached the lake skies were hazy to the north along the eastern shore. Not very good for photography. Also, I discovered the ice was gone! So instead of going north along the lake, I flew west to Fair Haven then south to Skaneateles where I made a fuel stop.

 Phoenix, NY

Nine Mile Point on Lake Ontario

Oswego, NY

Sterling Creek to Fair Haven

Fair Haven

Weedsport

Ice Fisherman on the north end of Otisco Lake

East Hill School and ski hill in Camillus

Morning Fog and Apple Blossom Festival Breakfast

Checking the weather before heading to bed the night before there was morning fog in the forecast. As long as it wasn't too widespread this would make for some interesting scenes as we departed Marcellus for a breakfast at Williamson-Sodus Sunday morning. 

I woke to a call from my dad that he wouldn't be able to join me for the flight. At first I considered staying in bed a bit longer, then I remembered the fog and was out the front door within 15 minutes. Coffee from the Express Mart as I pass though the village and I'm good to go...

The skies were mostly sunny but there were clouds to the south and some visible moisture in the lower atmosphere. 

Climbing out of Marcellus right off I could see Skaneateles Lake looked different. As I turned southwest and gained altitude I found the lake covered by a thin layer of ground fog.

Skaneateles Lake

Otisco Lake

After circling over the lakes for a bit I start thinking of where to go.  Over the radio I could hear almost constant transmissions from pilots landing and taking off at Williamson-Sodus. I'm already in the air and it is only 20 minutes away. I've got to go visit.

Even with all the traffic the timing was right so that I was able to fit right into the downwind leg for landing #3 behind a Bonanza and a Cessna.

 Our Cessna at Williamson-Sodus

The sign on the palm tree says:

"Margaritaville, It's 5:00 somewhere"

Cooking for hundreds...

A long, long line on this beautiful morning. I just grabbed some coffee and was happy with that.

Rides were offered in both the departing helicopter and the Piper on the right

A beautifully finished Challenger II owned by John Bailey

Willismson-Sodus Airport. As I was leaving the line still stretched for hundreds of feet.

Nine Mile Point in the distance appears to still be in the fog

The air was smooth as glass all morning and into mid day. Perfect flying weather!

And this is how I like to fly. Arm out the window. 

The open window has a speed limit of 100 mph. That's okay, as I am happy cruising along at 85-90.

(rather than spending time in Photoshop correcting my receding hairline, I just cropped off the top of my head!)

Cross Lake, Lake Ontario in the distance

Recent Photos

As 2014 winds down we have been blessed with mild temperatures and very little snow here in Central New York. Unlike our neighbors to the north in the snow belt to the east of Lake Ontario and also west of Buffalo as of Jan 5th we are still mostly snow free enabling me to get up for some end of season flying in the Cessna.

High pressure on Dec 26th brought us sunny skies though there was some haze in the air.

Syracuse, NY from the south at 5,500'

Looking west across 5 of the 11 Finger Lakes.

A flock of Snow Geese were disturbed as I passed Skaneateles Lake. 

As I moved away they settled back down onto the water.

Skaneateles Airport and Skaneateles Lake beyond.

On Dec 30th we had a couple inches of snow. Temperatures were in the low 20's with light NW winds at the surface.

I flew west past Skaneateles towards the next area of clouds and snow moving in from the west.

Auburn, NY with sunlight reflecting off Cayuga Lake and snow showers beyond.

Sun rays reflecting of Owasco Lake south of Auburn.

Looking south over Otisco and Skaneateles Lakes.

Otisco Lake 

 Marcellus Airport with my airplanes' tracks from the hangar to the sky...

2013 Rose Fly-in - EAA Chapter 1017

For almost 20 years Chapter 1017 has had a fly-in at Rose airport about 5 miles south of Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario.

It is a relatively small event attended by club members and a few visitors who fly in and camp for the weekend. I didn't camp but flew up from Marcellus on each of the three days during the event. Not that I need an excuse, but it is a great excuse for some flying.

The atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing visit with other club members and meeting with visitors. There is a camping area under a grove of trees with plenty of room for RVs or tents. Water and bathroom facilities are available on-site as well as picnic tables under a tent for visiting or eating. Breakfast, lunch and dinners are prepared on request and priced very reasonably.

After months of rain, the weather pattern changed leading up to the event giving us pretty good conditions right through the weekend. Winds were fairly light and high clouds Friday and Saturday limited the sun's heating making afternoon temperatures tolerable and cutting off thermals for very smooth flying.

(Click on images for full resolution)

The town of Rose with the airport in the background Friday afternoon.

Shortly after my arrival, Gerd, Bill and Guy arrived. This was Guy's first X/C in a Challenger and as you can see he is pretty happy.

Four Challengers in a row! 

We are fortunate as there are 5 Challengers based at Marcellus

Charlie Tyler checking out my re-drive.

Murphy Rebel

Another nice way to cool off...

Saturday's Flight

On the way to Rose I made a brief diversion to circle over the site of a wedding later in the afternoon on the shore of Otisco Lake. My partner in a Cessna is also the Town Justice of Marietta and she was performing the ceremony

Michael, who is also a Challenger owner came along for the ride. Skaneateles Lake is in the background

A group of kayakers on the Seneca River near Howland Island Wildlife Area

A nice turnout as we arrive on Saturday afternoon

Camping out of an Aeronca Champ

Downloading navigational software

Time for stories and jokes along the flight line...

Campground panorama

Sharon has spotted someone...

Dinner time. 

Here our chef is preparing a couple "Charlie Tyler Double Trouble Burgers"

Demonstrating XWing Pro

Flying home. Smooth as glass!

Sunday

Youngster getting a ride in a trike.

CGS Hawk flying north.

On the way out I took the long way back and flew north for a bit along Sodus Bay and over Chimney Bluffs State Park before turning southeast and continuing my climb into much cooler air above the clouds.

Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario

Chimney Bluffs State Park

Cool and smooth above the clouds for the ride back.

A very nice weekend. Thank you to all the members of EAA 1017 for all your hard work making this annual even happen!