May 22, 2021 - Essex RVs fly to Cape May

We had fabulous flying weather this weekend.  Today, three Essex RV pilots -- Chuck, Mark and myself -- were meeting Mugsy at Ridgely Airport at 11AM and then from there heading over to Cape May for breakfast (or lunch).

Here I am approaching Ridgely Airport (KRJD). 
   
All four RVs on the ground at Ridgely.
   
Mark's RV-8 on the left and Chuck's RV-7A on the right.
   
I haven't been to Ridgely in a while.  The last times I was here it seemed pretty dead.  The self-service fuel hasn't been available in years.  But the good news is that Skydive Chesapeake has started operations so there were quite a few people and planes about.  Come to Ridgely and jump out of a perfectly good airplane!
 
I have made one jump in my life, back in 2013, and remember it vividly!  That was at Skydive Delmarva -- no longer in business -- down at Laurel Airport.  Check out my skydiving adventure:  Link
   
On this day, none of the jumper airplane pilots were able to make it, so the jumpers were all just standing about on the ground.
   
We departed and headed east.  Here we are just about to head across the Delaware Bay with Cape Henlopen visible to the south.
   
Looking north, Mark about to go feet wet.
   
Cape May dead ahead!
   
About to start out descent.
   
Approaching Cape May airport.
   
After a delicious breakfast/lunch at the Fligth Deck Diner, we did a little funfly up the Jersey Shore.
   
Just inland from the Jersey Shore are some intricate marshes.
   
Now heading south.
   
We went back to Cape May, then jumped across the Delaware Bay to Cape Henlopen.  Now we are heading down the Delaware-Maryland ocean beach.
 
In this picture we are passing by the Fort Miles area just south of Cape May.  Gun batteries were placed here during World War II.  Can you spot the big 16-inch gun in this picture?
   
Zoomed in to give you a better chance of spotting the sixteen inch gun -- same size gun as were on the World War II US battleships.
   
Continuing south past some World War II observation towers.
   
The main part of Ocean City with the boardwalk, Trimpers rides, Thachers French fries ....
   
Looking south down Assategue Island.  We turned around at this point.
   
Looking north back up Ocean City.  I wondered what the deal was with the tent city set up in the big Boardwalk parking lot.
   
Passing by a big waterfront estate near Ocean City.
   
More waterfront houses.
   
Looking down at Seaford and the Nanticoke River as it flows south to Chesapeake Bay.
   
Passing over a little private airstrip.
   
Approaching the entrace to Tuckahoe Creek off the Choptank River.
   
A close look at Chuck's new bird in flight.
   
Following Chuck into Essex Skypark on the Back River.
   
 
   
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