November 7, 2024 - Barrier Islands

This stretch of ridiculously great flying weather we've had continues, so I decided to take advantage of it and hit one of my favorite flying spots:  the Barrier Islands at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula.

Here I'm crossing the Bay looking south at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
   
Over on Kent Island, I was startled to see this huge new development.  There used to be a little public airport down there -- Castle Marina Airport (0W6), having a single unpaved 2,700' Runway 18/36, only 20 feet wide, built between 1963-64, at some point before 1972 it was paved.  Castle Marina Airport was closed at some point between 1993-98, probably just before I started flying in this area, so I never saw the airport, much less landed on it.
   
Another development just north of Highway 50.
   
 Looking down at a very nice waterfront estate.
   
Heading across the eastern side of the Blackwater Marsh.
   
Getting the sun over your shoulder really makes a difference.
   
 
   
 
   
Approaching the Nanticoke River.
   
Looking south down the Nanticoke.
   
I continue southeast.
   
I turn northeast up the Wicomico River.
   
Heading up the Wicomico.
   
The Wicomico goes all the way to Salisbury, but I'm going to pull up short, after I see a horse farm that I like to fly over.
   
There's the horse farm!
   
Somewhere to the south I pass over this secluded little house.
   
A sailboat that didn't make it.
   
Briefly, I follow Highway 13, which goes to the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula and turns into the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
   
Passing by a little private grass strip.  Must be nice!
   
Crossing Metompkin Bay to hit the Barrier Island beaches.
   
Looking south at the Barrier Islands.
   
Almost there.
   
Cruising past the old Coast Guard station on Cedar Island.
   
Cruising down the beach.
   
There are a few structures on the Barrier Islands.
   
The typical Barrier Island scene.
   
This time of year -- completely deserted.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Another sailboat that lost its way.
   
 
   
Sandbar!  A good spot for boaters in the summer.
   

One island on the chart and also on Google Maps -- Cobb Island -- is completely gone.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
A good look at the Cape Charles Lighthouse.
   
Just to the west of Cape Charles Lighthouse is Mockhorn Island and the ruins of a private residence.
   
I turn around and head back north.  I fly over the inland marshes for a bit.
   
Crazy patterns.
   
A private fishing cabin in the middle of nowhere.
   
Back on the beach, with the sun behind me this time.
   
 
   
 
   
Too bad I have little 5" wheels.  I know a guy who has Tundra Tires on his Maule -- I'd land here in a heartbeat with those!
   
Passing by an observation tower.
   
Another outpost of some kind.
   
But mostly .... nothing.
   
Perhaps the remnants of a Hunting and Fishing Club Building of the sort that used to be on the Barrier Islands in the early 1900s.
   
 
   
Looking west at the mainland.
   
A structure out in the water off Cedar Island.  In the 90's, people were sold lots on Cedar Island and 27 houses were actually built.  The owners had spectacular views facing the ocean!  But within two decades, only two homes and the former Coast Guard station remained on the island, the others falling victim to the rapid migration of the sand.  The pilings that once supported structures but were now on submerged land are a hazard to navigation.  I remember seeing them when I first started flying the Barrier Islands.
   
Flashback!  I took this shot back in September 2009 -- the RV-7's first year.
   
Flashback!  I took this shot of a dead whale on the beach from the Citabria back in May 2007.
   
Continuing north up the Cedar Island beach.
   
Heading home, flying across the Blackwater Marsh.
   
 
   
 
   
Checking out what used to be Horn Point grass strip.
   
Still a little color left in the bright late afternoon sun.
   
I liked the oak-lined entrance to this estate.
   
Some nice waterfront property on the eastern shore.
   
 
   
 
   
Oxford, on the east side of the Tred Avon River, south of St. Michaels and Easton.  A ferry runs across the Tred Avon to Bellevue.
   
A closer look at Oxford.
   
The ferry is just left of center.  Lynnette, my Mom and I came across the ferry a few years ago.
   
The ferry landing on the other side in Bellevue.
   
An estate where the yachts have more square footage than the house!
   
 
   
A medieval castle-looking estate.
   
 
   
 
   
No estate, just pretty scenery.
   
 
   
A big estate house nestled on the bend in the river.
   
Another oak-lined avenue leading to the mansion.
   
Queenstown Harbor Golf Course.
   
 
   
A two-hour flight today that seemed like 20 minutes.
   
 
   
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