January 10, 2025 - Fly to Shannon, VA for Lunch

As you can see, it had snowed earlier in the week, maybe seven inches.  But four days later, the runway, taxiways and ramp were clear (mostly).  It was still cold, low 30s, but the Essex Skypark RV Flyers were ready to go flying over the snow.

Flying on this cold January day were myself, Chuck and Brian.  This would be my first flight of the new year.
   
Chuck ready to go.
   
The Back River starting to fill up with ice.
   
A make-shift icebreaker -- actually, a barge being pushed by a tow, with a back-hoe swishing back and forth up front -- clears a path up the Back River.
   

Something not seen very often:  Essex Skypark covered in snow.
   
Looking east out over the Chesapeake Bay.
   
Looking down at the area I like to walk Gunnar.
   
 
   
Brian joins up off my left wing.
   
Chuck has the lead.  He likes to let his autopilot fly the plane, and Brian and I just fly off him.
   
Heading south.  Our destination today:  Shannon Airport, near Fredericksburg, Virginia.  They have an on-field restaurant where we can have lunch.  We have to fly around the SFRA to get to it so it's about a 45 minute flight.
   
Looking down at a snow-covered Kent Island.
   
The air is cold but very smooth.
   
 
   
 
   
With the autopilot flying the plane, Chuck was able to take these nice pictures.
   
 
   
Having just passed St. Mary's Airport, we are crossing the big Potomac River.
   
Now we are running parallel to the Rappahannock River which leads to Fredericksburg.
   
Looking north at the big bend in the Potomac River.  Washington D.C. is in the distance.  But so is the SFRA; can't fly in there.
   
Almost there.
   
And there is Shannon Airport (KEZF).
   
A better look as I fly the crosswind leg for runway 6.
   
Safe on deck at Shannon.
   
I have been here once before.  I don't remember when though.  They didn't have this nicely polished DC-3 then, I know that.  There is an Air Museum here now that wasn't here before.
   
Having lunch in the Robin's Nest Cafe.  I do remember this from before.
   
Also in the building, the FBO Office.  I remember they had a little Civil War museum in the rooms at left -- Fredericksburg was the site of a major Civil War Battle -- but that is gone.  Maybe it is now in the Air Museum.
   

I liked all the aviation decorations.
   

Adjoining to the Cafe was a well-stocked pilot shop.  I ended up buying a couple of cases of oil since I have to change it soon.
   
Taking off at Shannon.
   
Back on the Rappahannock River, opposite direction.  It's a windy river, isn't it?
   
 
   
Crossing the Potomac River.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Chuck blows smoke over the Bay.
   
Passing by the big Patuxent Naval Air Station.
   
Looking down at Bromo's old vacation house on Tilghman Island.
   
Even though Bay Bridge Airport's runway is plowed, the airport is closed because of the snow.
   
Following Brian's RV-8 over the ice-covered Back River.
   
Waterfront houses on the Back River.
   
You can really see the icebreaker's path in this picture.
   
 
   
Looking down at snowy Essex Skypark from 500 feet.
   
On a long final for runway 34.
   
It was a little cold today but I enjoyed getting out and doing some flying.  It was fun to fly over the snow and ice; something different.
   
 
   
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