November 29, 2025 - Funfly Eastern Shore
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The weather was perfect for flying on this day in late November so I decided to take the Super Decathlon up for a spin. I haven't flown in a few weeks so I headed over to Sparrows Point to check out the progress, or lack of it, on the Key Bridge.
I'm over Sparrows Point now, looking northwest at Baltimore. As you can see, visibility is excellent.
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No change from my last observation a month ago. They are still driving in pilings; I can hear it on the ground at Essex Skypark.
But there is news! Bad news. The anticipated open-to-traffic date is now late 2030! What the heck! The bridge went down on March 26, 2024. At the time we were told that it would take $2 Billion and four years to rebuild the bridge. Almost two years later, we're being told it won't be rebuilt for another five years!!!
And the cost is now $4.3-$5.2 billion. More than double what we were initially told. The bridge cost $60 million to construct in 1977 (about $311 million in 2024 dollars). Why $5 Billion now? Who the heck knows? This is Maryland; I'm sure waste, fraud and abuse is a big part of the 5 billion.
But rest assured, the Maryland Governor and Transportation Authority "remain committed to rebuilding as safely, quickly and cost effectively as possible.” Well, isn't that comforting.
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| What a debacle. |
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| I fly around North Point. |
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Even in winter it looks pretty.
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I cross the Chesapeake Bay over to the Eastern Shore, north of the Chester River.
Looking north up Fairlee Farm Lane and Fairlee Creek.
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The Great Oak Marina looks pretty deserted. Most of the boats are out of the water and shrink-wrapped.
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| Cruising over a big farm field at 500 feet. |
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Looking down at a private grass airstrip.
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| I spot a herd of deer out in th emiddle of a field. |
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| Deer close-up. |
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| Just southeast of Essex Skypark is Rocky Point Gold Course. They are building a brand new Club House. |
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The Super Decathlon looking pretty in the winter sun.
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| Flashback! Four years ago Dave had this RV-4 based at Essex Skypark. |
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| Dave decided to strip the RV-4 in preparation for a new paint job. Despite the stripped paint it was still airworthy and two years ago he flew it to Gettysburg for a pancake breakfast. I told him he should fly the RV-4 to Oshkosh exactly as is and park it in the front row of Homebuilt Parking! |
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Well, now look at the RV-4! Nick now owns it and it has just returned to Essex Skypark with a brand new paint job.
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| What a difference a paint job makes! |
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| The RV-4 looks great now. |
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| The majesty of Essex Skypark. |
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