We departed AOO around noon for our mini-vacation to Ithaca, New York.  It was Eddie's (our 4 month old Australian Shepard, named after Eddie Rickenbacker) first round trip!  Eddie was clueless, yet joyful, and followed his big brother Howie (our 2 1/2 yr. old Australian Shepard, named after Howard Hughes) into the back of 19Y.  The engines started.  Eyes widened. The plane hit turbulence.  Body shaking.  Worse turbulence.  Time to breach the cockpit.  Wisely, I had propped a baby gate to keep Eddie out of the cockpit.  Howard was asleep before the second engine fired up.   Retreating to the luggage pile, Eddie nervously played the hand he was dealt. 

We taxied to Taughannock Aviation and were greeted by a friendly and competent crew.  The ground crew allowed us to pull directly up to 19Y for baggage unloading.   The fee for parking the plane is $5-$20 a night depending on your size.  

 We drove a brief 8 miles to Fire Light Camps.  The camps are nestled behind John Thomas, a local fine dining steak house and La Tourelle, a lovely hotel, bistro, and spa.  Once settled into our adorable tent, trimmed with Hemingway style décor, we grabbed our gear and headed for Buttermilk Falls.    

Our attention was captivated immediately by the beautiful waterfalls.  The hike, which was 7 miles roundtrip from our campsite, contained scenic picnic areas, building style restrooms, and semi-functional water fountains along the way.    Due to the holiday (Memorial Day), - the trails were predictably congested.  There were several steep and deep gorges slick from the mist of the water.  Not exactly the hike we desired Eddie to  display his Alaskan dogsled pulling abilities.  Yanked, tugged, and pulled down the gorge.  Here's a tip. Stick to the trails.  Poison ivy and spider nests blotch the wooded areas adjacent to the trails.  Trust me on that one.  And don't forget proper footwear, H2O, and bug spray.   

Eddie pulled us home and it was time to hit the showers before mingling with the other guests.  The Bath House (filled with towels, wash cloths, body wash, shampoo, conditioner and other amenities), was a refreshing and pleasant experience.  This is where camping morphs into "glamping".  Worth it! 

We entered the Lounge Tent for local wine, cheese and crackers, and good conversation. We took a table near the campfire.  Howie worked the bar, Eddie played corn hole.  Dog friendly is an understatement.  The campers frequently ignored our attempted pleas of maintaining canine etiquette and discipline.  Cool.    

So, you know when strangers meet and you have awkward quiet moments?  Nada.  Camp fires, corn hole, bocci ball, playing cards, numerous board games, books and even a record player kept everyone entertained.    Still not impressed?  You can sign up for yoga, held daily at 7:30am (bring your own mat or make sure you tell them you need one when you sign up the evening before).  

We started off the following morning in the Lounge Tent where they were serving a healthy, buffet style breakfast.  Try the local granola.

After fueling up, we made plans to explore Ithaca and the Cayuga Lake Wine Region.  We walked through Ithaca Commons downtown, a mere 4 miles from Fire Light.  Ithaca Commons is a main street of sorts with small shops, restaurants, and bars.  From downtown, we walked to Cornell University.  Its a pretty campus with its own hiking trail and a fantastic waterfall. Unfortunately, the entirety of the trail was temporarily closed.  Still, we got to see the waterfall, providing for a good photo op.    

After a good stretch of the legs, we decided to quench our thirst at one of Lake Cayuga's wineries. We visited Americana Winery.  Picture a quaint old barn set atop a lush green vineyard.  Following a quick presentation of their wine list, we sampled a chosen few and Ben proceeded with a beer tasting.  Howie and Eddie played with the resident dogs.  If you're hungry, Americana has a café that serves lunch.  With a case of wine in the trunk, we drove back to town for lunch on the patio at Viva Taqueria and Cantina.  Excellent food with service to match.  The waitress brought a bowl of water for the dogs.  

The weather gods were not kind this trip.  Sporadic showers took a toll on our morale.  Soooo,  we did what any normal couple in wine country would do; enjoyed several bottles of local wine in our tent.  And in the Lounge Tent.  And wherever else it was dry.   

That evening, Fire Light Camps had live music in the Lounge Tent and a local chef cooking up gourmet omelets and grilled cheese.  Unaware of the chef, we ordered take out from John Thomas steak house.  It wasn't the worst mistake we've ever made.  It was delicious.   Stepping up the glamping game here is not difficult.  One could easily book a spa treatment at August Moon Spa, which was 100 yards from our tent. 

With early duties in Pennsylvania on the horizon, we hit the sack.   The FBO had our plane ready to go when we arrived.  Around 7:30am we fired up the engines and headed back to AOO.  The weather was crystal clear...figures.  Amazing views of Cayuga Lake were now visible as we headed home.  A successful trip.  

Ben's 2 Cents

1. If you've never made the jaw dropping approach over the lake into Ithaca Regional,  then let me tell you something....neither have I.  The clouds were a healthy gray that day.  It happens.  At any rate, you're quickly aware the FBO at KITH is conscious of your existence.  An attendant waving orange wands directed us right to the front door.  Permission to pull the rental car, reliable and stylish Toyota Camry, next to the plane is downright sweet.  Convenience aside, it simply looks cool.  Even when the aircraft beside you, a slightly larger, ok huge,  private jet, Gulfstream, also has a car pulled up to it. Range Rover... Black... where was I?  Oh right. Secondly, my crazy ass dogs can quickly go from one mode of transportation to the next without disrupting the Kennedy family or whoever.  Also not having to parade them through the FBO, which they would treat as their own living room, is helpful.  You'll find reasonable prices here.  An all around positive experience.
2. I'm not exactly what you would call a connoisseur of fine wine.  Or even crappy wine.  I'm more accurately what you would call... a Bud guy.  Don't get me wrong.  The wine up there tastes fine, I suppose.  But I wouldn't be able to confirm with confidence that it has a mushroom and vanilla flavor with a citrus and oaky finish.  What I can confirm is, it gets the job done.  Glamping gets a solid thumbs up.   

An Ice Cold Kate favorite - Stevensville, Maryland.  Essentially, this is where it all began.  The Bay Bridge Airport (W29), located on the southeast side of the bay bridge, situated with the west end of the runway kissing the water.   I lived and worked in Annapolis, MD, Ben in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  It was either a quick hop over the bay, in the plane back to PA, or over the bay via the bridge, for a weekend in Annapolis. But our weekends always started at the Bay Bridge airport.

What to do - Where to stay - Where to eat in Annapolis:

A short trip across the Bay Bridge takes you to Annapolis - the sailing capital of the world. 

Sandwiched between the Chesapeake Bay and downtown Annapolis sits the U.S. Naval Academy.  Take a tour.  You will not regret it.  You don't have to be a history buff to appreciate the deep ties of the academy to the city's culture.  The combination of patriotism and youthful vigor as displayed by the academy make it impossible to not feel a plethora of emotions. 

Downtown Annapolis's Main Street also provides great shopping and dining.  Looking to have a cold one?  Check out McGarvey's.  Owned and operated by a former fighter pilot, this unique pub is a local favorite.  Adorned with fighter pilot helmets, gear, and memorabilia, it doesn't take an aviation lover to appreciate McGarvey's.  Pusser's Caribbean Grill and Restaurant is a great place to watch the sailboats and powerboats try to make the narrow way up Ego Alley to show off.  Try their famous Painkiller while you are there.

If you have the time, I would recommend a boat tour of Annapolis and the Bay.  It is a great way to learn about the town and see it from a different perspective.  

Across the drawbridge, in the small village of Eastport, you will find Davis' Pub, a local hangout for sailors just coming off the water from Wednesday evening races. 

I highly recommend staying a night or two in Annapolis.  This blog could not do justice to the numerous places to eat and see in this seaside town.  Check out this website for lodging suggestions but we have had wonderful experiences at Loew's Hotel and Historic Inns of Annapolis.

What to do - Where to eat in Stevensville:

If time does not allow for a Bay Bridge crossing, fear not, plenty of things to do. Kentmorr Restaurant and Crab House is located a few miles south from W29.  For those of you with smaller planes, you can also land at Kentmorr Airpark (3W3) - a 2,400' grass strip within walking distance to the Crab House.  Located on the soft sands of the waters edge, The Crab House has a Tiki Bar as well as fresh caught, steamed blue crabs.  You can even relax in a swaying hammock strung feet from the bay.  Even closer to W29 is Hemingway's Restaurant and Marina and the Stevensville Crab Shack.  If you live or are staying relatively close, the Crab Shack is a great place to order crabs for pick up.  We're quickly approaching our 3rd annual Crab Fest!   

Stay tuned to Ice Cold Kate's for future posts about Easton and St. Michael's, Maryland (close by trips to Annapolis). 

Ben's 2 Cents

1. If possible, make the approach for W29 over the water onto runway 29.   Paralleling the bridge and descending over the sparkling water you can get a great glimpse of sailboats gliding around the bay.  The crowd on the deck of Hemingway's will undoubtedly get a decent glimpse of you. Its a helluva good spot to grab a brew, judge a few landings, and comes with a great view of the bridge.  Watch for deer & birds, especially at night.  I recall one evening, Kate had the pleasure of Tasmanian Deviling it out to the runway, scaring Bambi and friends away as I made my approach.  Overall, the facility is as simple and accommodating as their budget allows.  I'm guessing the budget is tight.  Regardless, the FBO staff and maintenance hangar personnel were always happy to see my dog.  Good enough for me.  If no one greets you with open arms, a kiss, and a ride over the bridge....average wait time for an Uber is approximately 30 minutes.  Oh yeah, if you're getting crabs for pickup, DON'T FORGET a heavy duty wagon.  That lesson, sadly, was learned the hard way.  Guess who got to be the wagon.  I'll give you a clue....  It wasn't Kate.
2. Mouth watering crabs & ice cold beer.  Nuff' said.  Not quite.  I don't think I've thanked Kate enough since we've met for sharing her love of Annapolis, but I'm not sure I ever could.  The city's unique aura always got me excited to visit her.  I've sensed that many of the people that live there do so out of their pure infatuation with the city.  I can see in their eyes that they are never going to leave. And I don't blame them.  The brick façade buildings and the hundreds of sailboats bobbing in their docks take on a personality all of their own. The city is old yet thrives with a young and vibrant energy.  Its a feeling of witnessing American history and its future fusing together.   I miss it.  So, thank you Kate. I'll never forget the time we shared in your city.  Hey Kate, what are you doing this weekend?      

It was a boring hot Saturday in July.  Questioning Ben in the following manner, "What can we do today?" always expect the immediate reply of,  "We could fly somewhere."   I took to Google and searched for a dog friendly place that we could easily fly to for the evening.

I found Oz's Homestay in Shinglehouse, PA.  A fly-in bed and breakfast and skydiving center.   Less than an hour's flight due north of our home base on the Pennsylvania-New York border.  I reserved the room and handed the phone to Ben to get details on flying in.

I was still new to flying and this was my first grass strip landing as well as my first low pass through a tree lined runway.  Ben took a high speed low pass  over the runway, frightening any lingering animals, and pulled back quickly to clear the ridge.  It was at this moment I decided I like this guy, and man are we going to have fun together!  

We landed softly on a wide and lengthy turf runway to an audience of Oz's family and employees excitedly waving and awaiting with cold beers.  We were immediately treated like long lost friends of this warm and interesting couple who called Oz's their home.  

After getting familiar with our surroundings, they invited us to dine with them for the evening.  Oz's owners, Ashley and Celeine, are amazing chefs and entertainers.  For an additional fee, you can experience their first rate dinner and breakfast.

This is a skydive center so if you are feeling daring, Ahsley and Celeine can help you make arrangements.  Oz's property also has a picturesque stream allowing for great waterside camping sites.  These are also available upon request.  Don't forget your bathing suits.  There is a wonderful hot tub overlooking the runway and red barn as well as a sauna.

We had such a wonderful time eating, drinking and talking with Ashley and Celeine that we did not venture into town so we cannot offer any helpful tips or suggestions.  If you know of any for this area, please let us know.

Ben's 2 Cents

1.  Either absent that day or simply not paying attention, both highly plausible, I could've sworn we were taught in school the native language in Australia is English.  During the phone call with Ash, I was able to discern only a few things.  One, he sounded perpetually happy.  Two,  he mentioned a mountain top, a swampy bit, and animals.  The instructions on what to do about said items, got lost in translation but he sounded so happy I didn't interrupt.  It was this second part that I found disconcerting. Oz's field is not in the GPS database for airports (at least not on my rarely updated GPS card). So using my superior pilotage skills, I managed to locate the airfield.  Its possible too,  the group waving enthusiastically in the middle of a runway signified we had reached our destination.  Getting handed a beer mid exit of the aircraft is always a good sign.  And its not often we get photo ops of the plane in front of a beautiful old red barn.

2.  Monday morning quarter backing the stay, the only change I would make, due to the time of year, is changing the reservation from the room in the converted barn to a tent near the stream.  The house/barn lacks air conditioning and the dogs along with myself got a little toasty.  But then again, we did have our own bathroom and shower. Just something to consider.  At any rate, there are two kinds of people.  Those that drink coffee, and aliens pretending to be people.  I happen to not be an alien.  And Oz brews a damn good cup of joe. My attempts to replicate it have failed.  Kate on the other hand comes awfully close.  Truthfully, everything Oz does in the kitchen is superb.  Every meal will be an experience worth waiting for and one you won't soon forget.  The property is an aviators, campers, skydivers, and any nature lovers dream come true.  Dog friendly to boot.  I dream of having one like it someday.   Brush up on your lingo from our friends down under and give them a call. If your experience is half as good as mine, you'll have a blast.