The airport is open!!!!

[upthesaukee]

The ice runway at Alton Bay is open and being utilized. Caught one airplane landing, and two parked on the ramp. There is already an area cleared off for the snowmobile radar run on 2-19, so hopefully the snowmobilers will stay off the runway this year.

[Pepper]

I'd fly in if I could, but some jerk took the motor out of my airplane and parked it where I can't get to it!

[Island Girl]

A few more feet of snow and you can just climb right up there. Then there is the problem of the motor. We can tow you on the lake with sleds, get up to speed and just glide on in!

Don't forget the lobster rolls.

Now there is an idea... how about a Waldl Peppers bobhouse where you can serve up lobster rolls at the festival!

[upthesaukee]

If she does that, then everyone else will be next in line...after me!!!!

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Now there is an idea... how about a Waldl Peppers bobhouse where you can serve up lobster rolls at the festival!

I'd sooner fly in with no motor than set up on the ice. (See an earlier post about delivering to a bobhouse) Suffice it to say, been there, done that - ONCE - at the Fishing Derby. Had my entire structure flipped upside-side down by the wind. Also had two pieces of equipment partially embedded in the ice, and as a final insult, broke the portable stove trying to get it off the ice. When all was said and done, it had cost us three times what we took in - talk about upside-down! The whole thing gave me more grey hairs than my two teenagers put together!
Hence, we will now happily stay withing the confines of our nice warm building, and PRAY that the snowmobilers will come looking for refuge from the cold, and a nice comforting meal! THAT, I'm prepared for - another foray out onto the ice I am not!

[upthesaukee]

Ok Pepper, we'll do it the old fashioned way...car or boat...


Here's a few more pics from Sunday 1-30-05 at the Ice Runway at Alton Bay.

I got a shot of an airplane on final approach to the runway, great contrast between the plane and the sky.

The Piper Cub was landing and taking off on the snow, really kind of interesting with all the snowmobiles and people around. Great time today..Weather was great and good amount of people on the ice.

[upthesaukee]

I was between the Alton Bandstand and the ice runway when I happened to look for other aircraft and saw the sun behind the flag. Had to wait for another little gust of wind to get the flag to stand out. Hope you enjoy the pic as much as I did.

[ghfromaltonbay]

Thanks for the great shots of Alton Bay, but you are REALLY making me more homesick! It's torture knowing that there's still almost 3 weeks before we can get there. But actually, keep the pics coming, they're great.

[upthesaukee]

Check out the panorama I shot on the 30th down on the bay. It's in the Photopost under "upthesaukee" Enjoy, and have a kleenex handy GH!

[lakegirl]

I saw this coming in and I knew I was in trouble!!!!!

[Lady Di]

How'd you get that shot of me coming in? I was just trying to sneak in for a few days of winter fun. Gotta get out of here once in a while, ya know?

Anyway, I won't tell y'all where I am staying, but had to get out of Florida for a bit. Too nice and sunny......it gets boring.

Ya.......just kidding. Of course, if this was a summer photo, you know I would be drooling. But not now. However, I know today was up to 52 degrees, and a perfect blue sky. It just doesn't get more breath taking than that.
Rosy cheeks, hot cocoa.....a roaring fire. How yummy is all that. We have a fire tonight...and I go outside to smell the smoke, and say to myself, "ah....remember when we lived in Gilford?" And then I remind myself how glad I am that I do NOT live in Gilford anymore. Nothing against Gilford, what there is of it, just the time and circumstances.

[RLW]

Lady Di, eat your heart out. I was at the bay this morning and planes were coming in at 7:15. At one point there were 11 planes and more coming all the time. They appeared to get their bellies full at 1 of the 3 restaurants open right there in the bay and then off they went to enjoy the gorgeous weather and skies. It really was and I'm sure it is still hopping down there. Lots of people enjoying themselves with their pickup trucks, snowmobiles,ATV's and ya all the trailers and bob houses. Groups of people on the ice everywhere telling each other their ice stories and about the one that got away or the one that was to large to come out of the hole in the ice. It's going to be a wonderful day for all festivities with warmth of the bright blue sky and bright sunshine.

[pmj]

Wow..that was fun..almost went to the ocean to walk the beach but we headed to the Bay after the weekely dump trip and there were at least a dozen planes ...(more, actually) on the runway...about 5 helicopters too, some real cute. There was even a small fighter jet that touched down..that was fun to watch.
A food concession stand was all that was missing. We could have walked the lake for miles.
What fun to watch the planes! Busy airport today, couldn't ask for nicer February weather!
Now I just need to get me a digital camera.

pmj

[Lady Di]

upturned cheeks. The blue of the sky......the fragrance of the air.....the sounds of the planes......and the visions of the fiddleheads coming up soon....the forsythia.....the lilacs.....oh yes......I know all the good things.

yes......I still miss that part of NE. But.......maybe tomorrow it will be 5* and windy. That I won't miss.

I remember all the dead batteries......the icy streets....the high fuel bills.....frozen fingers......hmmmmmm.....dandelions....new maple leaves.......

oh well.....and so it goes. This is why I like to come here. I hope the Webmaster doesn't deny us the opportunity to come and talk about "feelings" about the Lakes Region, not just questions, and opinions.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Lady Di, you have every right to post your thoughts and feelings here on the forum. If someone doesn’t like what you have to say, they can either ignore your posts or block them. Stay within the rules of mentioning the Lakes Region and you have nothing to worry about.
RG

[upthesaukee]

Please see the attached Notice to Airman (NOTAM) regarding the Alton Bay Runway.

KB18 ALTON BAY[Back to Top]
02/054 - AP CLSD 11 FEB 12:58 UNTIL UFN


Runway was closed on Feb 11th due to the wet conditions and will remain closed until further notice. Hopefully the cold weather later this week will freeze the wet conditions and allow the runway to be used this weekend, but I wouldn't hold my breath...This rain has raised havoc with the ice conditions, not only for the planes but will have an effect on the Mt Major snowmobile radar runs and the Alton Winter Carnival may be in jeopardy as well. GRRRRRRRRR!

[Island Girl]

Let's hope the cold forecast and flurries all Friday night help the situation.

[Pepper]

Over the past few days I've had occassion to drive when some of the roads were experiencing that "wet condition" and I must say, it's a challenge to drive a car in that stuff. I can't imagine how tricky it would be to land a plane in that slushy mess. I sure do hope it hardens up again! I so look forward to the annual event because even though I can't be there, we usually have a fair number of pilots who fly over our way and tip their wings at us on the way by. Sort of puts us over there in spirit, y'know. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for some COLD!

[upthesaukee]

but:

Current Alton Bay Airport Conditions
2/23/05 @ 22:00

The weather just has not been cooperating with us this year, so unfortunately we have to cancel the Ice Runway fly-in at B18 Alton Bay, originally scheduled for Feb 19th, but postponed to Feb 26th. Airport management has just reported to me that the ice is too rough, and the recent snowfalls certainly has not helped.

This information is from Aviation Association of New Hampshire's website:

http://www.aanh.org

Sorry aviators, we missed you at the Winterfest and had high hopes you would be able to hold the fly-in this weekend. See you next year.

[trfour]

Some years here, The Lake is frozen solid, we have tons of snow for the skiers and snowmobilers, All of the trails are open, and the Alton Bay Airport runs smoothly! This winter has been differant, just have to wait, it could turn around, or we might have to wait for next winter.

No wonder we're so toughf!

Thanks for the update upthesaukee, we will all just have to tuff this one out.