Rubber Ducky

CRISFIELD, Md. - The Worlds largest rubber duck will soon be waddling its way to Crisfield. The town is expecting thousands to come out for the three day visit and the duck is already the talk of the town. At 6 story's tall and around 15 tons, the inflatable rubber duck surpasses the height from peoples condo balconies. The duck is expected to bring residents and tourists from all over.

Mary and I decided we would fly out of Ocean City and cut across the peninsula to the town of Crisfield so we could get a few pictures of the rubber duck. I set up my new camera that shoots in 4k on the tail tie down, and set up my usual over the shoulder cockpit view.

Ocean City was very busy with school planes and jet traffic with all the hoity-toities leaving after the fishing tournament. I guess that's not a fair statement at all so lets push that label to some of the jet pilot crews trying to dictate departures. People are people and if I had the $$ I would be departing the same way.

Once I had the fan turning we taxied out for runway two-zero, the favored runway for the winds at the time. I could have used one-four and had a crosswind component, but I wanted to stay clear of the jets. I was number one for two-zero and had to taxi around from the hold short to pick up clearance delivery and a super secret squawk code thanks to Biden being in town. Once I had the code secure I switched back to CTAF and made my call for departing two zero. One of the jet crew pilots let me know she was trying contact me then let me know they were all trying to contact me and being on with clearance delivery was not an excuse. Hey, I was number one and jets have no priority over bug smashers, this is an uncontrolled field. My response to the pilot giving me crap was, good for you. 

I launched for Crisfield and on climb out contacted Patuxent Approach for flight following. More on the departing jets when we return home.

We came up empty over Crisfield, rubber ducky was a big flat puddle in the parking lot. Well that sucked. I made my turn for Accomack and cut across the bay. I cancelled the flight following with Pax and let down for Accomack. After crossing midfield I entered the left down wind for runway two-one and greased one on.

 

I secured 3 Tango Charlie and headed in for a courtesy car. I advised I'll take fuel when we get back from breakfast. The courtesy car was a Cadillac Escalade. The ride was nice and in seven miles we were pulling up to Janet's General Store and Café.

Today there was no pretty awnings or comfy benches to rest upon, instead the windows were covered and the place was permanently closed. We were so disappointed. I turned the SUV around and headed back to main street to try and find another place to eat. I'll admit I found a good parking place and from there we saw the Bizzotto's Gallery Café'. We crossed the street and gave it a shot.

Gallery café'? Okay, lets give it a try. The place was very nicely laid out and I like that they kept the original tin ceiling tiles, I just like the old school look.

We were the first in for lunch and of course the service was excellent. Mary ordered veal parmigiana and I ordered the chicken parm. I drank ice tea, have to do the pilot stuff, and Mary had a Pino Noir. Typically Mary doesn't care for a red wine but she really enjoyed this wine with lunch.

My Chicken Parm

Mary's Veal Parm

I'm not a big sauce guy, ate it my whole life, and I forgot to ask for light sauce. I was pleasantly surprised when I ate the pasta, the sauce was very good, perfect taste.  We were both too full for dessert and with that settled the check.  Mary did ask the two ladies sitting close to us if they were locals and they said yes. She asked what happened to Janet's Café. They both spoke up telling Mary that Janet retired and nobody wanted to continue with the business. At least she went out on her terms, we both wish her well in retirement.

The Gallery 

Heading Home

We retraced our steps back across the street but we saw a bakery. Don't be ridiculous, of course we stopped. I went to start the SUV and get the AC on and my bride came back with a half dozen donuts, atta girl.

It's just a seven mile hop back to the airport with a stop to top off the vehicle. Mary and I had a nice time chatting with the line guys, both men were very nice. The one gentleman said "you found the bakery" as we walked in. Yes we did and a new to us restaurant.

I got the fan turning for the short taxi to the pumps for some $6.03 a gallon 100LL. Once I took on my twenty-two gallons Mary climbed aboard and we taxied clear for a Cessna that just came for fuel. 

I launched for home having to pick up flight following and the special code to get back into the outter ring of the TFR.  A quick uneventful hop and we're home. Just pushed the plane in the hangar, she'll get the debug, covers, and battery hook up tomorrow morning.

The Rest of the Story

Back to the Jet crew lady that gave me a hard time. Once I shut down a friend came over to meet us. He had been monitoring the radio when we left and agreed I was number one and the jet pilot was a bit over the top. The line guys had to deal with the mess all morning and at one time they had eleven planes lined up. Guess who was complaining, yep the jet crews. The best part was the jet pilot that was giving me crap had left her phone on the wing of her plane and it fell off and may have been runover by another aircraft leaving the ramp, it was destroyed. Karma's a bitch. I wish I could have been there to take her call looking for the phone.