The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Hey - where should we go this year? In July - squeezed before or after a wedding, Dakota, Teryn, & I, need to make another run somewhere. Teryn wants to pick up some Florida Sunshine (Beach). Is there anything down on the Florida Keys? Any suggestions on sites to see EAST of Arkansas? Teryn is a senior, so this might be it! I just might activate that SPOT and leave dots all over Google Earth.

Why don't you go to the Bahamas? It's an easy flight, almost never out of sight of land. Andros Island is fantastic. There used to be a place called "Archies" which consisted of a main hut (where all meals were served and a lounge, etc.) and each family or guest stayed in individual little huts directly on the beach. Every day Archie would serve what was caught during that day's scuba dive, which he hosted with his own dive-barge. He was from Australia but immigrated to Canada, then the Bahamas, and a real hoot. Pampered guests.
Breakfast was always thick bacon, eggs, french-toast, pancakes, and a fish dish with fruit (took me a couple days to actually try fish for breakfast, but it was grilled and fantastic!)

Lunch was usually salads and fish/shrimp, etc. Dinner always included steak or chicken, but fish again, which was never tiring because it always was different and differently prepared. Bluefish was especially delicate with a cream-sauce.

His bar was where I learned to drink St. Pauli Girl beer, way back in 1970. The water is so clear/blue you jump overboard thinking you are in 10-feet of water, and find that it's actually 60' and the bottom is magnified like a lens. Incredibly beautiful marine life. Very safety conscious.

Archies was on the NorthEast coast of Andros. Two airports on the island, the official one down south, and another uncontrolled one up north near Archies. His was the first "dive-resort" ever, on Andros. He has since passed on, and his former resort is now a research station.
But there are others on the island. Andros is quite primitive, so don't expect casinos and a lot of night-life, although there are likely a few small "discos" at Androstown.

Bonefish:

Small Hope Bay is a nice place too, with similar fun. (Archies was about 5 or 6 miles on the same beach but further up north, almost directly west of Nassau.)
They have a website.

While rates may seem expensive at first, ($250/day per adult is not uncommon) it includes so much that it begins to appear cheap. Typically includes all the following.

Beachfront cottage accommodations
All meals, bar drinks, and beverages
Nightly conch fritter hors d'oeuvres & snacks
All hotel taxes
Also includes: Free Discover Scuba or refresher lessons for scuba diving and snorkeling, self-guided nature walks, windsurfers, Hobie Cat, Escape sailboat, kayaks, bicycles, and hot tub on the beach.

Also, dive packages usually include all the equipment, etc., and scuba lessons for beginners.

A link which may interest experienced divers in the complexities of the prehistoric coral "wall" and "blue holes" that Small Hope Resort offers is at: http://www.smallhope.com/CTSD/Walls.html






From their website:
Private Pilots
Fresh Creek, Andros is a great place for Private Pilots. Fresh Creek (Andros Town) is just 150 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Flying to Small Hope Bay Lodge, the Andros Town airport (MYAF) is a very friendly Port of Entry. Customs is open between 9:00am and 5:00pm, 7 days a week. Overtime can be arranged by calling Customs & Immigration at (242) 368-2030. There are no customs fees for truly "private" pilots (this does not apply to corporate jets or commercial planes). The runway is 4,200 feet, 9 & 27. No Fuel, but only 26 nautical miles from Nassau. Longitude W 77 degrees 48' - Latitude N 24 degrees 42' Check the Bahamas and Caribbean Pilot's Guide for more information.
Small Hope Bay Lodge gives a 10% discount off of our all inclusive rates to private pilots and their "co-pilot" during our slow seasons. Contact the lodge for more information.
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IMPORTANT! U.S. citizens must have either Birth Certificate or Passport in order to enter the Bahamas. Driver's Licenses are not sufficient identification for entry into the Bahamas. Citizens of other countries must have Passport, and Visa if required. Beginning on January 23, 2007 all people reentering the USA will need a valid passport. Please verify travel requirements prior to travel. Please see http://www.travel.state.gov for more information.

OK - I'm researching it George! Wish we already had our Passports!

Passports can frequently be obtained at Post Offices but takes a few weeks. They may also be available in "emergency" basis at the Federal Bldg in LIT on a single-day. Check with them.

(It's been awhile since I got my first Passport, but with passport-photos and birth cert. in-hand, I stood inline at the federal bldg in Houston and walked out with them 4 hours later. Of course, this was back in the early 80's and things may have changed.)

Hey what about the Pilots Certificate? Do I need the new kind? I ordered it about 3 weeks ago - I think - didn't pay for anything!

Just looked it up - This certificate was last issued: May 20, 2009 - Wonder when it's going to make it to my house.

Technically you are supposed to have it, but I'll venture that the Bahamians, who speak the King's English, will allow your American English to suffice for "English Proficiency"...despite your Arkansas-drawl.

PS: Another advantage is you don't have to exchange your money. Bahamian dollars are equal to U.S. dollars and they accept either. (Just be certain to exchange your Bahamian money back to American dollars before you leave the islands, because it's unlikely your bank will accept Bahamian. Keep only the prettiest Bahamian dollar bills you wish for souveniers.)

This certificate was last issued: May 20, 2009 - that's what it says on my Civil Aviation Registration, but I havn't pulled it out of the mail, which means nothing because Traci might have, which means it's in the car or closet or dropped in the flower bed on the way to the house or something.

Daughter, Son, and I, are in full Texting & Facebook'ing mode, over this Bahama Ideal.
BTW, I found TEXTING FROM THE PLANE to be quit handy, when I flew over to Searcy to pick up Teryn, last week. You don't need to hear the cell phone to Text and the text message stays on the screen until you can read it.

After I was rear-ended, totalling my car and injuring my neck by a woman texting while driving, I have a borderline anger management problem with people who drive and text. Be careful up there.

Cabela's has a sale on auto-inflate life vests this week for Father's Day. On a Part 91 personal flight in my own airplane, I'd be comfortable on a daygtime flight like this without other flotation, using flight-following. On a clear day you'll never lose sight of land. Fly right over Bimini island.

Cabela's is offering SPOT's for FREE. ($150 purchase, w/$150 rebate.)

Yeh - I think texting in a car, should be right there with DWI's! Our Fire Chief, here at work, will be out for sometime. A girl, texting on her phone while backing out of her driveway, ran out in front of him. He was on his motorcylcle and is broken up pretty bad.

Traci went and found my new Pilot's Certificate (still in it's envelope) probably while watering the flower bed.