Sunday At The Oakland County Fair Redux

Since we had so much fun last week at the fair, we decided to go again today. Natasha had a friend in town so it was just me and the girls.

It was a lot less crowded than the 4th of July weekend which allowed for both more exploration and a lot more ride time.

Since it was less crowded, we got to explore more of the barns and saw a lot more exhibits including:

Future Steak of America:

Bacon Bits:

The rare Alpaca-doodle:

And, a very cute baby camel:

Then we did multiple rides multiple times - the Ferris wheel at least five times, the kiddie roller coaster at least that many, multiple trips through fun-houses and lots of other rides. Happily, they had my favorite ride, the Cliff Hanger.

In contrast to St. Mary's fair, and possibly due to the lesser crowds of the day, it seemed that each ride went on for longer than a similar ride did at the St. Mary's fair - for example, the kiddie coaster went around 9 times each ride here compared to about 5 at St. Mary's. For the Cliff Hanger, not only did it go around much longer, it went measurably faster - I wasn't dizzy getting off the ride at St. Mary's but certainly was for this go-round - still a heckuva lot of fun indeed being stirred but not shaken.

It was a hot day though, so the girls got their money's worth out of the bottomless cups of chocolate milk that was cleverly hosted in an air-conditioned building, and each received multiple re-applications of sun screen.

We took a lunch break - Abby and I shared a Texas BBQ Chopped Beef in sauce sandwich that was awesome, and Leah had a corn dog.

The BBQ was excellent, smoked on the premises with a scent that reached the top of the Ferris wheel and drew us to it like moths to a flame. The corn dog - well what more can you say than it is a perfect hot dog - on a stick! It doesn't get much better than that, especially with its corn shell perfectly cooked and not over or underdone in the least.

Then we went to see a demo by the Jumpin' All-Stars competitive jump-rope team. They were pretty darn awesome - doing a cartwheel without missing a beat while skipping, skipping across a line of five other jumpers, stuff like that. Then the team let the audience come up and Abby and Leah both gave double-rope jumping a try and had a lot of fun.

A few more rides and another cooling break and some more chocolate milk and then we headed off to swim at a friend's beach lot. Then, once we were totally wiped we headed home and another great day was done.

Saturday At St. Mary's Fair

As is now a memorial Day tradition, we took the kids to St. Mary's Fair, the largest high school fair in the USA.

The weather was cool and overcast, and while the day began with showers, it kept the crowds low and the temperature cool to make it an enjoyable event, at least until the major rainstorm later/

Its fun watching them grow and be interested in and able to ride a lot more of the attractions. Of course, since Natasha doesn't like rides like roller coasters and such I was the accompanying adult on all these adventures.

Of course the carousel is a classic that they had to ride and was just about the gentlest they went on that day:

They could both ride the bumper cars and Abby was able to drive in her own car for the first time. Suffice it to say once this kid starts driving my insurance rates are going up.

They then decided to set their sights higher and higher:

It then started raining heavily so we took a break for lunch in the food tent and Tash and I shared a great Polish combo that had kielbasa, stuffed cabbage and some other fine delicacies that was great. The kids being less adventurous had the more standard fair fare.

The rain stopped and we returned to the midway. It turns out that Leah is the more fearless of the two, or at least lacks a greater sense of self preservation. She enthusiastically went on the kiddie roller coasters, swings that took you very high into the air and swung you around so you were parallel to the ground in your seat, and many other attractions. I was required to go on them with her so I was able to get the full experience.

After some persuading, Abby agreed to try the roller coaster and announced she liked it, so I ended up riding it another 10 times in a row between the two of them, in every possible seat. I can report the very front is fun as you can't see what is immediately ahead, but the very back subjectively moves faster and has wilder side to side motion.

The three of us then went on the Ferris wheel for some high aerial views of the fare:

Yet another great day at St. Mary's Fair.

To The St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair

The largest High School Country Fair is held in my neck of the woods in Michigan, at St. Mary's Prepatory School on Orchard Lake Rd, and is well worth a visit if you're in the area this Memorial Day weekend.

So we took the kids yesterday and had a great time, this has become part of our annual Memorial Day weekend activities and its fun to watch the kids grow and be able to try new rides as they get bigger. Parking was $7, an all-day wristband for all rides for Abby was $22, a sheet of tickets for the little one and the adults for occasional accompaniment was another $20. A bottle of good Polish beer was $5, a plate of Polish delectables $10, and then the obligatory cotton candy and other sweets added up. The results: An absolutely perfect day, with Abby saying it was the best day EVER - which is worth it no matter how you slice it.

Abby went up the huge fun slide all by herself, which was quite an accomplishment.


She also went up a very high ride with rope ladders, rickety bridges and a large slide aptly called Raiders - watching her make her determined way up was quite heartstopping at times for the parents.


She also went on both Carousels multiple times, and on the Kid Model T ride, and she took her sister on it and the train ride, so she definetly used her wristband for all it was worth.

She did not go on this ride however:


Or this one:


Here's a few more pics from the fair


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There were plenty of arts, crafts, and products on display for sale or mere browsing, and lots of live entertainment.

Among the many live acts listed, there was one curious act featured:

Here's a close up:


Polish Muslims? How does that work?

Is it like: "Hates Jews, but can't remember why"?
Or is it: "Ready to charge American Tanks on horseback?"
Or is it: "Communism wasn't bad enough, lets try Islam?"
For entertainment do they blow up backwards?

Actually the Polish Muslims are a pretty funny music group out of Hamtramck, with a darn curious name.

St Marys Polish Country Fair is a great Country Fair and if you in the area, go to it, you'll have a great time, the kids if you have them will have a great time, and the fair acts as a fundraiser for the school so you're helping out a worthy cause while having a great time.

Memorial Day - St. Mary's Fair

Every year we go to St. Mary's fair, which is held every Memorial Day weekend. The largest high school fair in the country, its a great event indeed.

As usual, we got there just before the gates opened so it wasn't as crowded as it would become as the day went on. This meant less lines, more rides and less rowdiness.

The fair provides an interesting yardstick to watch the kids grow. From what feels like just last year when they could only do the little baby rides, they're now off and doing the bigger kid rides like Cliffhanger and Pharoah's Fury and Vertigo. It won't be long until they're doing the seriously major rides.

They did the dragon coaster on their own:

The kids would even go on these big rides alone, repeatedly. Just yesterday they were either too short to ride or if they were of size, you couldn't get them on the rides for love or money.

Amazing how time flies.

Both kids loved the Cliff Hanger

Last year Leah was too small to ride it, but this year she made the height cut-off and came with me and Abby so we had a whole hang glider just for us, and went on the ride twice.

They also loved Pharoah's Fury, and this was the first year for both of them:

That ride swings back and forth going higher and higher until it feels like you're 90 degrees away from where you started. Lots of funa nd they went again, and again, and again, and even put their hands up in the air while the ride went back and forth.

The view from the top of the ferris wheel gave a nice overview of some of the fair's attractions.

For lunch at the fair we had the by now traditional Polish Combo - Kielbasa, stuffed cabage, saukraut, pickle and rye bread and three pierogies. I also had a nice cold glass of Tyske beer to accompany the meal. It was a decent Polish lager, not a great beer, but cold and refreshing.

As every year, it was a great time and a nice tradition continued.

Saturday At St. Mary's Fair

As we do every Memorial Day weekend, we go to the United States' biggest High School Fair at Orchard Lake St. Mary's.

As before, its a fun boisterous place packed with rides, food, and fun.

Abby and Leah are now that much older and can enjoy more of the rides.

The kids did the tea cups, bumblebee, and kid roller coaster like last year, all with me aboard with them.

But this year, Abby was big enough for the Cliff Hanger, so I finally got to give it a try:

On this ride you lie on your front looking down with your hands on a bar and a security cage locking you in place.

Then it lifts off and starts rotating.

And then it gets higher until you're way up there, only to swoop down again and then climb back up.

Abby was hesitant on the first ride but she did it, loved it and then demanded to go again. That's my girl.

That was a very fun (and high at the apex) ride, and I highly recommend it.

After a nice Polish lunch, followed by more rides, we went home.

Then some friends came over and we had a nice dinner with the kids outside and the adults in and had a very pleasant evening of conversation.

The kids left some remains of the meal on the back deck, so we had a little visitor right after they came inside:

He left the deck quite spotless then went off on his way.

A fine day indeed.

St. Mary's Fair Preview

Orchard Lake St. MAry's The largest annual school fair in the country, again opens tonight for a Memorial Day weekend of fun, rides, food, fund raising and tradition.

So yesterday at dusk we did a preview walk through the fair grounds. It was rather deserted, which is a contrast to how it will be teeming with people starting tonight and through the weekend.

There was no problem getting in we were allowed to wander around the grounds and it was interesting walking by all the rides that sat silently waiting for their time to entertain the masses to come.

It was neat to walk around without the hustle and bustle and being surrounded by tons of people. After walking around the grounds, we walked on back out, and I expect the Fair will be a great success when it opens this year as it was in all prior years.

Yesterday At St. Mary's Fair

For the ninth year in a row, we took the kids to St. Mary's Polish Fair - the largest high school fair in the nation.

We met up with some of their friends and started doing the rides.   It's fun to see how they've grown over the years.  They can go on rides now on their own unaccompanied by an adult.

First there was the sedate balloon ride:


Then it was off to the slide:

Now they've gotten bigger they can handle more exciting rides like my favorite, the Hang Glider fun of the Cliff Hanger:

I went on that one with Leah and enjoyed the ride.   She stated it was less scary when I was talking to her as it spun us up, up, and around.


The kids still enjoyed the classic airplane ride, flying of course in a classic biplane in the colors of the United States' hat-in-the-ring squadron, the storied 94th Aero Squadron:

But they also rode the Tilt-A-Whirl for the first time:

They could almost walk in a straight line after they got off.

They also did roller coasters both with and without me, and many other rides.

As a harbinger of the future, they also drove bumper cars on their own.  I can see my insurance rates rising steeply in the next few years.....

It was a great time and after a tasty Polish combo lunch and a few more rides we headed home.

At home we prepared for our friends to come over for a feast, which was then highly enjoyed by all.

Orchard Lake St Mary's Fair Cancelled This Year

Not due to COVID like last year, which as bad enough.

The Detroit Free Press: Orchard Lake police on Polish Country Fair cancellation: Don't blame us

No, not due to COVID, but due to the multitude of unruly "teens" that come to frequent the Fair and can't behave themselves, especially at night.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep said months ago it was suspending — and potentially ending — its big annual fundraising event, citing security and safety concerns.

It's a shame considering the fair has been a community fixture and fundraiser for years, and a wonderful and fun place for families to go.

Sadly, between the police having their hands tied, and the "teens" being allowed to run wild, it's the end of what was a great community event and local tradition.

Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday at the fair

Saturday, to begin the weekend, we again went to the Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School Fair - The biggest high school fair in the united States, now in its 37th year.

Lots of rides, a family-fun carnival atmosphere, good Polish food and some out of this world ice cream.

The kids could now do enough rides that wristbands were in order rather than tickets and they had a great time on the carousel (multiple times), train ride, airplane ride, bumblebee ride, super-tall slide...you get the idea.





After that, pleasantly exhausted we went home then to the lake to play in the sand, and the kids were hot enough they waded right in.

Then home and to tuck the kids in bed and plan the next day.

There's Reasons Areas Are Closed In Detroit During The Fireworks

The Detroit Free Press: Detroiters make the best of fireworks night, but deserve more 

The author of the article bemoans that certain areas of Detroit, especially the parks by the Riverwalk, that offer prime viewing,  are closed off for viewing the fireworks for the 4th.  Verily,  he feels the parks should be opened up for viewing.

Of course, the article then states exactly why the parks are closed.  It's  because some people really can't behave and end up shooting other people during the fireworks show at those parks.

In short they may "deserve more" access but they're part of the problem for the closures.

But the Detroit Police Department offers a pretty good reason for it [the closures]:

In 2017, a 46-year-old woman was shot just before the fireworks began, struck by a bullet during a dispute that didn’t involve her near the Spirit of Detroit statue. In 2013, a 37-year old man was killed about a mile from Hart Plaza during the fireworks show. In 2011, a 16-year old girl was shot in the leg as she and her friends walked near Atwater and Beaubien near the Renaissance Center. And in 2004, nine people were shot in Hart Plaza following an argument, according to Free Press archives.

Yes, the parks are closed because the Detroit Police can't be in every park on the 4th, and it's inevitable some hoodrat is going to feel disrespected and pop off some rounds as a matter of course. 

It's a bit more of a deterrent, and perhaps less likely to happen if its near where the police actually are out in force.

Meanwhile, another Detroit Free Press Writer notes exactly why the Detroit area can't have nice things:

The Detroit Free Press: Young people fighting at metro Detroit events is ruining safety, summer

Note how he says "Young people" or "teenagers and young adults" and draw your own conclusions. 

He doesn't come out and say that it's the hoodrats and yutes from Detroit and other certain environs that are ruining the area festivals, but that's exactly who is causing the problems at these summer events.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's had to close the Annual Polish Fair, of which I have very fond memories from taking my kids there, due to hoodrats coming in and causing fights and mayhem at night, due to the excess costs for security.

We can't have nice things both in Detroit itself and its surrounding environs because some people's kids just can't behave properly, and their community isn't cracking down on them or showing them the appropriate way to behave.

Flying On Another Nice, Albeit Windy Day

Today the sun was shining, what few clouds there were to see were all high in the sky and the wind while still at 12-15 knots from 210-270 variable was still a lot better than the 40-50 knots of yesterday, flying in which would have been no bueno. Spring was in the air, and it was time for me to be in the air, too.

I flew in N3553M today, and it's a good airplane. I had originally booked N8570F nut they moved me to N5337F, a plane that I don't like overly much as the left seat is rather sunken and you need a cushion to sit properly to fly it, and then sometime this morning they moved me over to N3553M. Musical airplanes, but I ended up with one I quite like.

I decided to fly south today as I only had a 2-hour block and decided to do a bit of fun flying and then some pattern work.

Per the tower, I crossed behind runway 25R and took off from 27L and flew to the south.

I overflew a golf course that was on the shore of one of our many lakes along the way.

Then I overflew West Bloomfield High School.

Then over Orchard Lake St. Mary's with Orchard Lake in the foreground:

Another shot of Orchard Lake, with Apple Island:

Then I overflew the remains of the Pontiac Silverdome. The Silverdome is now gone, replaced by a pit, but the parking lots remain full of VWs and Audis remain.

Then back to Pontiac Airport.

I entered the pattern with a right base for 27R and did a darn nice landing.

Then in to pattern number 2, following a Cessna, again for a nice landing.

As the airspace was getting busy they opened dual towers and had us switch frequencies to the north runway while we were on the ground. I did so and all was well.

On the third pattern I had to do a tower ordered go-around as the Cessna had failed to get off the runway in time. Not a problem.

I put the power in got the carb heat and then got the flaps gently out, sidestepped to the right of the runway and then did a tower requested early crosswind at midfield to the downwind and then was set to be number 1 to land.

A final good landing to finish it off, and I headed back to DCT to put the plane away.

N3553M however didn't want the flight to end and was enjoying herself too much. With the mixture set to the cut-off she still would not shut down put sputtered and the prop kept on turning. One of the DCT supervisors saw it and came over and he was rather surprised as well. Finally had to jigger with the throttle and mixture control a good bit to get it to shut off. Next step would have been turning off the fuel feed to run the engine out of fuel before turning it off, but it decided to cooperate just before we did that. Seems the cable to the mixture control may be getting a touch loose and they immediately took the plane in to maintenance to work on it.

A darn good flight of 1.4 and 3 landings with some excellent crosswind practice on those landings, along with a nice surprise go-round to keep me sharp.

Flying - First Flight As A Private Pilot

For my first flight as a licensed pilot, I decided to do a scenic local area flight.

It was a beautiful day and both my own weather checking and then the weather briefer confirmed it and I was good to go.

I pre-flighted Archer N8570F, my first time flying this plane. N1689H is for flight students and training only, not for renters, an interesting change in status.

Winds were 5-10 knots from 60-110 degrees so I did a very long taxi to runway 9L and did my preflight and got clearance to takeoff and head south.

Yep, it was fly over your neighborhood as a private pilot time.

The plane handled fine, and does have a bit more oomph with only the pilot on board.

I flew over Orchard and Cass Lakes, flying over Orchard Lake St. Mary's Campus.

Then on over north into Pontiac and I flew over the decaying Pontiac Silverdome, complete with its parking lots filled with Volkswagens from the diesel emissions scandal.

Seems like a terrible waste of good cars to me, sitting in parking lots wasting away. I'd take one, slightly higher emissions and all.

Then I overflew Oakland University.

And on up to Romeo and the proving grounds.

I flew around a bit more and headed back to Pontiac, where I did a really beautiful landing on 9L with winds at 10 knots out of 110, so barely any crosswind correction was needed at all and it was nice and smooth. I then parked the plane and was amazed to see all of that was only 1 Hobbs hour (Ok, I was quite aware of time aloft all the way through, but it was neat to see how short a time it was).

1.0 and 1 landing. Next time I think a relatively short cross-country to maybe Lansing, Bay City, or Charlotte is in order.