Mother Lode

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June 22nd, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Mother Lode

College Park, Maryland: the Home of the Oldest Airport in the US

College Park is noted for having the oldest airport in continuous use in the entire country, and perhaps the world. Here the Wright brothers fulfilled their military contract and taught two soldiers how to operate their flying machine. The field is noted for being the first airfield for the Postal Air Service, started in 1919. The hanger erected then is still in use today. The Metro train runs right behind it. The field was also known for the Langley Air Races in the twenties. L. Ron Hubbard of Scientology fame took photographs of the races and the winners while a budding journalist. These are on display in the museum, which chronicles the history of the airfield from the Wright brothers' presence through its heydays to the present day. Today single engine planes dot the field.

College Park is also the home of The University of Maryland, the Terrapins. We took a tour of the campus given by one of the students. If you are a sports fan or an aficionado of the Arts, the university will fulfill your needs, because of the many activities which take place there.

The National Archives are located in Washington DC, but they have a branch in College Park, MD. Arriving at the Archives, NARA, I registered and received a photo ID to do research. Sadly, all of the records I was seeking were at the downtown office. The gentleman said that there was a free shuttle bus, which runs every hour on the hour between the two facilities. I scarcely believed my ears. Noon came and I hopped on the promised shuttle. I thought that this would take some time due to the horror stories of Washington DC traffic and the blockades everywhere. Taking the main roads, we passed through Hayettesville, Catholic University with the Basilica, many ethnic neighborhoods. Within thirty-five minutes, we were at NARA, on Pennsylvania Avenue, in the heart of downtown DC. We had hit the mother lode again. Free transportation without the hassle of finding a parking space at the METRO and the same travel time from College Park to DC proper.

About the Author

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.