Family trip to the Bahamas

[dirtdr]

Obviously not right away, but I am planning a trip for myself, wife, and 4 kids to go fly to the Bahamas sometime in the next year or so.


We will be leaving Northern Alberta and dont really want to spend a bunch of time on the way there, but will likely do some tourist stops in the USA on the way back.
on the way there, tentative plan is customs in Great Falls, Montana then stop for the night in Denver area.


Day 2 will be to Ft Worth, then New Orleans, then Palm Springs.


Day 3 to the Bahamas - hopefully check out a couple runways and go from there..


Of course the route is going to depend on weather systems at the time. A 500 mile detour isn't that much in the grand scheme of things if I have to go around some systems. To that end, I dont plan on booking any hotel rooms along the way until I am there


Anyone have recommended places to go once we get to the islands? Kids will be 3, 5, 16, 18. My goal is to find a runway with a beach beside it and hang out on the beach beside my plane for a day or two. Im sure the kids wont find that very fun.. We will have to make a day or two for them at one of the resorts or something like that.


On the way back we will likely check out Los Angeles and fly up the west coast on the way home - at a leisurely pace.


Anyone here have experience with that type of trip? Any hidden Gems on the islands? (My ideal place would be a small Island with a runway beside the hotel to base out of for 1-2 weeks while we are there.

[ScudRunner-d95]

Cody Wyoming, right on the doorstep to yellowstone national park and home to the oldest rodeo in the world! ( the bulls usually win)


grab a car and head out to the park. good FBO there just watch the knoll off the end of the runway if your coming in at night.

[Chris]

I've heard the swimming pigs are worth a visit.

[dirtdr]

The pigs are on the short list for sure.


I spent the $50 for the AOPA Bamahas guide. I havent gone through it completely, but it looks like a great resource, with airport info along with local info and things to see in each area.


I have narrowed down some "must see" airports while I am there. Most of these are inspired from the videos I have watched of people flying into amazing looking strips along the ocean.

These include:


Normans Cay - Old DC3 crash site in the water just off the island - Also rumored history of the cocaine trade of the 80's


Farmers Cay -  Parking pad for airstrip is right beside the beach


Staniel Cay - Pigs!


Hawks Nest - Resort and Bar right on airport.

[dirtdr]

[youtube][/youtube]


My inspiration for wanting to go there..

[David MacRay]

Looks nice. Little Fowl Cay stands out, 1300 X 40 feet, that seems sporty.

I think I want to watch it on a bigger screen. Looked like they were in a crab on the first approach, maybe it was a camera angle or something.

Four children, you will probably eventually sell that plane with sand in it.

[dirtdr]

yea its a pretty good wind from the right. He has another video posted of the full landing.... actually looks pretty hairy...


[youtube][/youtube]


A little sand in the carpet never hurt anyone.... but the more I research this trip, the more I think the kids might have a week or two with grandma and grandpa ;)

[David MacRay]

I like where he declared himself, "Number one for runway 35." That's a good idea.

[dirtdr]

Ya. I'm gonna try that next time I come into springbank.

[David MacRay]

That would be pretty funny, "Springbank, this is Cessna 310 gulf alpha bravo Charlie, five miles from.. at 5500' with information Juliet, inbound for full stop, number one for the active."