"OLD RHINEBECK AERODROME"
There is a little place nestled in the trees, just east of the majestic Hudson River in New York State, half way between Albany and the urban sprawl of The Big Apple. It's a place where the modern world disolves away into the sweetly acrid smell of burned castor oil and the piercing song of ancient aero engines.
As surely as if you had stepped into a time machine, a walk thru the gate of the "OLD RHINEBECK AERODROME", will immediately catapult you back in time to a place that most of us could never have known.
I will not attempt to rehash the details here of what can be found on the provided link, but to give you a personal and less comercialized view of what Cole Palen has left to us. When I first met Cole, it was after years of procrastination and promises to myself to do just that. I had heard of Cole's endeavor when he was just getting going good in the late 60's. But as fate would have it, life intervened and best intentions were just not enough.
I remember like it was yesterday, I woke up one summer sunday morning after seeing some footage on the cable the night before about WW I in the sky, and I decided then that I was going to go find this legendary place and man! And So I Did!, and for twelve years now I have been returning time and time again each Spring, Summer and Fall.
Cole Palen was a man who lived his boyhood dreams! Surounded by other dreamers as friends and customers. It all started as a hobby that went hopelessly out of control, his dream had grown wings, and was left to us as his legacy. Although he had been gone almost five years, I can still see him, covered with soot and castor oil, streaked in greasepaint, his leather greatcoat, jodphurs and hi-top boots well worn and dusty. He is still there standing in a crowd of visitors, his smile gleaming, his arms waving, mesmerizing them and sharing his passion!
I have been fortunate in life and have met many people in many walks of life, but I have been most honored to have known this kind, gentle, magnanamous man of dreams, and I still feel a deep sense of sadness in his passing. I do miss him so!
"OVER THERE" by George M. Cohan Courtesy of: "TRENCHES ON THE WEB"
TO INDEX This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page
TO INDEX