After a quick stop in Chicago post 2020 summer road trip Amaris and Fox were driving east to tie up some loose ends and go on an incredibly unique date. On Saturday morning, the duo set south on the Garden State Parkway towards Atlantic City. A close friend of Fox and his father's is a helicopter pilot who was on a hitch flying tourists around the boardwalk. For those visiting AC, Steel Pier Helicopters offers a safe, high quality, and unique experience with an incredibly friendly staff during the summer months. Well, little did we know that Tony would be taking the two of us on the "VIP trip" that included an incredible sunset flight over the Atlantic Coast.
Upon arriving, the boardwalk was reached by a quick walk through the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino out onto the busy boardwalk. The Atlantic City Boardwalk was built beginning in 1870 and over time has become an American icon. This was Fox' first time to see the towering ocean side resorts and motley crews visiting the casinos. A short walk down from the Hard Rock is the Ocean Casino Resort and its chic patios overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A cocktail was enjoyed at the Outdoor Lobby Bar while the relaxing views were taken in. After a bit of relaxing we made our back over to Steel Pier where we would be meeting Tony before the ride. As there was still some time before we would be able to go up we decided to enjoy the pier and ride the recently opened Observation Wheel. Completed in winter of 2017, the wheel stands 227 feet tall and boasts forty temperature controlled gondolas. With stunning views over the fifteen minute ride this is a must do for visitors!
Shortly after enjoying the relaxing ride and a Corona Extra on the pier it was time to ride in the bird. Prior to going out onto the helipad and boarding the small, four person, light aircraft our pilot had provided limited information on what the trip would entail. The two of us were giddy with excitement while we boarded the helicopter and learned of the itinerary. As "luck would have it" the closer airport for refueling closed at 3pm so refueling would have to take place at the northern airport called Eagle's Nest, which was about thirty miles away. The overall trip, including refueling, would take roughly an hour all together with truly stunning views of the coastline that included, state wildlife management areas, Brigantine Golf Links, Stockton University Coastal Research Center, a creepy abandoned fish factory, and finally over the Great Bay into the Eagle's Nest.
Once the three of us were safely on the ground after a thrilling decent a hose was taken from a large fuel tank and the helicopter drank up just as anyone would take a car to the pump. Overhead skydivers had deployed their chutes and were gently floating back to earth. Once the airspace was clear the rotors whirled and the bird was flying again.
The return flight south, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and blazing orange ball of fire to the west made for a truly special experience. The sun's closing rays shimmered across the blues and greens of the coastal waters sprinkled with islands. Atlantic City's towers grew larger and larger as the flight came to its final minutes and the pilot had one last gift in store. For the final descent, the aircraft passed over the pier, approached the helipad from the east and made two massive corkscrews that terminated in a soft landing. The crowd cheered as the VIPs arrived, thank yous and see you soons filled the air as an elated couple walked back to the car.
#newjersey #atlanticcity #atlanticcityboardwalk #atlanticcitynightlife #steelpier #helicopter #hardrockac
Comments