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 | Monday Evening, September 3, 2001
Carlene standing at the former polo fields of the Westchester Country Club, Amelia's original departure point. (above)
We left New York City this morning for Rye, N.Y. and the Westchester County Airport. Once in Rye, it was off to re-trace Amelia?s footprints by checking out the old Putnam estate and a quick stop at Westchester Country Club. After winding through many beautiful old, tree-lined streets, we finally caught our first glimpse of what we know to be the former Putman estate where she and George lived from the year they were married until her disappearance. It was an amazing experience to imagine Amelia, standing at the front door to greet guests or strolling the grounds on a sunny afternoon.
Then, just miles away, we visited the Westchester Country Club to check out the polo fields from which she departed in 1928. The well-kept grounds have changed a bit and the old polo fields have been reduced in size. Trees planted years ago have now grown to a lush, full-size making a takeoff from this location today very risky if not impossible. A driving range is there now, but it was not at all difficult to see in the mind?s eye the image of Amelia and the Avro taking off down field nearly 73 years earlier. Before leaving the club, we visited the fantastic clubhouse and perused photos from decades past.
We then drove to the airport where we inspected the Avian in
preparation for a practice flight in the morning. The little Avian stood out in the modern new hangar where it was parked. There next to it were a number of corporate jets, though visitors wandering in walked right past these modern wonders with barely a glance making a beeline for the Avro. Visitors commented, asked questions and took pictures. We're getting a growing sense of the support and enthusiasm for this flight and re-telling the story of Amelia's life. In the background were the Collins Foundation?s B-17 and B-24 WWII bombers giving rides and reminding people of the diversity of our great aviation heritage. Suffice it to say, it was a full day! I can think of no better way that to cap it off than by visiting Westchester County Airport on a sunny Labor Day afternoon.
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