January 3, 2023 It's a Wonderful Life

The Liberty Gazette

January 3, 2023

Ely Air Lines

By Mike Ely and Linda Street-Ely

Mike: We braced against the icy blast, mucking through snow on a bridge in Seneca Falls at 9:00 PM Christmas Eve. I wondered why the water below wasn’t churning like the scene in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But then, that was probably done in a Hollywood studio tank. We could have encountered the ghost of George Bailey or clockmaker Clarence P. Odbody, AS2 (Angel, Second Class), but we didn’t. The temperature was 12 degrees, but the wind chill was -5. Not much different than when we left Liberty early that morning. 

Seneca Falls was the fictitious town of Bedford Falls in the 1946 Christmas tale. Little did we know when planning the trip that a winter storm would sweep the U.S. But then, that’s what adventure is all about. Besides, this meant a white Christmas. 

The B&B we picked for our winter writing retreat was just down the road in Penn Yan (home to Penn Yan Aero, aircraft engine overhauler). The idea was to break from routine in an environment that evokes creativity. After scanning possibilities around the globe, we chose a sweet little cottage overlooking Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region. This is mostly a summer resort area, but it’s magnificent in winter as well.

We knew however, that we probably wouldn’t make it here in our airplane due to low freezing levels. The Elyminator doesn’t have a de-icing system. We were a little concerned as the cold weather approached Liberty. Airports across the country were closing, there was a threat of airline strikes, and so many flights were cancelled. We were fortunate, but the airport scene was nothing less than chaos.

Linda: There are no direct flights from Houston to Syracuse, and we’re lucky we didn’t get stuck in Orlando like so many people did. I got a kick out of the lady who joined our row of seats. She was going to visit her daughter for Christmas and loved that I gave up the window seat to her. She was glued to the glass and kept taking pictures. I didn’t figure her for a pilot but thought I’d open the door to the topic, just to see. 

“Great views!” I said. She agreed wholeheartedly. I pointed toward the flight deck. “Second only to the one up front.” Her response would tell me if she was an aviatrix.

Her facial expression was one of yearning. Wishing. Love from afar. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like,” she replied, “the whole country, right there in front of you. I can’t imagine.” She looked back out the window with great admiration. I was right. Not a pilot. But clearly, she loves flying. I didn’t mention being one; I just wanted to hear what she had to say. Her love of flight made me happy.

There’s so much to do in the Finger Lakes region, home to over 150 wineries, amazing hiking and scenery, and lots more for us to tell you about next week. Happy New Year!

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