ID05 - Hackney Airpark (PRIVATE)

Hackney Airpark

Okay, this airpark IS private, and you MUST HAVE PERMISSION to land. We just happened to know a guy, through another guy, who knew this other guy ... and thus the best summer trip EVER fell in place for us. If you've never heard of Athol, ID - that's okay. There really isn't much to it. But I bet you've heard of Silverwood Theme Park  - amiright?? Because this location is PERFECT (if you are able to land here, and camp on someone's property) to spend a weekend at Silverwood/Boulder Beach.

 This is Silverwood Theme park and Boulder Beach. As you can see - it's quite the place! Granted, it's no Disneyland, but hey, in our little Cessna it didn't take nearly as long to get here as I'd thought it would - nor was it as expensive as you'd think. Advice: Groupon, Costco, discounts through work, or even their own website has constant CHEAP tickets for admission. Just do your research and there are lots of discounts out there for you to find - and it's totally worth the 2-day pass, FYI. You won't be disappointed. Ps - yes, that is a runway ending at Boulder Beach, unfortunately, it is no longer in service.

Hackney is a grass strip, and it's well maintained. Our 'guy' met us when we landed, and helped us taxi back to his property for the weekend. Super nice family. I'm hoping to be able to update this post with his info, or be able to share who he was sometime in the future (so always check back!).

Pushing the plane into our 'parking' spot in his backyard. He has power hookups, and a nearby fully plumbed bathroom for guests to use! I'm not kidding when I say he is the nicest guy ever! He also had a car for us to use while we were there, so we could go back and forth to the theme park whenever we wanted.

Gage was not thrilled with the Tremors ride (it goes underground at one point). He was just at the height requirement, and I think the 'scariest' ride he's ever been on was the Yeti ride at Disneyworld.  The water log rides were definitely more his style (and mine LOL). 

This ride .. oh my gosh. Aptly named "Aftershock" .. I refused, and I think my husband wasn't exactly looking forward to it, but our daughter had this coaster on her list and there was no way we were leaving without her riding on it - so I made him go with her. No sense in her dying alone, right? (Thanks for taking one for the team, dear). 

1:32 seconds, 65mph, 3 inversions and 4.5 G's. Not for the faint of heart (or those with heart issues!). Click HERE for more info and HERE for a YouTube video. You're welcome.