Day 6 - Camden Take 2

Welcome to Camden (The 'First Wealth' was Merino Wool.)

On Day 3, you may remember I travelled to Camden for a flight, but was denied due to a mechanical difficulty and lack of a temporary flight license. Well, I had just got an e-mail from Airborne Aviation saying that these were both resolved. So this morning I hustled out to the airport early.

AAF Cadets

While I was reviewing the aircraft on the ground with Doug (my flight instructor to be), a group of young cadets came in to service a Cessna 150. This looked like a familiar scene, and I asked them about their organization. Yep, sure enough, they were the Australian version of the US Air Force’s Civil Air Patrol Cadets. The Australian version is called “Australian Air Force Cadets”. I was informed by one of the cadets (who seemed to have the same ‘I’m happy to help, sir!’ attitude as my cadets back home) that he has met American cadets through something called the “International Air Cadet Exchange Program”. Cool. I'll be following up behind the scenes...

Dianne of Teen Ranch

Doug had a pre-existing appointment, so I explored the countryside and town a little. I stopped in to a place called Teen Ranch (because I was looking for horseback riding, and they do that). The facilities and grounds looked great, and I was informed by Dianne (who has worked there since 1967) that Teen Ranch is a non-denominational church camp started in 1959 by two Stetson hat-wearing Americans. She added something about them not fitting in with Australian culture in the long run.

I’ve noticed that many young men are sporting serious tattoos over much of only one arm. I guess it’s all the rage! Here’s an example.

Aussie Tattoo Styling

Well, thunderstorms rolled in and squashed my flight ambitions. I’ve rescheduled the flight for Saturday morning. Until then, I’ll be taking a quick road tour of the famous Blue Mountains, which lie to the west. These mountains proved completely impenetrable to early colonialists. They’re rugged and beautiful, and I want to see them for myself.

Teen Ranch

Teen Ranch

Return to Oz

Day 6 – Camden Take 2

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