August 22, 2009 — When I was a teenager, my dad and I did a lot radio controlled airplane building and flying. I haven’t flown in a few years, but I recently discovered some of the local r/c flying community. With gorgeous weather and one long week in my wake, I was up for a cruise.

So I hopped on Hwy 13 and rode to the southwest metro, right next to Valleyfair, to the Minnesota Valley R/C flying field. Here, as it was when I was a kid, R/C flying is predominantly an old man’s hobby — the forte of retirees. There’s nothing wrong with that, and in fact, I had a really good time talking to these grumpy old Minnesotans. My Vespa was an instant topic of conversation and I was soon regaled by tales of their own riding and scooter shenanigans. Fun stuff. Not a huge turnout of flyers, but still several interesting planes and lots of interesting personalities.

Nathaniel Salzman