John's Seaplane Adventure

  "I never thought I'd get a chance to ride in a De Havilland Beaver in my lifetime"  Let's do this. John 's did get this opportunity courtesy a united family effort and the good folks at Seaplane Adventure, based in Mill Valley. From all accounts he enjoyed his experience very much.

     Originally booked for the Sunday prior November 27 we had to cancel for family concerns about the wet weather (slipping, cold).  By the companies rules this should have been a forfeiture but they are really nice and said that they wanted to make this bucket list happen, so we were provided an unofficial year extension.

     Believing we should seize the day while John is willing and wanting, the weather for Dec 4 looked good so we scheduled it in. Plus Tim was back from his great Washington trip, and as Tim is the best partner here (his technical knowledge, interest, and strength to assist John up and down) we were all go.  With Tim and Oliver along, Maria was free to be with Ann, and Dexter could assist a teacher with a move.

    The flight was a 1:00 appointment. We arrived early enough for us to lounge, observe and get excited.
They would go up in a 1955 Beaver. Oliver and I would goof around on dock, playing catch, sitting by the water.  4 passengers, 2 pilots, and one person from their office who unhooked the plane and spun it around. The plane glided out, turned to the left before reversing direction for a clear pathway for the approximately 30 minute flight. The sky was clear, the air was cool, the day a good one. We finished with a nice lunch at Mama's in Mill Valley.  Next time: John: motocross!...

Game Face 

Inside the plane. Wild, right?

                             Most photos courtesy Tim Dempsey.  Some also from O.Chempsey.