#124 Jul 2015 Yes, I "Flew" the Airplane!

Our next destination was Woodstock Ontario. We debated about taking the 401 highway or paying the toll to bypass Toronto. The 401 was no problem! After passing Toronto we stopped at a rest area to absorb the fact that we had driven the 401 with an RV towing a car for a total of 54 feet in length.

Richard and Linda welcomed us to their home and the church parking lot. Eikle and Sheila, Keith and Pauline also arrived. We met new friends whom we had previously known only via Skype during LME meetings. A fun evening getting to know one another.

Richard is a private pilot and a member of the Woodstock Flying Club. 

He offered to fly us over Woodstock and really get to know their neighbourhood. Richard is a careful, experienced pilot and we lifted off the grass runway on a beautiful, sunny evening.

 

After a few minutes Richard asked if I would like to fly the plane. Well, I was in the co-pilot seat!

With some trepidation I passed the camera to Ralph and prepared to learn – quickly. I took the “wheel” and learned how easily the plane responded to every little movement. Ralph was seated directly behind me and could not move enough to use the camera but the response of the plane is engraved on my brain. Fantastic!

The fields and city were beautiful in the evening light.

We flew over Richard and Linda’s home and the church parking lot. We spotted our motorhome. A very special view!

Ralph had been concerned about signs of wear on the right front tire of the motorhome. Richard went the extra mile to find a mobile technician. Finally, the third person had the right tools and the front tires were switched left and right. Ralph heaved a sigh of relief and thanked Richard profusely.

We have been to Niagara Falls previously but couldn’t be so close and not experience the thrill again. The spray from the falls can be seen and felt long before seeing the falls.

 

The Canadian Falls are as spectacular as we remembered.

The International Bridge can be seen beyond the American Falls.

 

Towards evening the rainbows were impressive.

We never tire of the beauty of Niagara Falls.

Riding the Incline Railway was a must to get up the hill and back to our car.