Thanks, Bob!

What a spectacular weekend that was. Despite the dire forecasts of southeast wind, somehow Kahana was favored with a mostly north of easterly sea breeze flow for three days in a row. Maybe it was Ginny's voodoo weather powers. Or maybe it was the influence of Bob himself, spotted on each day flying with us in his feathered form.

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it out for the 2nd annual celebration of Bob's birthday. This might have been our biggest flying party ever. Over fifty pilots came out this weekend, and we were joined by at least twenty five family members and friends, as well as a handful of canine counterparts. Ray counted eighteen tents on Sunday morning, and he counted twenty wings in the air at once on Saturday. We flew cross country every day, landing everywhere from Punaluu to Malaekahana. On Saturday, our biggest day, the flying spanned eleven hours.

For me, the highlight of the weekend was flying tandem with Amelia for the first time on Saturday. I've been waiting years for her to decide she was ready. We gathered plumeria blossoms in the morning and then hiked up and launched to join the armada that was assembling for the flower drop. She was a perfect passenger, enthusiastic and engaged during our entire long flight, and she is excited to go up with me again. I wish Bob could have been around to see that!

Thanks to Thom and Ray for organizing the event. And welcome home, Ginny! If anyone has stories, pictures or videos to share, please post a comment or even a separate article.

We were sure lucky to know you, Bob. We miss you!


Click here for full-screen version of this video!

Thom's pictures:

Tweed's pictures: