FWIS3

We had my parents over for Father's Day, also my Mother in Law. And The Kid came back from one of her latest adventures to join us for dinner. This was Mrs. T's first Father's Day since her Dad had passed away last October. So she was a little melancholy. I've got friends who have lost children and I wondered how they were doing. One buddy lost his son two years ago and just lost his Dad a couple of months ago. We skirted the subject but I didn't ask him directly how he was feeling. So I'm feeling pretty lucky this year.

I've long since stopped getting my Dad "things" as gifts. How can I say this politely and delicately? My parents have somewhat of a "tidiness" issue. And I have decided to stop adding to the clutter. So we've switched to meals and such. And I take him to hockey and baseball games. I think that's better anyway. I get to spend time with him. He's always been an aviation as well as a WWII buff. I did some research and found that the Commemorative Air Force's Fifi (at one time the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world), was touring in the area this summer. I originally told him that I had grabbed some tickets to take him on a "VIP Walkthrough" of the aircraft. On Father's Day, I showed him this video* and told him which person he would be. He didn't seem to get it at first, but now understands that next Saturday, weather and mechanical compliance permitting, he will sit directly behind the Captain on a 20-30 minute flight on Fifi. I sit in the back of the cockpit on the other side near the radio operator's station. The seats in the back at the gunner's locations are much cheaper but you're not allowed to go all the way forward during flight. I thought that watching and listening to the flight crew, and looking out the "Millenium Falcon" windows would be much preferable. So, with Mrs. T's approval, I splurged and got us two tickets in the cockpit.

This should prove interesting.

* Both videos are quite long. You can ignore or skip through per your interest. It won't hurt my feelings.

Wow. What an amazing gift!

That's an awesome gift Thump

Thanks. Hoping for good weather and quick healing. Dad (in his wisdom) decided to have cataract surgery last Monday and next.

Nice.

I watched that second video. Very cool.

It's pretty cool thinking that we'll be sitting right there. But the explanation of the systems and controls was very informative to me. I really enjoyed it. I wonder if I'll recognize any of the crew from watching the videos.

That is an amazing gift. How awesome!

Today's the day! Well actually tomorrow. But I pick Dad up after work and we trek up to Warren where we'll eat dinner and spend the night. The motel is an easy 15 minute drive from the motel, we'll get up early and go see some history. There is still a slight chance of inclement weather, but it was only slight and appears to be moving later in the day based on updated hourly forecasts.

Here's hoping for some fun and excitement.

Complete and total success! The plane was there and operating fine. The weather cooperated. The food was good, we got great treatment at two restaurants. Dad wanted to "see some country" and didn't want to take the freeway home. So that extended our trip somewhat. But I took it as a gift. We got to spend more time together, and I stayed out of the rat race that is interstate driving in Ohio.

Apparently he had a fantastic time, Mom said he never stopped talking about it and showed her every picture he took. I'm not sure he went to bed Saturday night. I considered it a "once in a lifetime" experience. So imagine my spit take when over lunch afterward he said, "We need to find out where the plane will be next year!"

Definitely a total success.

Cool