Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
- gilmore

Yesterday we decided to spend the day on the opposite end of the spectrum and go to a small air show at our local airport. I think there is probably a natural affinity between small plane pilots and sea kayakers expressed in that dream of freedom and exploration. Another similarity is when the weather turns bad we all run for cover. The air show never actually made it off the ground as a line of severe thunderstorms rolled in. . . .

Often at these little shows there is not much to see. However, we did have the “Batcopter” from the original Batman Movie starring Adam West. The owner was quite proud to have the machine autographed by both Adam West and Julie Newmar. He mentioned what a nice woman she was. Yeah, I guessed that she must me. The Whirly-Bat was actually leased only for the movie. . the one which Julie Newmar missed, and was replaced in by Lee Meriwether.

So on Friday while working on some paddling video. . . wouldn’t you know these guys came roaring over the hills to spend some time buzzing around the lake practicing steep turns, formations and leaving smoke trails. Well, the video was right out but it was fun to watch the planes. One the other hand it’s a weird feeling to be laying on the back deck of your kayak as you hear the drone of fighters coming over the hills toward your location.  Let alone to see these vintage fighters appear over you’re head. . . for a moment you can’t help but feel the urge to run for cover.

. . . well, at least we got the planes on video!

Comments are closed.