Yesterday Nick and I celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. We didn't really have anything planned per say...just the idea that we would wing it with what felt right. If we felt like dressing up and having a fancy dinner, we would. If we felt like hitting up Boomer's anniversary "all burgers for $2.89 sale" then we would. We're breezy.This was the first anniversary we were to celebrate in the state of Washington. The last few years we have conveniently been on family vacations which included both Mexico and Hawaii. Both years we have flown out on the actual anniversary...but still...having a good chunk of the day dedicated to white sandy beaches, Pina Coloada's and decent weather...not too bad. Needless to say we were a bit distraught that our anniversary fell on a non-vacationing date...no special treatment this year...or so I thought.
The day was pretty much the usual run of the mill days...wake up, (although I was adorned with a bouquet of beautiful flowers), go to work, touch base with the usual phone call and so on. But at 5pm...Nick came blazing in the door (very unusual for him...6 or 6:30 is his normal arrival time) asking: "Are you ready to go?"
"Oh Goodie!" I thought..."A surprise!" Nick is very good at surprises.
I asked a few questions: "You are going to feed me right? (I was starving). "Am I dressed OK?" (My new Bellingham-esk hemp skirt). "Do I need a jacket?" (Knowing Nick he would probably make me hike 4 miles to get to a remote staged picnic scene.) After we took care of those details, we were out the door in a flash! As soon as we headed North on I-5 I knew this was going to be good. All regular food establishments that we like are downtown which don't require freeway access...let alone North-bound. I was chatting in the car like everything was normal, but when we took the Bellingham International Airport exit...I shut up and began to wonder.
We parked and was greeted/escorted onto the tarmac by our friend Laura Mills, girlfriend extraordinaire of Corley McFarland...our aviation-equipped friend. Soon I put it all together...we were headed to San Juan Island for dinner. The tradition continues...our anniversary would be celebrated with dinner on an island and on a (much, much smaller) airplane.
The smallest plane I have ever been on was from Guatemala to Belize on our honeymoon - a 20 seater. The plane we were about to occupy could have fit in that 20 seater plane. It was tiny! Corley being the oh-so professional and suave pilot that he is, gave us the grand exterior and interior tour, calming any fears that the plane was in fact functioning to it fullest ability.
He had all the fancy lingo going when communicating with the towers...so I figured we were in safe hands. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't a wee-bit fearful...not because of the idea of plunging to our death (God takes us when He wants to) but of the fact that I hadn't gotten to say goodbye to my family or let anyone know that if anything did happen, they needed to go get Charlotte who was sleeping innocently in our kitchen. So after a quick prayer and a few negotiations with God, I let it go and had the time of my life!
The tiny plane only needs 1/6th of the runway to lift off. It was relatively fast and easy. As soon as we got up over the treeline though, things were a rockin'. The plane is very, very light (with, let's not forget to mention, only one engine) so the wind is boss and the plane is left to be corrected. As we swayed to and fro, dropped and raised, and shifted side to side, we admired Bellingham Bay, Fairhaven, Vancouver Island, Anacortes, Lumi Island and all other sights to be seen.
Of course it was dark by this point, so the lights twinkled beautifully. My respect also grew tremendously for anyone who navigates airplanes in the dark. While over the water, the land blends in with the dark masses below so differentiating between high peaks or sea level ground is nearly impossible. Thanks to GPS and Corley's keen skills, we flew at a steady 3,000ft for about 14 minutes until landing safely (and a little bumpy thanks to those "gusts") at Friday Harbor Airport.From there we parked the plane (which involves getting out and pushing it!!!!) and walked to the down town area for a fabulous crab cakes appetizers, a fish dinner, wine and great conversation.
The ride home was a bit smoother than the ride there. The air was much calmer this go around. I got to sit in the front which gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation yet again for people who fly...think about those Fighter Pilots who fly at Mach Speed!!! Crazy!
Our landing was seamless and night of flying was over. We pushed the plane into the hanger, locked the doors and that was it!
Who would have thought that in a mere 4 hours we were flown to and from the San Juan Islands, had a terrific dinner, amazing company and a memory to last a life time.Thanks Nick!!! I am a lucky, lucky woman to be married to you! And a special thanks to Corley for flying by the seat of his pants, so to speak (weather in January is rather undependable) and giving us a ride of a lifetime!
