Birthday Flight

My dad turned 60 Sunday, and to mark the occasion, we sent him up in a Cessna 172.

We had the idea from a few years ago, when Gord's 60th birthday gift was a ride in an old Tiger Moth.

This Cessna had room for four - the pilot, Dad, Stace and Uncle Bill. They went for a 45-minute ride around Ventura County, taking off from Santa Paula Airport.

Dad had been up in a larger planes and in helicopters, but he hadn't ridden in a small plane before and had always wanted to.

Stace served as the official photographer for the ride, which was smooth from start to finish.

Dad took the controls for a few minutes, and all went well.

Such beautiful scenery! Unfortunately, the ocean was clouded over, but to the east were gorgeous views of the Ojai Valley, Lake Casitas, Ventura and Santa Paula.

We ladies waited patiently with books in the lounge area. When the men returned, the pilot - Paolo, from Milan - lifted the girls onto the nose and wing for a photo.

After the ride, Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty had us over for the birthday dinner - barbecued pizza and a yummy cake. The tea lights each represented a decade of life.
We love you, Dad, and are all so grateful to have you in our lives!