I have just returned from two days at Jerseytown Pa where Alan Buck held his annual Fun Fly event. And if fun was the objective, then this one was a rousing success! The site was perfect, the weather was perfect (except for a few hours of dead calm each day in which clean flying was a challenge due to one's own wake turbulence...), the food was perfect (supplied by Alan's amazing wife, Diane and two of their three daughters, Jennifer and Erin), and the fellowship was perfect (lots of laughs and good-natured busting).
I've been down all summer with severe back problems and have been undergoing physical therapy. The pain has subsided somewhat in recent days so I decided to test out things by participating in this two day event. Over the two days I got in many flights on my old and trusty Genesis Extreme (which was built in 2001!). My thought was to go for the first day and see how well my back and legs tolerated that. My old and very dear friend, Ken Armish had invited me to stay overnight at his house if I decided to go for the two days, and I took him up on his offer. That was as much fun as the Fun Fly for me, as I had not seen his lovely wife, Norine in a long time, nor had I had the chance to meet their new dog, Nugget. As my close friends know, I'm a Golden Retriever nut, and Nugget is an amazingly beautiful GR. Nugget and I played for nearly an hour before I turned in. My thanks to Ken and Norine for their kindness and hospitality, and to Nugget for the new welts on my arms... (Casey knew I'd been around another dog when I got home and her nose was out of joint for a few minutes...) I also got to meet Alan Buck's beautiful Golden Retriever, Sadie (Who looks very much like our own Casey) and his new dog -can't remember his name at the moment -which is a Golden/Lab mix.
After having been cooped up for several months with almost no modeling activity, I experienced a rush of emotions at this affair. I was thinking that my flying days might be over for good, and it is fairly certain that I'll not be able to go at it like I used to, but his weekend was like a reprieve from prison for me. All in attendance were very supportive and helpful, making sure I didn't carry heavy things from my van to the pit area, or overdoing it on the field. It's great to have such friends...
If you are in the PA, NJ, Upstate NY areas, do yourself a favor and make Alan's next Fun Fly; I can guarantee the "Fun" part, but the "Fly" part will be up to you!
And for all you Golden Retriever fans, here's a photo of our Casey.
Thanks again, Alan and all your helpers!
Bob Hunt