Recently while working in my office, a friend called who lived at the south end of our runway. We were talking and I heard the lovely drone of airplane engines. I told Marie, that I needed to get off the phone so that I could step out and see who it was because it sounded like something big. Marie walked out and said, "I can see it from here, it's a big seaplane and it just landed and is going to the north end of the runway." I, of course, said "if it's a seaplane it must be coming to see me so I really do need to go!"
Much to my disappointment, this beautiful seaplane taxied by and went to a neighbors house. I walked out to check the mail to get a better look and went back to work. That lasted about ten minutes and I grabbed my camera and headed over to be nosy. I introduced myself to the owner who had just purchased the airplane, admired this beautiful machine, took a few photos and went back to work. This beautiful Grumman Widgeon came and went at Eagles Nest Aerodrome for about a week. Every time I heard those engines I went out to the runway to enjoy the sight of the take off or landing.
On the following Saturday my neighbor and the owner of the Widgeon were in my hangar and the remark was made that I must really like the airplane as I had been there to watch every take off and landing. There is just something about a Grumman that makes me want to see it fly. The owner offered to take me out for a flight later that afternoon which was thoroughly enjoyed. We flew the river and did a water landing in front of Charlie Clements house hoping he was there to enjoy.
If you stand by the runway long enough you might just get to go fly a beautiful airplane. This particular ride meant more than most to me, as now I have flown all four of the Grumman Seaplanes, the Widgeon, the Goose, the Mallard, and am still flying the Albatross!
