AIR MILES
So if you are reading these in order you are likely wondering just what made yesterday a 'banner day' for Ben. Well as you know this trip is to give him a bunch of experiences and memories he and I will never forget. On the road in to Bar Harbor I had seen a sign at the side of the road which planted the seed of an idea which I now wanted to explore. I parked up and entered a very small and brightly painted office and spoke with Tammy and ten minutes later emerged with a reservation for myself and for Ben to take a 30 minute flight around the Acadia Park in a Cessna! Ben has never flown before and so it would be a voyage of discovery for us both! I had a pretty good idea that he would like the experience because he just adores looking from the windows of high rise buildings.
Bart introduced himself as our pilot and helped us load up and strap in. Although a 15 year veteran of flying Army and Marines, 8 of them flying Apache helicopters, this was a first for him too - a VIP dog passenger. I sat with Ben in the rear seat of the little four seater and off we went. Ben was transfixed by what he saw from his window and was clearly very engaged in the view and what we were doing. It was like he did this every single day - he was so cool..... Conditions were perfect, sunny and clear - and smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom. Had I been asked, I would not dared have been so greedy as to ask for such perfect weather! The flight passed by all too quickly and we made a smooth landing back at the airport and rode the golf cart back to 'departures'. A huge success.
As we left the airport Ben asked me a question, "Boss, how many frequent flier miles did I just earn"? I wonder where he learnt about that?
We celebrated the event by dropping in at a BBQ pit for lunch and sit on a shady patio, lobster roll for me, chicken tenders for Ben ably served by our waitress Amanda. Another perfect spot, another perfect day.
THE 'OFFICE' AND CHECK-IN
SHAME THEY DIDN'T HAVE DOG GOGGLES!
BART OUR PILOT TAKES A SELFIE
MR BEN 'COOL' COMBES ENJOYS THE VIEWS
