March Program - Highs and Lowes

DAFers were treated to a night of special aviation history as Steve and Patrice Demory presented the illustrious career of Professor Thaddeus Lowe, American Civil War aeronaut, scientist and inventor.  Dressed in period costumes and presenting through the characters of Prof. Lowe and his actress wife Leontine, Steve and Patrice described how balloons were first used by the Union as reconnaissance and communication platforms.  Prof. Lowe's achievements were not confined to the war years, however, as he had a second career as a very succesful inventor (a novel hydrogen-enriched gas process) and built a scenic railway and resort in the San Gabriel mountains (we all felt a little less special after hearing about all of the exploits of this remarkable self-taught man).  As an added bonus to the night, the great-great grandson of Thaddeus Lowe, Lance Ferm, was also present at the meeting and had a very nice display of Lowe-family artifacts and materials.  

February Dinner Meeting

The February meeting had slightly lower attendance than Jaunuary, as some of our members had departed early for the Mexico trip. However, it was still an enthusiastic crowd for our speaker, Bern Heimos. Bern's photos and video from his cross-country trips in a 1939 Piper Cub were amazing, inspiring many people to reconsider their quest for speed and think rather about Low and Slow. Peter Broen was caught contemplating selling the Glasair  and buying a Kit Fos. The moment quickly passed. 

Tequila Sunrise

38 DAFers, including a contingent from Santa Rosa, descended on Loreto for the February Fly-In and Whale Watch. "Aircraft needing a margharita, say your location" was the call from the tower, and the response was immediate, although paperwork on landing was a little slow.

Saturday morning, after a sunrise breakfast and a van ride across the peninsula, we boarded our boats at Magdalena Lagoon. THe weather was perfect, not too hot but with plenty of sunshine. Whales were not only watched, but petted and given belly rubs. Up close and personal was the phrase of the day.

The hotel, with it's sunrise view across the gulf, was excellent and the bar well stocked with tequila. Aside from the brisk competition for the Bonehead award, it was a fantastic trip and a great time. Thanks to Dave Weir for arranging everything.

January Dinner Meeting

Our first dinner meeting of 2014 was a great success with almost 60 attendees. Incoming President Wayne Grau presided over his first meeting in command. Despite all predictions, everything went smoothly. (Although past-President Joe Cogan was overheard murmuring "rookie" on several occasions).

New Fly-In chairman Dave Weir spoke about the upcoming Baja whale watching trip on Feb. 21-24, as we'll as future fly-ins to Grass Valley (May) and Gold Beach, OR (July).

Our speaker was Lt. Col. Dean Hunter (USAF ret.), who gave an excellent presentation on his experiences as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War, and as a USAF pilot during the Viet Nam war.