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There were 18 of us who made the trek down to San Carlos in 6 airplanes, landing at nearby Guaymas Airport. The weather there was perfect. The Marina Terra Hotel and Spa provided a nice logistical location for the group as many went kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkeling at the hotel beach club nearby. On Algodones Beach, we had takers for horseback swimming (yes, they took the horses in the ocean!) and others went regular horseback riding on the beach. The dolphins gave us a fantastic show as did the sunset on our Hattie Annie Margarita Sunset Cruise. The margaritas weren’t bad either! Our “toes in the sand” dining at Sunsets was a real treat as we watched the sunset and listened to a local band. Nearby the popular Soggy Peso Bar received some of our “soggy pesos’ during the weekend. Rumor has it that Sally and Eric Kinder made it to the top of Tetakawi Mountain, the well-known landmark in the middle of San Carlos. It’s quite a hike but the view is breathtaking. Kudos to Sally and Eric! For a little down time, the pool and jacuzzi were popular. On our last night we had 16 of us in the jacuzzi after dinner! Overall it was a fun trip with a fantastic group of people. Thank you Patti and Tom for arranging a fantastic trip and for sharing your favorite Mexico getaway with fellow DAFers!

For the November program the  “Ettinger Total Luck Quotient” was presented by Colonel Robert C. Ettinger USAF (Ret). Based on live and repeatable test results it was truly an incredible story.... Fighter aircraft, pitch black night, 15 foot waves, 56 degree water and finally the long awaited rescue by brave sailors of the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency. Thanks again to Colonel Ettinger for his service and sharing his amazing survival story!

You could cut the tension with a knife as DAFers waited to hear the results of the October 10 Mystery Fly-In at the October dinner meeting on October 18. Many DAFers had been preparing themselves for many months to face the grueling written test that would reveal the mystery fly-in location.

But before fly-in czar Mitch Taylor revealed who would win the coveted Mystery Fly-In trophy, fellow DAFer Dave Hopkins delivered a comprehensive update on the status of Santa Monica Airport. He noted that closure of the airport would set up a dangerous precedent that could affect TOA’s future. And even if SMO’s closure didn’t directly threaten TOA, the increased traffic directed from a closed SMO would certainly complicate and add to congestion at TOA.
Mitch then provided an overview of the fly-in test and provided the correct answers to both the difficult and not-so-difficult questions (the long-standing rule that anyone who contested a question would be response for organizing the following year’s fly-in kept challenges to a minimum). Finally, Mitch revealed the team with the highest test score: Team Hahn.  Congratulations to Curtis and Lisa!

And none of this would have been possible without the hard work of Mitch, Steve, Nancy, Robert, Dan, Bob and Lynn in creating and helping to administer the test. Thanks, DAFers.


October saw another successful DAF Fly in with 19 participants, 8 aircraft, and 14 lunch participants. This year included the second annual malevolent mystery mishap by the voltage-sucking battery vampire preventing one plane (not two like last year) from participating. Of those that flew to Brackett, it is worth noting that the first plane to arrive at the destination was Kel Vanderlip in his Cessna 150. A bit of a coup considering horsepower and cruising airspeed of the later arrivals! The lunch bunch enjoyed a sunny, if fire-induced hazy, view of the San Gabriel Mountains and the airfield traffic. The group was unexpectedly treated to the Brackett Antique Aircraft Display/Car Show which is normally held the third Sunday but for some reason was Saturday (contrary to their website and published media). A hardy few walked over to view the Puddingstone Reservoir before heading back to home base.

 Ye-Haw!  We had a wonderful time in Prescott, Arizona last month as 17 of us wandered our way around the historical town. Did you know Prescott was the first capital of the Arizona Territory?  Me neither, but now I do!  Between having beautiful weather, something for everyone to do, staying at a hotel of the 1927 era, and of course the fun of being together as DAFers, it was a great weekend!  Friday night included the “Art walk” on Whiskey Row, and dinner together. The Hassayampa Hotel was a delight, including an elevator from the 20’s, and the Peacock Dining Room gave us our own room for dinner on Saturday night.  Hmmm….did our reputation for loudness precede us??  During the day, folks went wine tasting, hiking around interesting and beautiful Watson Lake (do you know what a “granite dell” is?), checking out the little shops in town, and/or/maybe a rumor I heard about something involving guns? Happy hours were “cozy” but the company was great, and we had time to get to know new friends, and catch up with folks we hadn’t seen for awhile.

August is usually fly-in free, but this year we had a special treat. Steve and Nancy arranged a trip to Drakesbad Guest Ranch in Lassen Volcanic National Park. 23 DAFers flew (or drove) to Chester, CA, and then headed into the park for the weekend. The scenery was gorgeous, and there were plenty of places to hike or ride to. Eric Kinder and Roger Hoh even caught fish, if their version of things is to be believed. No photographic evidence was produced, so anything could have happened!
Some people went horseback riding, and the pool got a lot of use afterward. Dusty trails were the rule, so a good rinse was essential! At night, the pool provided a great location for stargazing, as the area is truly dark at night. No light pollution up here. The nightly campfire provided a great place for S'mores, nightcaps and a chance for everyone to share their adventures. 
The food was excellent, and the service was ideal. The staff at Drakesbad were all friendly and helpful, and right there when you needed anything. They made everyone feel right at home. 
A fantastic trip, with great weather to boot! Thanks to Steve and Nancy for setting this up.