Rainy Daze

18 Jun 16
09:21 hrs

     It's a rainy day here in the Valley.  For all the heat we had in the spring, summer has proved to be cooler and wetter. Traditionally, the weather patterns here on the Left Coast were cycles of rain and sun as the system bands blew in off the Pacific. In the summer there would be two weeks of glorious sun followed by a couple three days of wet then back to the sun. This pattern shortens in the winter till it was reversed with precipitation almost every day and very few clear days. And you can forget about the sun. As anyone who lives north of the 49th Parallel knows,  if work in an office you can forget getting your vitamin D because you're into work before the sun comes up and you're leaving after it sets.

     Have I not stated this all before? Please, Dear Reader,  if you notice that my scribblings are becoming repetitive then for heavens sake let me know.

     A former coworker is arriving today and leaving tomorrow.  It would seem that 407  (The Demon's) Sqn is having a reunion this weekend. I am not attending as I would never a base myself to be a member. Just kidding. The Demon's have a rich and honoured history dating back, as most other RCAF squadrons, to WWII. Currently, they are flying the CP-140 Aurora (Block 4). The USN is now in the process of replacing their P-3 Orion maritime aircraft, which  is essentially the same aircraft as the Aurora, with the P-8 Poseidon. This new plane is using the Boeing 737as the platform.

14:00 hrs

     I saw something interesting while waiting for my friend. Actually, I heard it first and then I saw it. I heard the sound of a pair of CF-18's taxiing on the flight line. From my position I should have been able to catch a glimpse of them but the bird bath was in operation. The bird bath is a huge water spray platform with a dozen or more high pressure nozzles. Aircraft that may have flown through salt spray or that have operated within 500 feet ASL will taxi through the bird bath to remove the corrosive sea salt. The Auroras, Cormorants and Buffaloes all use this service regularly. On this day the wash was running. I could see the water shooting high in the air but I couldn't see an aircraft in the spray. Then, I spotted the taxi lights of a CF-18 coming out of the mist. Holy Crap!  They had taxied a fighter through the bird bath! Well, that was a first for me.

19 Jun 16
07:25 hrs.

    HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !!!
     Yes, Happy Father's Day. The day whereby a father will traditionally get tools s gifts to complete tasks the wife wants done or ties to wear to events the wife wishes to attend. My Better Half pointed out that Mother's Day is a week-long EXTRAVAGANZA whereas Father's Day only lasts the week-end. Regardless if you are close to your father, if he is physically here or has passed on, please celebrate your father. As with all father-child relationships I'm sure you butted heads with him. So what. For one day set your differences aside and give him a hug. The results might surprise you.