Really enjoyed the video. Even though I have read most of the posts before, I started at the beginning. In the last six years I have been fortunate to have flown PA-18s with Alaska Float Ratings at Moose Pass; a T-Craft with Arctic Flyers at Lake Hood; a C-170B on the Tanana River with MTV; another T-Craft and a PA-22 with Alaska Floats and Skis at Talkeetna; a couple of Beavers at Kenmore; a Stinson 108 and a 172 at Seattle Seaplanes; a 172 at Lake Buchanan, TX; received my rating in Idaho at Mountain Lakes Seaplanes in a J-3; flew PA-12, C172, C180, and C185 with Adventure Seaplanes in MN and FL and flew with them to the Arctic Circle; a G44 with Chester Lawson in FL, and a PA-18 with Montana Seaplanes. I might be leaving a couple out. My total time in the air is small compared to most of you people, let alone my total seaplane time, thus I am very limited on experience, but the most fun I have had flying has been in seaplanes. I have had great instructors and have flown in some very beautiful places. I thank God for that, and for having been given the opportunity to fly with these people/companies and to have seen all these places. Just seeing that video sure has me all fired up to fly a bunch more hours in floats. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice video. Thanks for posting.

The float flying video was a cruel reminder of what I am missing due to Mother Nature. My neighbors in BC have been sending me pictures and reports of the horrible weather in the Cariboo. Snowing today, close to 2 ft of snow on the ground, AND almost 2 ft of ice on our lake!!

Last year the ice was gone May 5th, this year nobody is predicting when this happy event will happen.

I guess I will try not to go nuts and just go with the flow. My annual inspection starts Monday in Carson City, NV so maybe I will have more time to fly around the area and say hi to people.

I am having dinner tonight with Manny Puerta so that will help my pilot attitude and Sunday I should visit Gump on the way to CC. These meetings will almost be as much fun as being on the water.
Ford

Okay then, one more for kicks - here's a run up to a friend's place.

<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=942101&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color="> <param name="quality" value="best" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="scale" value="showAll" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=942101&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=" /></object><br /><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/942101/l:embed_942101">Laughing Loon Island</a> from <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/user400337/l:embed_942101">Brad Thornberg</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/l:embed_942101">Vimeo</a>.

Getting ready for the season...

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Glad to hear all of the good things about Alaska Float Ratings at Moose Pass. I've been thinking about going to them for my float rating. Don't know when I'll make it but it sure sounds like a lot of fun

Ford, your not the Lone Ranger. I am back in Illinois doing the spring planting and my wife called yesterday from our place in Ontario with the report that they had two feet of new snow. Our lake is still frozen and probably will be for some time. I have a new set of Aerosets sitting in MN to be put on the 185 before I head back. Can't wait to finish planting and for warm weather to begin in the north country.

Red Lake Norseman Festival. A celebration of round engines (and of course lots of flat engines too!)

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