Had my house rattled (big time) by a low-flying CH-47 Chinook this afternoon.
Bear with me on the following narrative. It eventually leads to a "What airplane did you see flying?" sighting.
This past Monday, the 24th, Cindy and I were back in Punta Gorda to attend my Mom's funeral. The service was held outdoors at Ponce de Leon Park along the shore of Charlotte Harbor. One of my fondest memories of my Mom is from about 15 years ago, when she and I went up for a ride in a classic Waco UPF-7 biplane. We flew all around Punta Gorda and the rest of Charlotte County in that open cockpit beastie. What a grand time we had, dressed in matching distressed leather flying jackets, leather helmets, big goggles, and long, white silk scarves! Neither of us could wipe the silly grins from our faces for the next several days. It's a memory that I will take with me forever. During the funeral service, I heard the grumble of an approaching radial engine. I kept fighting the urge to look up, but the closer it got, the sweeter it sounded, and the less resistance I could muster. As the approaching airplane was just about overhead, I finally gave in and looked up. What I saw both broke my heart and lifted my spirit straight up to Heaven. The airplane flying overhead was a Waco UPF-7.
