A flight with mixed emotions

[Bob Bement]

Each year I donate an airplane ride to our Mural Society to auction off. Each year a friend named Benny tries to buy it. We have flown into Big Creek, Sulphur Creek, The Flying B Ranch, Rome, The Minam Lodge, and this flight was into Johnson Creek. We were to fly into JC, rent the van and drive into Yellow Pine, ID. for breakfast. Benny usually askes his brother or a good friend Kieth to ride along. This time his son said he was going. You see Benny got the bad news that he has cancer (pancreas and liver) and the doctors gave him 6 months. So we made the flight and it was a beautiful day and calm winds. Benny liked the flight and the area so much that he was going to talk his wife into driving in. She doesn't fly in small planes. So, I had mixed emotions as we flew over Cascade reservoir and over the mountains into Johnson Creek. The grass runway at Johnson Creek is so nice and the mountains so majastic. But the thoughts of this being the last flight I will probably take with Benny kinda put a damper on all of this beauty. Bob

 

[AuntPeggy]

Bob - Our hearts go out to you and your friend and his family. Remember to take Benny's spirit with you on those flights.

 

[Tom-D]

" bad news that he has cancer (pancreas and liver) "

That is bad news, its a hard row to hoe. That is the way my MoM went.

We wish your friend the best.

 

[qbynewbie]

Bob,

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he's able to make the most of the time left to him. That he chose to make one last flight with you demonstrates clearly how much he has valued this tradition. I'm sure he was very grateful to have had one more change and it was good of you to make that happen.

 

[Bob Bement]

I forgot to mention that there is a webcam at Johnson Creek that you can get a look at this nice landing spot. Johnson Creek Airport webcam. This field is maintained by the Idaho Aviation Dept. It has sprinklers to keep it green.

 

[TMetzinger]

Bob,

Take solace in the joy you're able to bring into Benny's world by flying with him. You made a difference by that act - I promise.

Best wishes,

 

[tonycondon]

bob you are doing very good things out there in the backcountry.

 

[AdamZ]

That stinks Bob really does. Gald you got to give him some joy. man I REALLY HATE THAT DISEASE!!

 

[Erice]

I forgot to mention that there is a webcam at Johnson Creek that you can get a look at this nice landing spot. Johnson Creek Airport webcam. This field is maintained by the Idaho Aviation Dept. It has sprinklers to keep it green.

Here is the link:

http://www.ruralnetwork.net/~yellowpinecm/
________
NU50M

 

[mikea]

Take him flying often.

I regret that my buddy who asked, "How come you've never taken ME flying again?" died unexpectedly before I could.

 

[nddons]

Bob, my mother-in-law passed away from pancreatic cancer. It's a rough one. I'm sure he'll treasure the times he flew with you.

Bless you and your friend.

 

[HPNFlyGirl]

Bob...you are a GREAT man. Im sure there are MANY of us who can be like you. Benny is lucky to have you to take him flying.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

this flight was into Johnson Creek

Bob,

Sorry to hear about your friend. I can't think of a better place to take him, though! Johnson Creek was one of my favorite stops on my trip.

I forgot to mention that there is a webcam at Johnson Creek that you can get a look at this nice landing spot. Johnson Creek Airport webcam. This field is maintained by the Idaho Aviation Dept. It has sprinklers to keep it green.

Ooooh, now I have another site to look at to stimulate daydreams about flying (not that I need any help).

Gotta post it again. Here's the strip at Johnson Creek:

Bob, thanks for bringing joy to so many people through flying. You make all of us look good.

 

[dparter]

When you look back on this flight, remember how much he enjoyed the flight, and that you could give him the flight with his son, clearly something that he wanted.

--david

 

[Bob Bement]

Kent. Here is a picture I took back about 1985 at Johnson Creek. I flew a 1953 170 B at that time. It is the red and white one on this end, N4558C.Next time you come out we need to check out Big Creek and some of the other nice places in the backcountry. Bob

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Kent. Here is a picture I took back about 1985 at Johnson Creek. I flew a 1953 170 B at that time. It is the red and white one on this end, N4558C.Next time you come out we need to check out Big Creek and some of the other nice places in the backcountry. Bob

Beautiful! I hope I can get back out there soon.

 

[Tristar]

I really think you should take him flying again.

Our lives may seem long for those that aren't sick but you never realize how much you truly treasure until you loose it.

There are a few old quotes I've heard that are sometimes helpful to remember:

"Live every day as if it were your last" and
"Life is not measured by how it influenced you but rather how you've influenced the life of others."

Great job Bob, we all wish him the best.

 

[Ghery]

Bob,

Sorry to hear about your friend. Take him flying again.

Lots of good advice in this thread. Cancer sucks. Too much experience with it over the past year. Dad had pancreatic cancer (in remission). I had prostate cancer (in remission). Make the most of the time you have with Benny.

 

[Bob Bement]

Thank to all of you fine folks on this forum board. I talked to Benny's friend Keith and we are planning another flight into Big Creek U60 soon. We tried to make that flight last year, but got turned back because of Smoke and low clouds. Big Creek is a beautiful spot. 5743' MSL and 3400' of Grass runway. As you all say Cancer sucks. I lost my mother and brother to it. I will take Benny flying as long as he is well enough to go.

 

[steingar]

It's not when you die but how you live. Good for you for making this guy's journey that much better.