Galveston Convention Followup

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Well the Galveston convention is over and once again Teresa and I had a great time with great people visiting a place neither she or I would probably ever go.

I'd like to say it was perfect but of course it wasn't. There were times we could cut the dense humid air with a knife and then there would be a down pour, the humidity level would drop and the process of heat and humidity building would start all over. Glad I wasn't at home in PA, it was far worse. And yes we did have some nice weather as well.

We would have also liked to see more 170s make it to Galveston. Several were stopped short due to weather. Many of the planes we did see were just top notch examples. The kind I like the most. Pretty flat paint with a years supply of smashed bugs on the wing leading edges and a pilot and passenger more than willing to share the stories of how each and every one of those bugs got there.

Oh yes there were a few very shiny examples of 170s there as well. Some with original natural polished aluminum finish. A nuisance really. Requiring some sort of eye protection equal to a welders mask just to glance in their direction in the bright Galveston sun. Yet just like a fish is drawn to a shiny lure, we are all drawn to them.

Then there were the examples of aircraft the owners had the good taste to freshly paint to protect our eyes from glare. One or two of them so fresh the color hadn't cured into the final shade. Of course to me anything painted in the last 10 years has pretty fresh paint and doesn't really excite me much other than it is the inevitable first step to that dull paint I like so much.

Of course we toured the local air and train museum as well as a trip to the space center in Houston. All top shelf things to see and do. I've also eaten my lifes quota of catfish and shrimp. There was much more, Teresa and I didn't even get to like the Moody Gardens complex.

This association is many things to many people. For some it is just the 170-News and Flypapers. To others it is the convention, a gathering of like minded people to enjoy time together sharing experiences of the present and the past. To a growing number the association is this forum. I have had the good fortune to be able to participate in all three and encourage every one to try to do the same. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Like everything that gets done with the association it is because some person or group of individuals stood up and volunteered to work on the associations behalf many many times at great personal expense.

Teresa and I would like to thank George and Jamie Horn, convention hosts, as well as their team too numerous to mention for putting this convention together. For those uninitiated this is no small feat.

[n3833v]

I also want to thank George and Jamie [ and their crew ] for their dedication and hard work to make this convention a sucess. I enjoyed every bit, even the spot rain showers.

THANKS,
John Hess