Courage by Joseph G. Udvari Page A

packed ten, that should be enough,” Jill answered.
    â€œI’m packing, one pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, two warm sweaters, six tee shirts and two bathing suits for everyone plus shampoo, a bar of soap and a couple of towels.” Mary was very particular about cleanliness and just because they would be camping in the woods was no reason they couldn’t stay clean. With some creative packing everything should fit in two large duffle bags. Of course it didn’t! There were two duffle bags and one backpack, which would come in handy for day hikes.
    â€œJim I’m packing the tea kettle, you know how much I look forward to my tea every morning.”
    â€œWhy not just take a small pot then that way we can use it for other things as well?” Jim said.
    â€œI have just the thing. I was going to throw this old saucepan in the garbage but we can use it camping and throw it out after we get home. As I recall the plane has a full first aid box, so we don’t have to take one but I’ll just pack some Tylenol, Neosporin and anti-itch lotion for pesky bug bites in the backpack in case someone gets a headache or a scrape or if the mosquitoes are hungry. There, that should be everything. Do you think I might have forgotten anything Jim?”
    â€œEven if you did, I’m sure we’ll survive without it. We’re only going for a couple of weeks.”
    They drove out to the airfield where the Cessna was ready and waiting. Jim and the service crew made sure they had enough fuel to fly the 1000+- kilometers to their destination and back, with some to spare. The company that owned the plane certified it to be safe.
    â€œNow Jim, this plane is equipped with a new transponder in case you need it, we just installed it and it works.”
    â€œWhat does it do?”
    â€œSimple, if you are in trouble, just flip this here switch,” the mechanic said, pointing to a small box. “And it will send out a signal that we can pick up. When activated this red light will flash and the signal will give us your exact location.”
    They knew Jim well as he had rented planes from them before. The mechanic asked some questions regarding what they were carrying and where they were going. Jim filed a flight plan of their destination and they made ready for takeoff. The plane’s calling sign was V-HER8. Mary assured that they were all harnessed in their seats and as they took off from the airstrip, the weather was near perfect, the sun was shining, there were only high clouds. It was a beautiful, clear day for flying. They were averaging 200 kilometers per hour and should be at their destination in two hours or so. Jim pointed out landmarks to the kids as they were flying. “Look over there, that’s Williams Lake, and over on the left is 100 Mile House.”
    Both kids groaned, “Enough dad, when are we going to be there?”
    â€œIn about half an hour,” Jim said with conviction.
    â€œYou say that all the time too Grandpa,” Alicia chucked.
    â€œI guess I do, don’t I?”
    â€œDad you always say that. Really, how much longer?”
    â€œOkay, we’ll be there in thirty minutes then.”
    â€œYou always say that too,” the kids groaned in unison.
    â€œAfter landing I’ll take you to a lake where the fish are so plentiful that you can walk across the water without getting your feet wet.”
    â€œDon’t you have any new material Jim? Mary asked. “The kids know all your lame jokes by now. Seriously kids, we should be there in about an hour.”
    After landing and unpacking the plane they planned to have a swim in the small crystal clear lake before sundown. Jim was able to navigate by sight since he had flown this area before and knew the landmarks well. The plane was in the air for one and a-half-hours when a fast moving thunderstorm with low flying clouds off the Pacific Coast blanketed the entire area. Heavy rain and winds