My Rhinebeck contact phoned me in the afternoon to discuss the possibility of moving the flyover to Monday instead, because current weather reports are unfavourable for Tuesday (possible thunderstorms), and more favourable for Memorial Day Monday.

After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that we will stick to Tuesday, but I will ask if the pilot can come earlier (I’m going to suggest 11am). My Rhinebeck contact will be in the office after 10am this morning, so I can’t confirm an earlier start time until I’ve spoken to her. Watch this space for an update by around lunchtime.

UPDATE: Sunday, 2:20pm - we’re waiting to hear back from the pilot about 11am availability for Tuesday

UPDATE: Sunday, 10:00pm - we can’t get a pilot for Tuesday with current weather status (let’s hope for a miraculous change in the forecast); it looks like the flyover will not happen, but stay tuned for more updates

UPDATE: Monday afternoon - Rhinebeck cannot get any pilots to commit to tomorrow; I will bring the ashes to Rhinebeck at 11:00, but it is next to impossible to do a flyover to scatter them; picnic will continue as planned.

The scenario is this:

Tuesday is David’s birthday. I’m going to Rhinebeck, regardless of the weather. The date is very important to me. The main reason why I moved to Toronto — instead of my home city of Vancouver — is so Rhinebeck is more accessible for me, and driving is a feasible option. Vancouver is 4,000 kms away. I will also make a pilgrimage to Rhinebeck on our wedding anniversary, October 1, and probably at least one other time in between.

IF it rains on Tuesday, I won’t scatter David’s ashes that day but we will have the picnic, anyway, with whoever is in attendance. There is a large tent on the property so there will be cover, and the museum is housed in hangars so there will be other things to see and do that day without getting caught in a potential downpour.

If the rain cancels the flyover, I’ll take David’s ashes back with me to Toronto, and will plan to scatter them on May 30, 2007 (his 40th birthday). I won’t feel right scattering them on any other day except his birthday.

If you’ve been to Rhinebeck before, you’ll know that they’re working on a project to build a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis. David and I spent some time looking at it the day we were there, and Stanley Segalla (”The Flying Farmer” who does stunts in a Piper Cub) came over to talk to David about it. I wish you’d seen the expression on David’s face when Stan invited us into the hangar. Pure, unbridled joy.

I’m making a sizable donation to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in David’s memory towards this project, but the building process is a long one. His name will be in the list of donors, but it may be some time before it’s finished and names are published. If and when you see Rhinebeck’s “Spirit of St. Louis”, think of David.

engraved: “Saint Christopher Protect Us”
Replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, complete with Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travel.

Safe travels to everyone on a journey this holiday weekend, and to Rhinebeck on Tuesday.