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My wife Elaine and I love Alaska. Our sons Brian and Mark, and grandsons Colby and Austin, own Preferred Airparts, in Kidron, OH, and had a booth at the April 30 and May 1, 2011 Alaska Aviation Expo, put on by the Alaska Airmen's Association.

By this time in life Elaine and I have figured out how to make a two-day Expo into a 12-day experience and I've been able to convince my sons that I still remember enough about Preferred that I'm a worthy representive at their booth. So, they pay my way and I pay Elaine's!

Except for the fact that "any time is a good time to go to Alaska," this might not be thought of as a good time. The ice on Lake Hood is rotten and there were only four airplanes out there on skies when we arrived, and they were soon taken off. We're in that "tween" stage between skies and floats. The upside though is that one gets some interesting shots of ski planes on bare ground and floatplanes sitting high and dry.

I'll post very few accompanying notes. If an owner sends me info on his/her airplane I'll add them. (ken@flyinghigher.net) So, here we go.