Letters Aug. 26: Martin Mars memories; sad about downtown; tell us about missing-middle projects The Times Colonist Aug 26, 2024 12:03 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The retired Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber is being prepared for display at the B.C.
Aviation Museum in North Saanich. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Listen to this article 00:10:45 Warm memories of the Martin Mars The Martin Mars water bomber is at its final resting place. She has had quite a life.
In 2001-02 I was living on an acreage west of Sooke. The property was situated among an ancient old growth forest near a 250-foot cliff above the ocean — an idyllic setting with a 180 degree view of the Olympic Mountains/Strait of Juan de Fuca. It was a warm summer day — almost too hot.
Wildfire smoke filled the air from a distant wildfire. I was lying in a hammock between two old-growth trees near the cliff’s edge. It was so peaceful and quiet.
Off in the distance I began to hear a humming sound that got louder and louder. But because I was so close to the forest, I couldn’t see anything ..
. I could only hear the noise. It was terrifying loud.
And just when my heart was almost beating out of my chest, a gigantic red and white plane appeared above me, just skimming over the tree tops. It was so close I felt I could have touched it. It was massive and the roar of its engines was deafening.
It was the Mars water bomber. Following her final journey the.