My Paper Route, Bicycles and Airplanes

When I was in 6th grade I had 2 paper routes. About 45 customers.  I can still remember racing home after school to pick up my papers that were in a box at the bottom of my subdivision. The local paper was the Mail Star. 

I loved that it taught me discipline and responsibility and put money in my pocket. I especially loved Christmas, there were lots of tips! I even bought a brand new Sears bicycle with my paper route money. 

I was a paperboy for about five years, starting in fifth grade.  The local paper was the Mail Star with the smaller Chronicle Herald was the morning paper. For a couple of years, I delivered both, mostly on my new Sears bike!

At 14 years of age, I fell in love with airplanes. I clearly remember pestering my Dad every weekend to take me to the airport where I would sit for hours watching airplanes land and take off. One Sunday I will never forget was the day I had the opportunity to go for a flight in a 1964 Cessna 172. The flight only lasted 1 hour, but remains in my mind for ever1. I was hooked on flying.

Much later in life, I realized my childhood dream. Becoming a Pilot. I will never forget my first solo flight. My heart was in my throat! My flying adventures eventually lead to landing in remote locations, delivering lobsters and hand bombing newspapers to a lighthouse keeper every Friday afternoon. Yes, I was a pilot/paper boy. Awesome! Although I'm now well into my sixties, I still love dropping by local airfields to watch aircraft land and take off.  It will never grow old for me.

Oh, I don't want to forget to mention one more pleasure. The local corner store that was conveniently located along my paper route. Nothing like a good sugar hit to help me on my deliveries.