Neil's Place

Direct route from the Summit

So I was at the Mozilla Summit in Whistler this year. Take note, it’s not a good idea to go on any kind of trip to somewhere that involves a two and a half hour bus ride a few days before you’re getting married. As everyone at the summit now knows, there was a large rockslide last night which blocked the only real road back to Vancouver (where the airport is). What was my first reaction to this? Panic! What was my second reaction? More panic!

The other longer route wasn’t a good option; it takes seven hours. Instead, Mozilla folks found a way to get me on a floatplane back. This is one of those tiny planes that lands on the water, and if I was in a movie, would be required to catch by jumping off a dock just as it takes off and hanging onto the pontoon. But since I’m not in a movie, I got a regular seat.

Here’s a picture of one of the planes. It isn’t the plane that I took but a different one waiting for a selection of the large contingent of stuck people.

I’d like to thank Dan and Mark for setting up the plane and for driving me out to the dock. I’m in Vancouver now and should have no problem getting to my wedding on time.

Oh, and here’s a picture of the rockslide which I took while we were flying over it.

7 Responses to “Direct route from the Summit”

  1. Eric Shepherd Says:

    Glad you made it out!

  2. Taras Says:

    Best of luck..and this is one my favourite planet moz blog posts ever.

  3. David Humphrey Says:

    Neil,

    I’m so glad to hear that you you made it, and I wish you all the best on your wedding day. What an amazing story and experience. When your hair turns gray next week, you’ll know why.

    Dave

  4. Brian King Says:

    Congrats and many happy returns on the wedding. Glad one of us got out alive!

  5. markpeak Says:

    Hope you enjoy it and congrat!

  6. Peng’s links for Thursday, 31 July « I’m Just an Avatar Says:

    […] two and a half hours.Luckily Neil Deakin, who didn’t have that many hours to spare, found an even better route to Vancouver, so he won’t have to be late for his own […]

  7. jmdesp Says:

    Reading about the floatplane option earlier I thought it was just a joke and nobody would do it really.
    Congrats for the trip and your weeding too ! :-)
    Maybe the bride is jealous now only you could take that plane ;-)

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