CFB Cold Lake
nobody@nowhere
CFB Cold Lake...
A Base Brat Returns.
Story and photos by Dave Lowery
I drove past the CF-104 in Grand Centre with the same familiar feeling
from over 30 years ago when Dad first plunked this wonder-struck kid into the
cockpit at age five. A little farther along was an F5 mounted beautifully and
still, I think, the best looking aircraft, though not as great performing Dad
says. A rather quick and informal pass issue and I was on THE BASE.
For a former base brat, intense feelings of belonging, history,
growing up and sadness at leaving quickly rose. We had lived here from 1960 -
1964 then again from 1968 - 1971. The latter departure, at the end of grade
seven, still a traumatic memory. And though seven years isn't long for most
families, in the Forces it was a lifetime. I didn't want to leave my perfect
14-year-old world where all friends were within a short walk. Almost every
summer day we would bicycle on our “Mustang” three speeds (with sissy bar and
stick shift... we were soooo cool) to the pool. Summer nights were spent at
the Rec centre theatre, Elvis movies were a particular favorite. A few summer
weeks were spent at English Bay or Marie lake swimming, fishing and not
worrying about our evolving complicated world.
Winters were cold. So cold I remember waiting at the bus stop at six
or six thirty a.m. with a friend whose coat would constantly crack and break
in -40°. We attended grade five in seven a.m. to one p.m. or noon to six p.m.
shifts as there were so many base brats. That year, 1969, the temperature
hovered below -20° F for six weeks. I thought it was great though my parents
probably got sick of square tires on the car. The funniest memory was watching
a VW bug drive backwards in traffic through the valley between Tintown and
Athabasca. I can only assume the transmission froze in reverse.
So what's changed since 1971? Not much. It was a twilight-zone, eerie
feeling on a run around the Base. It first took me to Pinochio, a retired DC-3
aircraft with a pointy nose used for CF -104 radar navigation training at one
time. She still looks funny and Mum flew more than once to Edmonton on it when
she couldn't handle any more catalogue shopping. Next was Athabasca school
where I went to grades six and seven, and where our teachers, Miss Zaichovsky
and Mr. Wilks tried in vain to keep us in line. After that, over a bridge
through the valley (how many times did that bridge crumble before they finally
built it up) and then Tintown, or Medley as it was formally known. Tintown was
supposed to be temporary housing when we moved there in 1963. East of there
was our house at #111 Martineau (do you still have the sump pump), and then by
#50 Martineau where my best friend Robert Haynes lived (or was it #44?).
Behind #44 a clearing through the trees brought me to a wooden bridge — the
shadow must be the only original part — and where a fast running creek tried
to wash me away while dangling at arms length from the side. And what happened
to the stocked fish pond behind Beaver? I wasn't there long enough to catch
anything but it was a great idea. A quick detour into the Centennial Centre
to find a locked bathroom door and a library where I first “danced close” with
Sandra Flynn. It was built around 1967 and became a hub of sorts for Scouting
activities and hobbyists. Its woodworking area produced a beautiful speed boat
of which we were all rather envious. Life lessons were learned there too... a
first Scout dance party, and my first infatuation. It was also the location
for a Scout meeting where I remember acting like a “complete jerk” (as my son
would now say) the night my Dad had to give away one of our cats. “Too
destructive” was the reason and I didn't fully appreciate what Dad went
through or why I had acted that way until I had to have a cat put down and
explain to my kids.
And finally to my beloved Rec Centre. I was going to dart inside but
the uniformed airman at the door looked a little too intimidating. I could see
the tuck shop was gone and so was the snack bar where, if we had lots of
money, 25 cents would buy a huge (or so it seemed) bag of french fries.
Farther along, a chicken place... don't remember that and a clothing store now
occupies what used to be the Post office. I can still see Dad emerging from
it, smug smirk on his face, claiming “no mail” and Mum not believing...
rightly so. (She was, and is, so smart.)
CFB Cold Lake was much, much smaller than I remember but, except for
a few added buildings, everything appeared virtually the same. The F5's and
104's peeling off over PMQ's before landing have been replaced by F-18's,
though T-Birds still make an appearance. The gravel shoulders, narrow
residential streets, and houses appear the same, though most need paint. My
chain swing at McKenzie school still waits and beside it the one I saved for
close friends in grade five. (Someone walking their dog thought it a bit odd
at 6:30 a.m. during my run break, but I had to test the swings.) The toboggan
hill between Martineau and Athabasca has shrunk... I've grown 10 inches since
leaving but the hill had to have been 100 feet higher in 1971.
Though I wouldn't have been in it, the Officer's mess appears
basically the same, though newly painted in dark blue. I recognized the names
Beliveau and Johnson in the CF-104 poker picture in the bar (aircraft #'s 701,
702, 703, 704, 705) and some names on the 25th anniversary officers mess
plaque such as Huddleston. Apparently he sat under a table at our house party
in Tintown one evening conversing with the dog. (The General is enjoying
retirement I'm told.) Despite a cursory search, Ed and Eleanor Lowery's name
couldn't be found on the wall, though their friends and squadrons are there.
But that's Mum and Dad's story.
— 30 —
Word Count 1011
If any of the story above triggers a memory or incident, or you remember me,
please contact me at: low...@cadvision.com
nobody@nowhere
In article <4sbtmo$37...@elmo.cadvision.com>, nobody@nowhere wrote:
Oops, not too familiar with newsgroups yet. This article was published in the
Spring issue of AirForce Magazine. See below for information if you would like
to respond to this.
Thanks.
>A Base Brat Returns.
>Story and photos by Dave Lowery
>If any of the story above triggers a memory or incident, or you remember me,
>please contact: low...@cadvision.com