By Happenstance

British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, 1940: Walter grows up playing in the orchards, but his idyllic childhood doesn't last long. When his family moves to a rough patch of land on Vancouver Island, responsibility lands on Walter, and hard work becomes second nature.After high school, Walter pursues a career as a teacher - respectable, stable employment. But something doesn't feel right. A small newspaper ad catches his eye: an introductory flying lesson. One half-hour in the air is all it takes. He's hooked. That single flight sets him on a course into the vast, unforgiving landscapes of Canada's North - flying for larger-than-life bosses and learning, flight by flight, to trust his skill, his instincts, and, when circumstances demand it, a little divine intervention. By Happenstance: Walter's Story is a memoir for readers of aviation history, pioneering life, and true stories of unlikely paths. Walter's Story is one half of the By Happenstance stories.