Walter Martens was told he would be picked up for a surprise gift, and when the car pulled into the parking lot of the Langley airport terminal building, he began to think it might have something to do with flying.

It was Saturday, Sept. 25, the day before the Abbotsford resident would celebrate his 101st birthday.

His son Harv had booked a flying lesson.

B次元官网网址淎t my age, I had a job crawling in [to the single engine plane],B次元官网网址� Martens told the Langley Advance Times, chuckling.

Up he went, with his great-grandson Jordan Penner recording the flight.

B次元官网网址淚t was a clear day,B次元官网网址� Martens recalled.

B次元官网网址淚 went over the mountains and saw all the rivers and lakes. I was excited.B次元官网网址�

Daughter Eleanor Penner, a Langley resident, said her happy father exited the plane, calling the experience, B次元官网网址渢he best flight ever.B次元官网网址�

At his birthday celebration Sunday, he was still B次元官网网址渇lying high,B次元官网网址� Eleanor remarked.

B次元官网网址淏oy! that was something else,B次元官网网址� Martens told the 45 friends and family who attended the event.

B次元官网网址淚t was unbelievable!B次元官网网址�

It was far from the first adventure for the father of five, grandfather of nine, and great-grandfather of 12 (who is awaiting his 13th grandchild, due next month).

A building contractor who was able to retire early, Martens has enjoyed an active retirement.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 always been adventurous,B次元官网网址� Eleanor said.

Martens went parasailing in Thailand at the age of 68.

He enjoyed water skiing until he was 80, and that year, his birthday gift was a hot air balloon ride.

On his 96th birthday, he went on an ultralight flight.

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When he turned 97, his present was a helicopter flight over Agassiz and Harrison.

For his 98th birthday, Martens went on a float plane ride over Vancouver harbor and Howe Sound.

Martens adventures were interrupted in in March of 2019 when he was injured while crossing a street.

B次元官网网址淢y dad rode his bike around Mill Lake daily for several years,B次元官网网址� Eleanor recounted.

B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, he was hit by a car while in a crosswalk. He made the headlines of the Abbotsford newspaper! Thankfully he has recovered enough to enjoy life again, at a little slower pace.B次元官网网址�

Asked what he thought his 102nd birthday present should be, Martens laughed, then said probably B次元官网网址渟omething smaller.B次元官网网址�