THE AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE

April 1 - May 6, 2004

There are eight of us embarking on the “Australian Adventure”.

Jim Knuppe, a veteran aviator, is owner of the Citation EXCEL Jet which will carry us from the Bay Area across 3 states, and 6 countries, making 24 stops and flying 25,319 nautical miles. Jim is the pilot in command of “The Dream Machine”. He has flown the circumference of every continent in the world except for Australia – which he will do this trip. Jim and his wife Bobbie are consultants to 5 A Rent-A-Space business.

Bobbie Knuppe, Jim’s wife, is our #1 stewardess. Always at his side, Bobbie has flown around the world with Jim. Their adventures include a couple of world air races, taking second place in the Turkish air race Olympics, flying the continent of Africa, and now - the Australian Adventure! Bobbie is involved with her 3 children and 10 grandchildren, volunteer work for the community and Alzheimer’s Assn. She and Jim hold honorary Doctor of Law degrees.

Steve Dennis, our co-pilot, started flying at age 16 and served in the US Air Force. He owns a twin engine Comanche. Steve flies single engine, twin engine, glider, seaplane, and jet. But does not trust and will not fly in hot air balloons! Steve is a supervisor of air traffic controllers for the FAA’s Northern California TRACON (NORCAL).

Lynn Dennis, Steve’s wife, is a flight attendant on the trip. In her other life, Lynn is a radiation therapist working in the field since 1976, and has enjoyed all the different people she has met over the years and being of service. Lynn and Steve live in Granite Bay and enjoy outdoor sports and activities. They backpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Jerome Blaha, our purser, owned his own coin shop on Castro Valley Boulevard at age 15, and enjoys playing with money. He is our official trip photographer and has brought along his first digital camera, a birthday gift from his son. When not flying, Jerome is an attorney in Pleasanton.

Melanie Blaha, the trip’s journalist, lives with Jerome in Castro Valley. They accompanied the Knuppe’s on their Great African Adventure 2 years ago. Melanie works in San Francisco at the US Environmental Protection Agency as the International Activities Coordinator, and coordinates visits for foreign delegations and dignitaries. She has 2 grown children, JJ and Jen.

“Senator” Gene Paul, of Toledo Ohio, and Phyllis his wife of 56 years are our trip dignitaries. Gene, a decorated veteran of WWII with 11 engagements in the South Pacific, has co-piloted World Air Races with Jim. They are good friends, flying buddies, and really enjoy each other’s company. Gene is the king of one-liners, and owner of Gene Paul Enterprises.

Phyllis Paul, Gene’s wife, flew with the Knuppe’s and Blaha’s on the Great African Adventure in 2002. A seasoned traveler and R.N., Phyllis provides balance and common sense to the group. Phyllis has 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and is so proud of her very first great grandchild, a little girl named Tyler, who was just born in August. Neither Phyllis nor Gene have ever visited Australia before.

During the trip, we will post a daily journal and photos on this website. We are taking turns writing the Daily Journal, to give you the flavor of 8 people and 8 perspectives.

So, come join us via cyber space on the great Australian Adventure!