flying
Usually there is nothing that makes my troubles disappear faster than to get in the car and head down the highway on a beautiful afternoon. Sunday afternoon I got an even better offer from my friend M to go flying in his little two-seat airplane. Actually I had been wanting to do this again anyway because I wanted to check out things from the air around our property on Lake Palo Pinto.
Riding in a small plane is exciting because it feels dangerous. Roller coasters are the same way. Actually it is probably safer than crossing the busy highway to go to church on Sunday morning. But when you realize that you are a half-mile in the air in a space the size of an old VW Beetle it is hard not to feel a little anxiety.
At 140 mph we made it to our destination like it was nothing. No traffic either. There was one airliner crossing our space way above and another small plane in the distance. Actually except for the engine noise and the sudden bumps when it seemed like the plane fell out from below me it was more relaxing than being on the freeway. I could probably get used to this.
The big fun is seeing things from the air and realizing how much you miss by living in the two-dimensional world on the surface. The relationships between places seem entirely different. Things that seemed far apart are revealed as being very close. And there are all those things that you never knew existed. Now exploring the roads will take on a different meaning to me.
Posted by Bill Hopkins on January 17, 2005 05:46 PMI Love being up high and looking down, but I HATE the take offs and landings!! Scares the CRAP outa me. And turbulance SUCKS!!!
Posted by: mary lou at January 18, 2005 03:03 PMWhat a neat experience for you. Several years ago a very dear friend of mine (a retired Army Col. who flew in WW2, Korea & Vietnam) gave to me as a birthday gift a ride in a WW2 bi-plane - open cockpit, helmet & goggles - the whole she-bang! We flew over the north of St. Louis area where the Mississippi, the Missouri, & the Illinois rivers all come together - it was a most incredible experience!! I took lots of pictures, however it was before I was into digital so can't post anything. He wanted to fly upside down but I didn't think I could tolerate that - I said "Maybe next time". Unfortunately there won't be a next time as he is now disabled & will never fly again. But I do treasure that gift that he gave to me.
Posted by: Dottie at January 18, 2005 09:05 PMI have never been in a small plane, but usually when the big jets I travel on descend to this altitude, I feel a great sense of relief because it seems to me that if I can pick out roads and buildings, then I can probably survive a crash from that height. Which I guess is ridiculous, but that is how I relieve the anxiety of the flight. The truth probably would be closer to a Coyote/Road Runner cartoon.
Posted by: Suzette at January 19, 2005 09:55 AMThose pictures are fantastic! I've never been in a two-seater and doubt I ever will, but it sure is pretty up there.
Kim and her family (Causin' a Kimmotion) got to ride -- and navigate! -- a blimp last year. Those pictures were pretty amazing too.
Posted by: Leslie at January 19, 2005 12:06 PMLast Thanksgiving my brother in law flew me in his Piper Comanche around Winston-Salem North Carolina. I loved watching the propeller right there in front of me pull us forward. The pilot has been flying since he was 16 and is now 50. I felt completely safe in his hands with all of his new electronic equipment. He did say that my only job up there was to watch for other general aviation craft. I saw one.
I took only one set of pictures as we descended, but your views of the lake are beautiful. Flying does give one a different perspective on the land.
thelrd in TEXAS
Posted by: Larry Davis at January 19, 2005 09:05 PM