Into The Wild Blue Yonder

Yes, Troutbirder recently went soaring with the eagles! All of this was courtesy of neighbor Dick. The last time Dick had called to see if I wanted to go for a plane ride, I passed on the opportunity. That week I had experienced two emergency room visits due to a bike crash and an embedded fishing hook in my finger.

In addition, I had banged my knee into the trailer hitch on the pickup truck. "No thanks,' I had said. It just didn't seem to be my lucky week. This time, though, I jumped at the opportunity feeling a whole lot better about my prospects in general.

We soon headed off to the county airport where the flying club keeps it plane.

The pre-flight check list looked pretty detailed and intense. I kept a low profile thinking that something forgotten or faulty would be a lot more serious than when riding in a car. Another plane was practicing "touch and goes" as I waited.

Dick notified for take off, the runway was soon clear and we were heading into the setting sun. I felt the surge of power... then lift off.

"How fast are we going?" I asked. "A little over a hundred," is the reply. Hey... I knew I wasn’t riding with "Top Gun" Tom Cruise in the movie. We were high enough and going fast enough to suit my taste.

"Where would you like to like go? Maybe the river?" Dick asked. Looking at my watch and the angle of the sun, I changed the subject. "Er, well, ah.... flown much at night have you?" I queried. "Once or twice. It’s no problem," he replied quickly . He is a big kidder. "I’m working on expanding my boundaries," he added. I suggested some nearby sights.
We headed off to take a look at the newly completed bike trail.

Later we turned south and headed toward Cherry Grove. Passing over the Goethite Wildlife Management area, I recognized some of my favorite birding trails and Barons swimming holes.

Then it was over the "Big Woods" north of Mabel-Canton. I had recently gotten lost driving in that area. It didn't look so imposing from a thousand feet. Finally, we headed home into a beautiful sunset.

"Can you spot the airport yet?" I was asked. Hoping we weren't lost, I had to admit for most of the flight I didn't have a clue. I didn't even recognize the towns. From a birds eye view it all looks so different. "Oh there it is" he said, as he turned on the runway lights. Smooth as silk, we landed without hardly a bump. What fun. Tom Cruise. Who needs him???