On my flight out of Savoonga to Nome late Wednesday morning, the sun radiated it’s way through the small plane’s window. It was a gorgeous, flaming pink ball of beauty. This isn’t the first time my breath has been taken away in such a situation. The contrast of the sun, the blue sky, and the endless white always makes me feel like God is rewarding me for something… in this case, surviving my last site visit and various other stressors in my life. At any rate, I took the moment to realize that flying in small planes was no longer a challenge for me. I was so proud of myself to be able to feel completely safe and comfortable.
Enter my flight from Nome to Unalakleet…
There is this older than average bush piolot flying for the agency I was booked with to get home to Unalakleet. Wouldn’t you know, it was just the two of us for the hourish flight. I wasn’t nervous at all – until he started going into GREAT DETAIL about the emergency equippment, transmission locator, life jackets (which he claims he used to think were just a way to spot the bodies after a crash, but now he’s convinced they could help… so I should be sure to wear one!), and other safety devices. Normally they just play the briefer, but this man gave me the full rundown. And I began to wonder if he was having a good enough day to be flying.
We made it safely, and it was actually a fine flight. I was happy to make it back on the ground, and I took my pat on the back away from my earlier thought… Flying will probably never seem like second nature to me.
Bill’s getting ready to leave Hawaii tonight. He has some nice updates on his blog, so do go check it out!
Things back home are going alright. I believe I will be heading that direction in a few weeks – it is always nice to be able to look forward to being with my family.
Folks in town are fighting off the flu, and I’m afraid I could be run down enough to get it. So, tonight’s agenda includes a lot of lying around and an early bedtime.
Enjoy your weekend – stay healthy!
So, remember the plane crash in Hibbing awhile ago ;). I’m just kidding. i am glad that you made it from point A to point B safely, and without having to test the lifejackets. I am having insomnia tonite. Bummer. anyway, I hope you are feeling well. You should maybe try April’s “cocktail” of zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C. Let me know when you are coming home. I miss you lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you……Lo
Ah…the bush flights…I HATE them! I have a few memories of puking on them…and then I had kids…which is so fun…on a bush plane…ugh! I couldn’t puke…I had to be brave and be sure that I didn’t scare the kids…so…I got over it…but…I HATE them…glad I had a chance to experience it…but glad I am in Willow…where instead of jumping into a bush plane…I am at the will of my crazy driving..ya know right into our snowbank in the driveway…hee;)
Miss you bunches Erin!
hugs,
tiff:)