I've had some hairy flights in small planes. Some shaky ones in jet airliners as well. I've even survived a crash. But today, I got nervous for the first time in a loooonnng time.
After the plane picked me up, we stopped in Nondalton for 5 passengers, then in Iliamna for 3 more.
After taking off, the pilot started climbing for a higher altitude, hoping to get above the low clouds and gusty winds. Well, we did...eventually. At around 6000 feet we hit some of the most violent turbulence I've ever had the misfortune to experience. There was a lot of sudden updrafts, followed by massive downdrafts. My cranium had many intimate encounters with the roof of the cabin, none of which were enjoyable. We were all being thrown around the cabin like rag dolls for only 20 seconds, but it felt like 20 minutes. One second the nose is pointed at the sky and the plane is climbing like a lovesick angel, the next moment it's plunging to earth in a 75 degree angle. There was one lady who really thought we were goners, and the noises she was making are probably going to give me nightmares tonight!
However, we made it, and the remainder of the flight was relatively smooth and uneventful. Life is nothing without adventure, but I think that there's a lot to be said for the staid and predictable!
By the way, the picture above is my Mom (on the left) and Roz Goodman at our annual Thankgiving potluck. Even though most of the residents were out of town, we still had a great turn-out!
Q'uo
4 comments:
Sounds like that was a bad ride! I am glad that it all ended well and you and the rest of the people are safe.
Your Mom looks like she is taking a nap with her eyes open.
Glad you made it. Its always the landings that make me nervous in those puddle jumpers you villagers fly in.
Glad you are safe. I do enjoy your web site and blog.
Glad you made it. I do enjoy your web site and blog. Thanks, and keep it up.
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