Birthday Highs

Happy Birthday to me!!!! Well, a few days ago (May 15). Don't ask me how old I am. I won't tell you. Well, maybe I will. But just don't ask. I wouldn't want you to experience rejection. For sure, don't ask my husband. He'll tell you in a heartbeat.

Last year (2008) he afforded me the opportunity to fly in a helicopter for the first time. Now that was something that took mucho nerve for me. You would think having flown and passing my FAA exam, I would be fearless. Not so. The culprit? For years I had nightmares about falling out of a helicopter (OK, get out your dream interpretation books).

So this was a big jump for me. A jump into the friendly skies of Dallas. Though that day they didn't seem so friendly; it was one bumpy ride.

To top it off, the copter was not as big as a Smart car (see photo on the left). You know the cars that get 60 miles to the gallon and you pay the higher price later. When you have to go see a chiropractor. Honestly, they don't even look as big as my grandkids riding Tonka Trucks!

This copter was a two-seater. If your bohiney was any wider than what would fit in a child's car seat, good luck.

Robinson-22 BETA II
So what was I to do? I mean the pressure was on. My royal blue chariot awaited me on the runway. Whirring eloquently in the wind. Beckoning me. How could I possibly resist? After all, it was free, just for me.

Free or not, I felt a price getting ready to be paid. And I didn't want it to be my life. But it was now or never. I decided that if was my time, I would go out making headlines. "Birthday Girl Flies To Heaven".

I was distracted when I heard, "Keep your head down, ma'am." Keep my head down? Huh? "The blades, ma'am." The blades? I don't think I want anymore explanation. Like I needed to know I could die before I even leave the ground. What was I thinking? What was my husband thinking? Maybe we shouldn't go there.

It was all or nothing. And I've rarely turned away a daring event staring me in the face. This was going to be no different. I could feel it coming on. That nerve thing; dopamine and serotonin.

I couldn't help but think about the time I went down an overflowing N.C. mountain river in a one man raft. Ah yes, when I didn't know how to swim. That's another story. I'm still here to tell about it, so I guess that means something. Courage or sheer stupidity? Maybe both.

Meanwhile, back at the airport, I ran to the copter, throwing all fears behind. For sure, I ducked my head. First things first.

My handsome pilot patiently awaited my tardy arrival. He greeted me with a cheery, "Hello birthday girl." Girl? He needs to get those goggles off.

With not a moment to spare or think, we were off. No way to go back now. I was holding on for life.

My first question? "You are so young, how long have you been flying this thing?"
"OH, I started about a month ago." was his tart response. Did he see my head jerk and my eyes nearly pop out of my head when he gave me that devilish grin? Comforting me, he admitted he was the lead pilot with many hours in his log book. Geeee, when did he start, when he was 10?

We rocked and rolled all through the blue skies of downtown Dallas (pic below). The winds were up, just my luck. I just kept thinking about being back home, nestled in the safety of my living room. Blowing out candles, or something with better safety features to celebrate.

A warm breeze suddenly trickled across my face. And I calmed down enough to notice just how beautiful it was up there in the open sky. Indeed, it was breath taking. In more ways than one!

While I can't say that I was fearless the rest of the way, that I didn't continue to hold on with a death grip, I did chill enough to enjoy the thrill of it.

Would I do it again? Not for another 29 years. That is how old I am, isn't it????
NOTE: the piston engine maximum speed is 110 mph and gets 10 gallons per hour!