Sam And Saundra's Second Time Around - Part 68

Sam And Saundra’s Second Time Around – Part 68

Alaska 

7/9/11- 8/3/11 – Talon Air Adventure 

Us

Since we are the last group of the day, the guides catch a ride back to civilization on our pontoon plane.  We are full.  One of the guides turns into a copilot and I sit next to Sam.  The pilot is the owner of the Talon Adventure business.  The take off is very, very smooth.  He gains some altitude, but not too much.  Very soon, after a little ‘ooh!’ feeling, a pressure scrambles around the left side of my neck and upper back.  The pressure becomes stronger and travels steadily around and down the back of the left side of my body.  Rolling! Tingling! No fear! I have an urge to hang on for the ride, but do not feel a drop.  Probably center of gravity stuff. Probably centrifugal force stuff. Definitely fun! The pilot has sped up and banked. Our left wing is pointing down – right at a big, dark, moose with a full life-sized set of horns on his head.  Boy did he look regally irritated as he dismissed our presence with a shake of his head and a turning of his body.  He was amazing! 

Them

And Them

Off we zoom, eventually the wings level.  I glanced at Sam – he was hardly green and thoroughly enjoying this trip.  The pilot performed the same maneuver of his craft, so that we could see a whole herd, pod, crew, spattering or whatever, of huge harbor seals, resting on the mud flats of the inlet. As we fly over land again, we observe the extreme snaky shape of the Kenai River. It is a good thing we can travel by car rather than boat, or we would not make it back to Soldotna for another couple of days.

OOOhh!

 We loved this adventure.  The plane trip alone was worth the cost.  When you add the glacier viewing, the fishing (Sam and I took home six more), and the bear watching – what a great deal!  I think I can count my copilot flying time towards a pilot’s license. Pretty sure. Sam – stop cringing! Well at least stop laughing!!