Jillsy Girl’s One Word Wednesday is soar.
This word immediately brought to mind a great adventure from my recent memory and had me wondering when I was going to do it again.
Soaring
as in a glider ride.
Having the fortunate experience of flying in small airplanes a few times (only a passenger), I came to the conclusion that to enjoy flying you need to feel you are flying. But after my glider ride, I modified that belief. To enjoy flying you need to fly without an engine.
Here’s the craft that gave me this transforming experience.
It’s a two seater. The pilot sits in back and you get to sit in front. With the canopy surrounding you and nothing blocking your view, you really do feel like a bird soaring.
Sitting in front you also get to pull the lever to release the rope from the tow plane. I was shocked that it is a rope (like a water ski rope) and not a cable.
The feeling as you release and look around to see nothing but the wind holding you up is amazing.
I was also given the chance to fly a little. That was another surprise. I thought I could master the foot pedals and stick. Maybe after much more practice but I was more than ready to give control back to the pilot after I jerked the plane to one side and then the other.
While the pilot was flying the ride was smooth with only a small bump or two on our final approach.
Maybe when the warm spring breezes start flowing I’ll get another chance to soar.
from the song “Let Your Love Flow”
“...let your love fly
like a bird on the wing...”
30 comments:
Wow, that is so cool!! I would be much too scared to do that.
I don't know if you keep track (I don't) but you are be the first commenter here the most. I guess my timing of posting and your reading must be in sync. It's a shame I don't give away some prize for being first.
thanks
I went gliding once-- Love it until the landing-- when the noise of the bottom scraping scared the daylights out of me.
Cheers, jj
I've never been in a glider but it sure is something I'd like to experience - even though I don't like flying in small planes much ...
Wow that is so great. You are so lucky and daring to experience that. And you are so right, to experience flying is to do it without the engines and just soar with the wind under your wings. Like sailing, free and un-hinge.
You've done it too Joanna?! Awesome.
I forgot to add that I enjoyed the song. Thank you.
That looks really cool, but I think I'll pass! I hope you get the chance to fly again! Great post!
I would be a great cheerleader watching you from the ground. Ha. Glad it was a good experience for you so much so that you want to do it again. You sure look happy in the little plane with no engine and nothing to keep it from crashing.
How fantastic is that!! But, I have to admit, I might be too much of a chicken to do it myself, but the feeling must have been awesome! Maybe a margarita or two would give me the courage needed to get in the cockpit!
Sounds fun but a little scary!
Looks like so much fun! I have always wanted to hang-glide but have never been brave enough to try it...goo luck with your future soaring!
thanks "free and un-hinge" those are good words to describe it.
Also thanks commenting on other comments, I wish more people did that.
all the best.
yes I felt like a little kid getting a pony ride. The idea of crashing doesn't bother me. They only fly in good weather and accidents are rare. You probably have heard this before but it would be a great way to go. I'm not a daredevil and many activities look too dangerous to me but not this one or skydiving (still on the list).
one margarita maybe but you would not want to get sick in those close confines.
I've never did the hang-gliding thing. I think this is safer. There was mostly farm fields below us the whole time.
the following is NOT soaring at all but all the talk about flying reminded me of this clip I made. Did you ever hear of Redbull's Flugtag? If it comes around to your area - don't miss it.
http://afcsoac.blogspot.com/2008/09/flugtag-chicago-2008.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA3jrghudu4
I am far to attached to my life to allow myself to be in an aircraft without an engine.
Oh, forget skydiving - this is what I want to do!!
You could soar in that on your own. I once flew in a small plane which ended up getting lost. Couldnt imagine a glider - I would feel ike I had lost control altogether but i was born a chicken. I do not like heights but good on you! And yes, I am finding it hard to visit other blogs so thought I should take no comments every odd post or so.
Dont forget to watch Oprah next week re her stay in Australia. Unfortunately we have floods in the top half of Australia at the moment - away from me but I have three siblings, theri families and my parents smack bang in the middle of it but they are all high and dry at this point anyway.
Always fancied soaring/gliding; good tale.
Have a good 2011
I do not have a death wish (rare thing I think) and since it only is done in good weather I consider it safer than much of driving I do. I respect that others find various activities unsettling and fear inducing. We are all different. Thanks for sharing your opinion that I respectfully disagree with.
thanks for stopping by and sharing. Also thanks for the update on the flooding. Some amazing shocking pictures. Good to know it didn't impact you or your family. Watch Oprah? well maybe, are you going to the show?
It's not my opinion - it's my own personal policy regarding aircraft. I don't believe I said anything about what you or anyone else should do.
you are correct you did not make any suggestions about others. I read too much into your comment. sorry about that.
Oh my, gliding sounds like one of the best things ever. Something I would love to get the opportunity to do someday. I actually like flying a lot in concept. It's just crashing and dying that freaks me out. :)
Also, thank you for commenting on my blog ages ago. Naturally, I just came across it TODAY, months later. My apologies for not responding, I was shocked to see you there. :)
I think I found your blog. If not someone just got thanked for visiting me. I noticed you like to answer comments which is a great thing if you have time. I suggest you use the DISQUS comment system because it's easier to reply with the threaded comments.
Thanks for visiting my glider ride! I was offered the chance to control the glider too, but I was having such a beautiful time just experiencing the ride that I chose not to. I thought it would be like trying to drive a stick for the first time.
I hope we both get to soar again!
thanks for browsing over here and reading my post on my glider experience. Yes I would like to do it again.
Good for you to want just enough adventure but not too much danger.
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