My story begins with a truck ride up a long curvy road, with my heart beating faster the closer we get to the launch site.  My nervous laughter is in the air, with thoughts trying to control my emotions to a calmer self.   Are you wondering why I'm filled with trepidation?  The answer is simple, I'm driving up to my first launch site, getting ready to fly off the mountain with a pilot known as Big Wally. 

While were driving, Wally is telling me the basics about taking a tandem flight, hoping to make me more comfortable.  As he's talking I realize he's not the least bit nervous.  Wally tells me he has been flying for ten years now, with flights around the world.  With this, my nervousness begins to fade.

We finally reach the launch site, Wally helps me put on the flying harness I will use during my first flight, then he does the same for himself.  While Wally is unfolding his wing he keeps on talking to me, showing me other pilots and explaining all of the safety mechanisms on the wing and harnesses.   There seems to be a buzz in the air from the rest of the pilots, being filled with anticipation for their flight with the ravens.  All of this is really making me get in the mood of the flight, so much so that I forgot I was very nervous 10 minutes prior.

As he is attaching the wing to my harness and his, he explains to me that I am the motor while he is the controls.   Meaning, he will tell me 1,2,3, ready then I begin walking.  He will control the wing to bring it up in the air then tell me to run. 

So here goes, we are attached to the wing and now its my turn to be the motor.  Wally begins by saying "O.K. 1,2,3, ready", I then begin walking with my heart beating faster by each step I take.  Wally pulls the wing up over his head, with that I feel a slight tug on my harness, and my throat going down to my stomach.  I'm thinking to myself, what have I gotten myself into.  However, as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I heard Wally's voice telling me to run.  So I begin

running as fast as I could keeping my eyes on the horizon.  Before I knew it, I'm in the air still running my legs off, just like the Wyle E Coyote on the Warner Brothers cartoons.

Wally mentioned that at this time I can sit back in my harness and enjoy my ride.  I pushed myself back into the harness, and was mesmerized at how comfortable and calm my experience was.  I watched with amazement as some birds (local pilots) flew by, including a hawk.   Circling around us, showing Wally where the uplift was.  

I became increasingly calmer as the flight progressed, but also more excited about being up in the air.  This, truly is the closest thing to flying with the birds.  

Now all I can think about is going up for another ride.  Enjoying the moment of walking on the clouds and flying with the birds.

With that said, let me voice my opinion, a person truly hasn't lived until they've flown.

To view the photos I took, please click on the below image.

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Or telephone Big Wally 307.690.3563, Tom Bartlett 307.690.4948 or Scott Harris 307.690.8726