FreeFall

FreeFall

The plane gained 5,000ft rather slowly in large upward circles. The sun was nearing the horizon and the distant hills were darkening into shadow. I sat on the floor next to the pilot and watched the ground get farther and farther away through the bottom opening on the half door. Looking straight down over the […]

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The Worst Work Day

The Worst Work Day

During the summers while I attended college I worked for my father’s helicopter agriculture spray company. My job was to drive around in a large truck with a 1900 gallon water tank, mix up chemicals and fertilizers and with main rotor blades running load up the aircrafts tanks. I was the loader. One day our […]

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Aarti-Hardiwar, India

Aarti-Hardiwar, India

We had waited for dark for nearly an hour, sitting on the steps with our feet in the cold water. I shifted back and forth for comfort on the hard surface until the music and chanting started. The sun dropped red behind the buildings and the Ganges flowed fast as the priests lit the torches […]

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Uluru, Australia

Uluru, Australia

I had scrambled up the red monolith as sunset approached. I moved as fast as I could over the rust colored rock but had no idea how far I had to go. The high point was nearly a mile from the crest and the uneven up and down took longer than expected. I reached the […]

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Bartle Frere (Queensland), Australia

Bartle Frere (Queensland), Australia

The hike began in an empty parking lot. I was alone and saw no one as I hiked. The trail was hacked out of humid, decaying vegetation that rose into the canopy – mucky in spots and root bound, making me claustrophobic.  The top was shrouded in clouds as I stopped, looked around then quickly […]

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