The First Time I Flew (For Real) - BLOG POST 1

It was March 3^rd, 2014 and there was no way the contraption sitting on the runway in front of me was an airplane. It looked more like a taxi, or as my illogical fear was telling me – a coffin with wings. I was getting cold feet, and not just because it was a blistery winter day in Northern Michigan.

My two good friends and I had decided to go to Mackinac Island for Spring Break. One of them owned a condo on the island and it seemed like a perfect, isolated retreat from school that we all needed. There was one problem: the lake was still frozen, meaning the ferry that usually transports visitors from the mainland was shut down. The only other option was a short flight…on this…”thing”

Now after being more educated, I clearly understand that this “thing” was just a really old airplane from before the jet age, but the 2014 model of me was alarmed. I was used to Boeing 747s. This was parked outside of a dinky little office building with a waiting room. There was no security, no bag check, no TSA strip searching you, and no delays! The ticket was only $25.

I was beginning to think this wouldn’t be so bad. Nevertheless we took precautions. The three of us were carting a heavy amount of alcohol to the island so we all took a shot in the car for good measure. Then, it was time.

We climbed up the wing to get in the door of the airplane. I sat in the back with the heaping pile of luggage that we were about to drag across the Mackinac tundra. There was a feeling of terror permeating the air of the cockpit – at least coming from the three of us – the pilot (Thank God) was calm and relaxed. As we got in position for takeoff, I was relentlessly reciting prayers: “Our Father”…we reached the start of the runway…”Who art in Heaven”…we began to accelerate…”Hallowed be the name”…dear god the wheels left the ground…”Thy Kingdom come”…This was it –we were all going to die…”On Earth as it is in Heaven”…then something miraculous happened – we were off.

I suddenly understood why all those crazy gents hopped into unstable flying contraptions at the dawn of the 20^th century. There was nothing quite so thrilling as that moment. Unlike commercial flights, I felt like I was truly flying. It was as if I had sprouted wings and this machine was merely surrounding me. The view took my breath away. We soared for such a brief time, my only wish was that it could’ve been longer. Still, the imprint was made in my mind and heart. The puffy gray clouds punctured by subtle streams of sunlight, the great icy lake dotted with daring travelers, the magnificent Mackinaw Bridge – a man made wonder that perfectly contrasted the backdrop of God’s creation. It was beauty. It was peace. It was fulfillment. THIS is flying, I thought to myself.

I went back on a conventional flight that summer. It was boring. It was uninspiring. It was commonplace. I longed again for the “flying taxi” my spirit had delighted in just months before. Someday I hope to ride in another vehicle that makes my heart flutter in the same way – just to feel once more what the Wright brothers felt more than 100 years ago.