Weathering Heights . . .

Wednesday afternoon heading back to Kodiak - 5/27/10

The pilot taxied out to take off for the flight along the coast to Karluk and as we broke ground and climbed to about 50 feet above ground level (AGL) to the end of the runway as we flew past the lodge we banked sharply to the left and headed out over the bay.  We climbed to about 300 feet and bounced our way around the island toward Karluk.  We flew just off shore along the rock outcroppings and worked our way to the homecoming for a mother and daughter with the family.  As we flew along they kissed each other and glad to be returning home after a few days in Kodiak for a school function. 

There had been a music function and many of the kids on the island were brought to Kodiak to participate.  This happens all over the state with school kids flying to sporting events, music outings, and other functions as needed giving some sense of normalcy within the communities.

As we flew over the village along the coast we could see a pickup truck heading up the road to the airport to meet our passengers.  They were excited to be home and did not care that it was snowing hard and the wind blowing the small plane around as we touched down.  The pilot made his way off the runway and began unloading the cargo to be dropped off for the village.  The other passengers got out and the wind and snow was blowing in through the doors bringing in a chill into the warm cabin.  We remained on the ground for about ten minutes as another guy hopped aboard shaking Brian and my hand as he climbed into his seat. 

We quickly took off and as we headed back toward Larsen Bay we retraced our flight path staying about 250 feet above the choppy waves below us.  Flights in these small airplanes are usually quite among those on board as many wear earplugs and you cannot hear over the engine noise.  During the nonverbal part of the flight it was strange thinking that this guy had come onboard, shook my hand and turned around buckling his seatbelt.  Everyone was quiet and my thoughts turned to the fact that if something should happen and we ended up in the freezing water I had shaken this persons hand but had not introduced ourselves.  Strange perceptions during unknown situations surely allow the mind to wander.

We touched down again in Larsen and quickly gathered up the new cargo and the other passenger.  He was a fisherman going to a meeting in Kodiak and would return in the morning on the return scheduled flight.  The snow had not let up so we hurried to get back into the air and head up the coast the long way back to Kodiak.  The Coast Guard had been flying around several times during the afternoon landing the helicopter performing touch and go approaches and landings.

The days are getting longer now but with the cloud cover and snow it seemed like it was getting dark while we headed for Kodiak.  We stayed low over the water and after about ten minutes later flew out of the snow squall and into a bit cheerier environment.  We had weathered the storm and our heights were on the up rise now.  It was lighter outside but still overcast so we continued our low level jaunt around the north side of the island.  The constant drone of the engines was only shattered when the propellers became slightly out of sync and the tone changed to a repetitive change it pitch which lasted what seemed like an hour.  In truth it was only a couple minutes before the pilot had both engines running the same rpm going back to the single sound drowning out everything else.

As we approached Kodiak there were several float planes landing at several of the seaport bases in the area.  I looked outside the window and saw a Coast Guard C-130 flying low over the water.  The Coast Guard Base is on the other side of the airport from where the commercial planes go to their terminal for boarding so it is not uncommon to see their aircraft, planes and helicopters taking off or landing.

We make our quick right turn from base leg to final on our approach into the Kodiak airport and the pilot really hits the brakes hard to stop before crossing one of the taxi lines for one of the other runways.  We sit there for about twenty seconds when the C-130 flight came into view on the other runway.  The pilot put the engines in reverse just as he was beside us and the noise was deafening even with ear plugs in as they slowed on the runway.  We were cleared to follow the Coast Guard flight down the runway so we could taxi to the terminal.  We turned right onto the ramp while they turned left off the active runway onto the taxiway leading over to the Coast Guard Base.

We checked in with the airlines to see if we could get an earlier flight back to Anchorage since we had reservations for tomorrow night.  The flight was almost full but we were able to get on and while we were at the counter getting boarding passes the flight arrived.  They unloaded the passengers and cargo and began loading the plane for the return flight.  Brian and I stood up by the entrance to the ramp for boarding so we could get the bulkhead seats.  After about thirty minutes we were airborne again climbing up through the overcast cloud layer.

Sitting there as we reached our cruising altitude I realized that we had climbed out above the clouds and we were back in the daylight even though it was after ten o’clock at night.  Spring is here finally and the living is easy.

After a long week we landed in Anchorage and headed for parts unknown, ready to get back to the realities of work, life, and the pursuit of happiness.

Projects are starting, every one of us are buying out the materials and arranging shipping to the remote jobsites as well as designing new projects for next season.  As the days grow longer, the temperatures are climbing into the 50’s and 60’s and most of my friends are eagerly awaiting the fish to return to the rivers so our battle of wits in the fine art of fly fishing can begin.

So much for my week . . . how’s yours going?

Ice