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Journal

Alaska, Day One

Looking through a spotting scope that costs more than I made my first year as an airline pilot, my buddy Bryan thinks he’s showing me the beauty of Dall sheep and black bears but there’s more to this image than that. An oft-visited break off the Seward Highway, Beluga Point gives travelers a moment to […]

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Sister Property

Literally “already seen,” I’m staring at what for some may be your standard faire hotel door while lost in my mind trying to remember what the French phrase déjà vu means. In the early 2010s, I had the opportunity to grow as an aviator by serving as a Captain on the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, affectionately […]

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Your Controls

A few days into my social media sabbatical and it so happens to be the same time of the annual pilgrimage to the place with the best cheese curds and the worst weather, AirVenture as it is called by some, Oshkosh by others. Taking care of some chores around the house before another five days […]

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Nostalgia

I’m on my feet, I’m on the floor, I’m good to go. So come on Jimmy, sing me something that I know. I wanna always feel like part of this was mine.

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Muddy Creek

Continuing on July’s resolve to be more selfishly selfless, three more days without the burdens of modern life fit in nicely between five day work blocks. Those unfamiliar with the trek experience may question my fashion choices above, however those familiar know the struggle. Youth members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints […]

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Idaho, Day Six

A somewhat cursory look into the weather for our arrival and our plans consisted of one truth. As foretold by our elders, be home by noon. So that was our plan. Wake early, breakdown camp, and blast south. Stuffing as much into our Cubs prior to retiring to our tents, we planned an 0600 departure […]

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Idaho, Day Five

Beneath these same trees the Patron Saint of Skypark himself once stood, or rather sat. Previous reconnaissance of our new favorite airstrip in Idaho set us up for our current status: relaxing in hammocks underneath the tall pines that survived an apparent inferno years prior. As if on some sort of program, the afternoon winds […]

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Idaho, Day Four

Long talks with the pioneers in the field of backcountry aviation advocacy, my mind kept racing. As the President of the organization, I struggle knowing if I am doing all that I can. Countless task cards on Trello, numerous ideas on improvements we could be making for others, and a watchful eye on the innumerable […]

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Idaho, Day Three

Seizing every moment possible, the first child awake and I departed Smiley Creek northbound for Big Creek. A well-deserved breakfast after one of the most awe-inspiring approaches to a mountain airstrip were in order, and surely making the trip with Josh, whom was the first person I’ve flown into Big Creek (which coincided with my […]

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Journal

Idaho, Day Two

A night of much-needed rest in 39°F evening mountain air invigorated an already well-vigorated adventurer and his best friend. Heading straight towards the Patron Saint of Skypark’s favorite airstrip in Idaho, Upper Loon. Approaching it from a different direction than most, the usual constrictions and Hidden Splendor characteristics didn’t set off any alarms as an […]