For the first time in my life, my view was that of a soaring bird, curving through the clear sky above trees, ponds, the lazy, snaking river and finally, over the cuttings that divide the buildings of this, my favorite summer town.

Although my husband Robin and I have spent summer weeks in Steamboat for years, we have never, until now, stayed until Labor Day. Belatedly, we realize what have we missed…..

Which brings me  to ‘enjoying’ our debut helicopter ride as part of our first ever visit to the Wild West Air Fest.  However, I am not sure ‘enjoying’ would be everyone’s description, as there was no door to keep me in, or handle for me to hang on to!! 

We’d arrived on the first bus from the nearby Stockbridge Centre and the airfield was calm and quite empty apart from the shining aircraft lined up to greet us.  Robin was immediately drawn to the B25, which had flown in the Pacific in the Second World War, then later in Vietnam.  From large craft to small, we could get right up close, as in polish the wings or peer in the windows. Some planes were hardly bigger than a large pram. ‘Yes it takes 12 gallons so we don’t fly far,’ said one old lady who must have been 80!  

Soon a revving bi-plane caught our attention as it prepared for take-off.  Robin looked longingly at the poster offering rides but generously decided we could both do a helicopter ride for the same price.  His kind decision appeared to be rewarded when he was offered the seat in the cockpit while I was led towards the 4 seats behind.

I am not a good flier: for my 40^th birthday Robin arranged a flying lesson near our home in England.  I loved the vista of Cheltenham Racecourse, the sight of Gloucester Cathedral and the views over the River Severn valley; I did not appreciate the sudden ‘drops’ as we hit a hole in the air. Nor was ‘having the Controls’ enough to outweigh my fear as the wing dipped if we turned too fast.  I was glad I’d done it but I suffered for three days until my inner ear balance adjusted to normal.

So, sitting in this open sided copter was a challenge as we took off.  The thrub, thrub sound of the blades steadied me - as someone said later, “It’s when that sound stops you need to worry!”

Then we were swooping above the tree line, gliding alongside the electricity pylons above Hilltop Parkway, following the course of the Yampa, and getting one special view of Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Cemetery and all too soon losing height to land safely back on the airfield.

Oh yes, you get a very different perspective with the eyes of an eagle – that was our
altitude –  and I definitely saw one nearby.

And, Oh Yes,  of course we shall be back next year  for this spectacular event.  See you there!!!