One turn of the steering wheel

After 3 days of sitting in the rain at Talkeetna we gave up hope of seeing Denali or landing on a glacier. This was definitely a bucket list adventure item.
Monday morning we had decided to head out to the Kenai peninsula and give up on seeing Denali, the highest mountain in North America. We stopped at the intersection of the airport and the south bound highway. OK let's take one last check on a flight. Skye the girl in the Sheldon office said they might be able to fly about 10 a.m. so we decided to hang around. Yep, Skye is her real first name. Holly Sheldon, Don Sheldon's daughter came into the office and asked why we choose them for our flight.
I replied because of Don Sheldon. You can find out about him just goggle his name.
We squeezed into the Cessna 185. I got to ride as the co-pilot. Because of my flying experience I could help him spot aircraft. They had pulled the co-pilots yoke(steering wheel) so I couldn't get us into trouble, I guess. We toured around the area towards Denali and and from 9,000 feet we coud see the mountain. Descending down through mist and clouds we tried to fly up the Eldridge Glacier but it was socked in.
We continued on to the Ruth Glacier. Flying up the glacier we had granite walls on both sides of us.
Light rain and flat light was a challenge but our pilot made a great landing. We bounced and slid to a stop at 6,000 ft and on top of 4,000 ft of ice.
We spent about 25 minutes walking around and taking pictures in the rain. Climbed back into the 185 and down the glacier we went. The engine at that altitude develops about half the horse power but the glacier falls away at 500 ft per minute. Bob.

Yes, what a thrill of a lifetime we had just experienced! I would have given my eye teeth to do this and I would also do it in the rain if I had to again. You can't imagine the beauty of nature when you see it at 6,000 feet. If I sound mushy - I am. It almost brings tears to my eyes when I think about those few hours of flight. Denali is such a mystery to me as it has alluded us 3 years ago and again this time - but not by air! So beautiful and only the 1/3 of the top!
Also met some wonderful people, David and Holly, owners and daughter of Don Sheldon Skye, the receptionist, Jock, the pilot - he was so interesting to listen to as he described what we were seeing; Tilly, the young granddaughter of Don Sheldon, who was Bob's hero in a lot of ways. And then, there was Daishi Sato, a young photographer from Japan. We took to him instantly as he was such a personable young man who has such an adventurous life. I believe a young man who is living his dream. And Daishi, if you see this - we truly send our best wishes to you on your journey through life - you have the right idea and would love to meet you again sometime soon.
"We will see you down the road somewhere."