The Scary Helicopter Ride
The most frightening three minutes of my life were flying over water in a small helicopter. Chloe, my friend, was also there to accompany me. It was a surprise that my best friend had reserved for Chloe and me, and boy do I hate surprises.
It was a hot sunny day at Orange beach. My first stop was on a dirt road right beside the beach. I heard the sound of a helicopter nearby. I looked up, and there it was – a black and gray helicopter, which was now landing. Alysia exclaimed, “I booked you guys a three-minute helicopter ride!” My heart began to pound rapidly. Nausea crept up my stomach.
My friends were extremely excited. However, I was scared and ashamed to tell them. “Are you sure this is safe?” I asked with a shaky voice. My friend laughed and said, “We do not have anything to worry about, silly girl”. I tried to pluck up some courage as I walked towards the helicopter. The driver of the helicopter asked, “Who is up first?” I gulped and began to step towards it slowly. I got in and fastened my seatbelt. I whispered to myself, “You can do this. Do not chicken out”.
The pilot revved the engine and it begins to shake as we pulled off. I closed my eyes and grabbed my seatbelt tightly while I said a prayer in my heart. I could feel we were getting higher and higher. Suddenly, the trembling stopped. The pilot told me to look down. I opened my eyes, and there it was – the clear blue ocean. It was so beautiful and deep. I felt the wind brushing against my face, as I flew across the ocean. The people below looked like small ants from where I was. I saw a dolphin and a few fish swimming close to the shoreline. I was still scared – just the thought of flying over water in something so small. My heart began to race as we turned the helicopter around to head back to shore. Once we landed, I was so thankful that I made it back safely. My friends were clapping, and shouting “You did it!” My friends knew my biggest fear was crossing the ocean, being in the air, and being claustrophobic. The surprise turned out to be an opportunity for me to overcome my fears. I was so afraid of getting on the tiny helicopter, but it was not too bad after all. That was the scariest and most exciting three minutes of my life. I felt so alive and free, and I overcame my fear of flying in a helicopter, over water, in very small transportation.
