So there I was on Saturday, taking in the view of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse and the surrounding areas as I was hang gliding.
You read me right. Most of you know that I am not a daredevil. My idea of risky behavior is going on a first date wearing jeans I bought at Wal-Mart.
But instead of jumping off a cliff and letting the prevailing winds keep me aloft, I took advantage of a new option offered at the airport. Airborne Over Cody provides rides in the “microlight” planes that use fabric wings you see on hang gliders, but the planes are propeller-driven with the pilot and passenger strapped in to a cockpit.
We took off on a glorious blue-sky Absaroka Mountain morning and headed south toward Meeteetse. I wanted to land and make a visit to the “Cowboy Chocolatier” but that idea was unceremoniously nixed. While I am 
not happy about that decision, I guess I can live with it.
After a right turn over Lower Sunshine Reservoir we flew up to Buffalo Bill State Park. Everybody around here knows the story of how the dam was built so that the North Fork of the Shoshone River could be used to irrigate the region’s crops, but you never really get the perspective of a man-made lake until you fly over it.
Continuing our clockwise pattern, we went in a northeast direction over Powell where I took several classes at Northwest College back in the day. I was hoping a couple of my old professors were watching, because I told them I would reach great heights.
From there we looped around Heart Mountain, saw the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center and made a beeline back to the airport.
What struck me about this flight is how much open country we still have as well as the diversity of the lands with forests, rivers, waterfalls, valleys and mountains combining to create a paradise for those of us who love the outdoors.
One other thing. I made a list of people who could stand to pay a little more attention to their landscaping. You know who you are. Don’t make me say your names out loud.
Until next week, I am lovin’ life and flying high.
Corrie N. Cody