Since joining the Times News staff I've had the opportunity to participate in a lot of great community events, and Saturday was no different, though it didn't end as planned.

I arrived at the Slatington Airport at 2 p.m. for the Young Eagles aviation program. Pilot and plane enthusiast Eugene Salvatore was flying a yellow single-engine plane for young kids to enjoy the view of the Lehigh. As I watched an excited girl board the plane and settle in with a headset I became envious and secretly hoped I'd be offered the same joy ride in the sky. After I interviewed the passengers, Gene turned to me and asked if I'd like a chance to go up for a spin.I eagerly said yes. Gene went over the typical takeoff procedure and off we went. I readied my camera for the photo ops that awaited me. The flight path was a lap down Route 903, around Bake Oven Knob and back to the airport. The plane hummed and picked up speed as we left the ground. I gave a little squeak of excitement as we leveled out in the air. I started snapping pictures and taking a few seconds to enjoy the river beneath us. I was enthusiastic right up until the first gust of wind tilted the wings. I felt the first beads of sweat break out on my forehead.I tried to psych myself up, "Come on, kid, you've flown to Africa. This is nothing," I said.I took a deep breath and focused on the beauty around me, the blue sky, the river and the green peaceful mountains. Until the second gust of wind, when I was now covered in a slick layer of sweat. I became very aware of how damp my shirt had become beneath the seat belt across my chest. The engine hum became the buzz of a giant bumble I was trapped in, being piggybacked to my inevitable doom. More gusts, more sweat and now the concern of my lunch spilling out onto the floor of the tiny, hot plane.Gene chatted on, pointing out places of interest. He told me how pretty the view was in the fall and if I ever wanted to fly over the valley for photos in the fall he's the man I should call. My mouth was dry as I croaked out what was supposed to be a thank you. He asked me if I was nervous. I sounded nervous, he said. I was. I was nervous about not being tough enough to keep my afternoon strawberry smoothie in my stomach. As we began our descent to the airport I couldn't help but picture the inside of the plane turning into a bright red horror show while I attempted gratitude for the opportunity to fly above the Lehigh.We landed just before that happened. I hopped out of the plane so quickly Gene thought I was going to smash into the wing. As he searched his pocket for his business card while I tried my best to not appear shaky and sweaty, thanking him for his time. He handed me his card, which I grabbed and then proceeded to speed walk in record time to my Kia in flip-flops. I sat in the driver's seat with the engine running before being able to finally back out and drive. I kept my lunch.