Yielding to the sky

Freeflying exploration on Whidbey Island

When I was 15, we lived in rural Missouri, on acreage outside of a sleepy town. The nearby Army base even had a nickname: Fort Lost-in-the-Woods. A path from our property led to the Gasconade River. Since we were homeschooled, me and my siblings had ample time to roam and explore outside, once our chores were done. I remember the thrill of climbing tree…