The Goose

The Grumman Goose amphibious aircraft was used by the U.S. military during WWII. They used to be equipped with machine guns and depth charges, but of the 345 that were built, only about 60 are airworthy today. The one used by PenAir is a Grumman G-21 Goose, first modeled in 1937. Its adaptability (it can land and take-off from land or water) has been useful in civilian service in places like Alaska. Besides by boat, it is the only way of getting to Akutan. This video footage was taken by Jim from the cockpit, except for the scene of the plane landing in the distance, which was taken yesterday when it landed as it does daily, weather permitting.

After loading our luggage in the front compartment, our pilot, Bill, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jeans (see below a 1966 Seattle Times article describing a pipe-smoking Goose pilot from that time), shook our hands as we boarded, and asked Jim to sit up front in the cockpit with him. Sarah and Mami found seats in the cabin while Bill hopped on and made his way to the cockpit, mumbling something through his thick mustache to the effect of, "Here's an exit, can't smoke, wear your seatbelt, hold on." We soared through the air, hugging the coast, with breathtaking views of the land jutting out into the sea, foamy waves crashing onto the rocks, tiny fishing boats creeping along below like plastic bathtub toys. And then the land disappeared, and we were suddenly flying over an expanse of open water. At once, we learned that the land had been protecting us from the great winds, as we dropped out of the sky and sideways several feet. With our stomachs left suspended in the air above us, ours was the type of fear found in circumstances so wildly out of one's control, the only choices are to fling oneself to the floor, seizing and babbling in holy terror--or to laugh. So, we laughed--and enjoyed the ride immensely. 

Thus affected by the scene below, Sarah had the surprising kind of tears that originate from some inexplicable, deep appreciation of beauty. We were both left with the unmistakable impression that this could not have simply "banged" into being. From experiencing the strength and skill of our cowboy pilot, Bill, to the phenomenal landscape below, dotted with bald eagles and buttressed from the sea by rock walls decorated with waterfalls spilling into the ocean--it would be outrageous not to wonder if this achievement had a Creator. Landing in the water felt more familiar than we expected: the plane became a boat, and we motored to the landing to be greeted by village children and new friends from the clinic.