Article January 16, 2012 Issue

Hang gliding and the joy of healing

By Susan Ozanne

An aerial view of beautiful Kauai, taken from the hang glider.

Robert Merrihew

On a recent vacation, some friends and I took a lesson on a jet-powered two-seat hang glider called a trike. We took turns and I was second in line to take an hour-long flight with the pilot instructor. It was absolutely amazing, and I was so in awe of the feeling of being like a bird, flying in the open air over spectacular cliffs along Hawaii’s island of Kauai, which is known for its garden-like beauty and lush vegetation and waterfalls.

An aerial view of beautiful Kauai, taken from the hang glider.

We had just reached a steep cliff-like area over ridges and peaks when we found ourselves in the midst of a cloud. We started rising higher to find an opening above the clouds, but there didn’t seem to be any break. I began to feel fearful. 