'Come Fly with Me '.......................
We have often discussed our differing attitudes to life. E thinks I am rash and impulsive . I think he's born to be mild.
So he knows that I am going to get on that helicopter no matter what . Even though the very thought of it scares me silly.

So there I am, outside Tower 2 of the Signature, trying to think of anything other than what I am about to do.
Fly god knows how many miles high over a huge gaping gorge in a piece of flimsy tin ? I must be mad.
A big black stretch limo, all dark windows and gleaming, curves round the drive. I wonder if a celeb is about to check in. A suited driver jumps out and says Miss__?

Blimey ! It's for me !

Jump in, and find myself with 2 Scottish girls from NYNY. As it's a stretch limo I flop onto one of the sofas and stretch, while noting the cocktail cabinet is empty. 'We've already looked!' they say. A quick bit of Brit bonding in our mutual nervousness, and before we know it we're at the Sundance terminal.

Sundance are supremely professional -and everything works like clockwork. Sign in, i.d check, safety briefing chat and video, and then we're all divided into groups. The Scots lasses are off before me and we wish each other good luck.

My group is a family - mum, dad, grandmum, young son and teenage daughter. We are introduced to our pilot, Chuck. He's a wisecracking, weather beaten, big bear of a guy who looks like he's been flying all his life. 'Don't worry' he says - 'I haven't lost anyone yet!'....
I laugh, slightly hysterically. The family look at him blankly. In that moment I realise they don't speak much english. So does Chuck.

It turns out they are from Denmark. I feel a sense of obligation to respond to Chuck's jokes - after all, I'm the only one who knows what he's talking about. But the Danes look happy enough as he leads us out to our waiting chopper.

Now , in the movies, the rotor blade is whirring , the grass is all flattened, and people always do that crouched over run ... Not us . Can't decide if I am relieved or disappointed. Chuck hands out life jackets. Because we will be flying over water, Chuck says, it's a Nevada requirement. (What about a parachute? I think to myself.)

Sizing us all up , Chuck chooses our seats, to balance the weight distribution. He's not daft though - the pretty blonde teenage daughter - tiny shorts and legs up to her armpits - gets to sit next to him up front. And who can blame him! I am lucky too as I get the other seat up front. Trouble is, I am wedged against the door and I am convinced it will slide open ......

Seat belts on , headphones too, and Chuck starts the engine. Jaunty music fills our ears and the chopper starts to lift off. It feels as light as a feather. In the blink of an eye we are soaring high above Vegas . My stomach lurches. I can't quite believe it.

Upfront everything is just glass and the panoramic view is almost overwhelming. I feel like I could fall through the window and glide over the candy coloured casino rooftops, as they get smaller and smaller beneath me. It's an amazing feeling.

The Strip is soon behind us and I look down at tiny rows and rows of residential streets . It's the bit of Vegas I never realised was there. So that's where everybody lives!

On we go ...over the desert - its a great time of day as the sun is bathing everything in a glowing warmth. All the while we have music and commentary - and when it's not playing, Chuck is pointing out landmarks and wisecracking. There's Lake Mead........and there's the Hoover Dam. No longer a half remembered, geography lesson ...but actually there below us.

'Now ,lets go see how amazing Mother Nature really is' !
says Chuck and flips the tape. The Ride of the Valkyries swells in our ears, the helicopter rises over it's lip and there it is ...suddenly spread before us. The Grand Canyon. I swear I gasped.

I don't know if I can do it justice. But you just have to see it.
Astounding in it's glory , (there is no other word ) I am aware how small and insignificant we are , huddled in our little buzzing fly, high above it's vast emptiness. And the colours and shades. The crags and the depths. And the sheer, awe inspiring , gobsmacking 'I'm The Grand Canyon and you're just a little speck of humanity' scale of it . I'm getting misty eyed just thinking about it.

'Lets take a closer look!' says Chuck with manic glee as he suddenly swoops down . I am exhilarated and scared witless at the same time and hope he hasn't picked this day to do something rash. Nah. He just loves upping the adrenalin factor....

It's all over too soon. The sun is starting to turn deep orange and we are heading back to Vegas...

But another treat in store.... The Strip comes into view as dusk is falling and the neon is starting to twinkle. It looks like Christmas and fairyland and every magic wish you ever wished.

Almost too soon we're back at base. The Danes all look happy and I am delirious. I feel all emotional and tell Chuck it was one of the best experiences of my life . He gives me a bear hug .
Glide back to the Signature in a dream and rush up to see E.
'Cup of tea?' says E ...'how was it ? '
'Bl---dy amazing !!!'
'Oh good' ...says E. ..'1 sugar? or two ? '