Every fall the folks at Washington Farms in Watkinsville, Ga. create a maze out of their corn fields and open it to the public. I’ve got nothing against corn mazes, but after a rather traumatic experience when I was 10 or so, I’d rather not. But every year before the maze opens, the farm hires a helicopter pilot to take photojournalists for rides over the maze to get the first look. They even take the doors off so we can get better pictures. Now that is something I can do.

So Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, I went for my first (and second) helicopter ride ever, and it was a gorgeous morning and I’m proud to say that I didn’t fall out of the helicopter not one time, when it was in the air or otherwise, and I didn’t drop any of my gear out the not-door, and though it tried to kill me, I was triumphant in the Battle of the Front Seat Headset. Pesky little boogers.

I liked how this turned out:

Amy Washington, 20 - business marketing major at UGA, eldest daughter of Washington Farms owners Donna and John Washington, and Canon shooter.

And it goes without saying, but of course when I finally get to ride in a helicopter and someone takes my picture to commemorate such a milestone in my life, I’m going to make the most hideous, ridiculous face ever. Whatever… Look Mom! I’m in a helicopter!

photo by Richard Hamm

Yeah, that’s all wide-angle distortion there…

And, oh yeah, the maze: