"Did you fly down or hike down?" the helicopter pilot asked me.

"Two of us flew down, but the rest of us hiked," I responded.

And the helicopter suddenly veered to the right, so that we seemed to be flying sideways. I forgot about any photographic opportunities as I shrieked, "Oh my God!!!" The moment passed, and we were upright again, but we had turned around 180 degrees and were flying in the direction from which we'd come. I understood. The pilot was giving me a chance to take a shot from this angle...and showing off, just a little.

I got my picture. The pilot made another hard right, and this time I managed to keep enough of my wits about me to take the above photo. I was loving it.

My eyes grew wider as we appeared to be heading straight for the canyon wall. But the helicopter pulled up, and we ascended and then floated back down on to the landing pad.

I thanked the pilot for the adventure and hopped down. I think the others were feeling a little green. I wanted to do it again.