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So what kind of ride do you guys want?" Howie inquired over his shoulder over rush of air. "We can do a roller-coaster type ride or we can just cruise around. It's completely up to you. We cater to whatever type of flight you want."

Howie's question interrupted me from my daydreaming out canopy window, where my thousand-mile gaze had yet to fall on anything. I shrugged at my buddy next to me. "Hey, show me what you can do. This is your show." When we had reached appropriate altitude, Howie informed me to release tow cable. I pulled lever and with a ka-chunk, we were free from our propeller escort. Howie abruptly plunged into a nose dive, banked hard to right, buzzed nearby mountain top, pulled up, then leveled off, allowing my internal organs to re-establish themselves in their original positions. Me and my big mouth.

If you've never experienced thrill of soaring, get up there. I was fortunate to experience it through an invitation from Bret Willat, sky sailor extraordinaire, at his family-owned and operated soaring center, Sky Sailing (www.skysailing.com).

Known as one of top soaring centers in United States, Sky Sailing is located at Warner Springs Airport, in Warner Springs, California. It has been owned and operated by Bret and his family (including wife Karen, Shane, Garret and Boyd) since 1979. For past 22 years, Bret has showcased his passion for soaring, and his reputation as one of top sailplane performers in country has landed him in a number of television appearances, including Evening Magazine, 3-2-1 Contact and Hour Magazine. Bret was even featured in an ad for VISA which has been run in a number of national publications. His enthusiasm for flight is matched only by his enthusiasm to promote thrill of soaring. He has flown in over 175 events with one purpose in mind: "To show pure grace and beauty of sailplane." On my day in Warner Springs, I discovered what it is all about.

Also known as sky sailing, soaring is more than 100 years old. Wilbur and Orville Wright, pioneers of powered flight, designed, built and flew gliders to gain flight experience that would eventually be used in historic Kittyhawk sorties. After WWI, Germany made huge advances in glider technology, as it was restricted to non-powered aircraft. Today, all test pilots in Armed Forces are required to be competent in sailplanes. One of most famous gliders, in fact, is owned by NASA and frequently launched into space. What is it? The Space Shuttle.

Soaring is not reserved for aces and pioneers, however. There are more than 30,000 licensed pilots in United States and more than 150,000 worldwide. Some fly competitively, but most are drawn to freedom and relaxation and soaring offers. There are no engine vibrations, no infants crying in seat next to you, no packaged peanuts. You strap into your seat and slingshot into Zen tranquility on a smooth cushion of air. It comes as no surprise that everyone I met at Sky Sailing had a relaxed, almost detached air to them, as if their Earth-bound duties were merely an intermission from their real calling.