Three months, but a lifetime of memories and good friends. It's been a better trip than I could've hoped for. Best time spent in Alaska? Time spent with God. He is Good. And the best things in life pale in comparison.
I've received some emails and have enjoyed seeing where people are from. Let me know where you are from: Email is shaunlunt at yahoo.com. There may be a book with select photos published, email if interested.
Blue skies and tailwinds until the next adventure--
Epilogue: We Are Sorry to Announce Shaun's Death
On June 6th, 2008, Shaun Lunt, our son and brother was tragically killed while flying his Piper Super Cub in Alaska. In May, 2008, Shaun returned to Alaska to feed his passions for bush flying, adventure, photographing nature and spending time with God. Shaun and a friend, each flying their Super Cubs, were beach combing from the air when Shaun spotted whale vertebrae on a lonely beach near Jack Smith Bay on the western coast of Alaska. Shaun was circling the vertebrae at low altitude when his plane stalled and spun to the ground headfirst. He was killed instantly.
As a family, we have been honored to watch Shaun grow and become an extraordinary man. We loved Shaun fiercely and continue to love him boldly in the midst of our broken hearts and tears that would fill an ocean. Shaun has left us all a beautiful legacy by the way he chose to live life and his spirit will live on. With each moment enjoyed, we will be a living tribute to Shaun's memory.
Shaun's desire to live life to the fullest is exemplified in the following photo documentary of his 3 months spent in Alaska in 2007. Please enjoy Shaun's pictures that are sprinkled with his humor and spirit. May each of you have blue skies and tailwinds on all your adventures.
In Loving Memory of our Shaun,
Norm Lunt (father), Margie Lunt (mother), Shelly Bolivar (sister)
** Shaun Lunt was born in Atlanta, GA, and his youth was spent in Spokane, WA, before gaining admission to Loma Linda University to attend medical school. At the time of his death, Shaun was employed by the Jerry Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda, CA, as an anesthesiologist. He was planning on returning soon to his roots in the Pacific Northwest to practice medicine and enjoy his love of nature and flying.
The following amateur video was taken by Shaun’s Dad just minutes before he climbed into his SuperCub and headed for Alaska in May 2008. A film production company based out of New York was interested in highlighting Shaun’s adventures in an upcoming movie they are planning to make on true life adventurers. At the request of this film company (for voice quality and visual perception purposes only), Shaun’s final words regarding his plane, his equipment, and his journey to Alaska have been recorded and now serve as a piece of his legacy. Minutes later Shaun’s plane lifted to the skies and left for Alaska…
. End Epilogue * * * * * * * * * * .
Back in the lower 48, Mile Hi strip in Idaho. Enjoyed meeting John Gregory in his Smith cub here.
Bryan flew his Cirrus SR22 up to Spokane, WA to pick me up. We were headed to California. It's been a few months since I plugged in a flight plan in the Cirrus glass panel. These planes couldn't be more different. Bryan wanted to race for pink slips-
While making my way southeastward towards the lower 48, I briefly met Patricia Collins, age 78, and Elizabeth Smith, 73, of Placerville, California, and their Mooney airplane adorned with flags from countries it's been piloted to. I immediately recognized this was a special crew and aircraft. An impending weather system hurried my short interaction with the two adventurous and intriguing ladies, but I made a mental note to contact them when I got back home. I was sad to learn, that less than two weeks later, the two were killed in a tragic accident in Washington state. I've learned that Patricia was a very accomplished pilot and flew as volunteer for the last couple decades for the Flying Samaritans, routinely flying to Mexico to transport medical personnel. It sounds like they lived a giving life that touched many people.