Final Thoughts on the Beginning

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

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…

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.

Comments

[Jane Ellen Smith]

The Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever.

Thank you for the wonderful photos and details. I envy you your time in Alaska and alone with God.

[Jim]

Shaun,
I've enjoyed your trip as if I was there with you. Thank you so much for posting the truly inspiring pictures. I am glad you have returned safe to the lower US. It would be frosting on the cake if you were to publish a book that included your pictures and experiences.
Jim
'63 Super Cub, '41 J3
Bakerton, WV

[Cris Alarcon]

Hello,

I have updated the story about Patricia Collins with your comments and picture. You will find this story on a community portal in here last hometown: http://www.placerville.info/flying_samaritan_patricia_collins_killed_in_crash-06-49-07-31-2007.html

Thank you for sharing. Cris.

[Ron]

Hi Shaun,
I am going to miss the pictures!! I do hope that there is a book of photos AND your comments also.
Very sad about Patricia Collins, and Elizabeth Smith!! It sounds like they were remarkable ladies a did a lot of good while they were here.

Ron

[roger preston]

Have a share in a Cub in the UK so can appreciate some of what you experienced. Like the fat tyres - how did the tailwheel cope?
fantastic photos - which colour space do you use?

[roger preston]

Have a share in a Cub in the UK so can understand some of your flying experiences. Seems your fat tyres coped very well but what about the tail wheel?
Also, very impressed with the photos - far better than I've managed from the Cub. The colours are very vivid - what colour space do you use?
Regards
Roger

[Mikey]

Dear Mr. Lunt--

Stunning, from end to end. Bravo!

Mikey

[Bri]

Stunning scenery and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Justin]

Mr. Lunt -

Incredible trip and photos. Very sad note on Ms. Collins and Ms. Smith. Tell your buddy in the Cirrus you'll race him for pink slips if you get to chose the landing spot.

J

[Jeremy Pratt]

Hey Shaun
My wife and half of the pilots in my company LOVED the pictures you shot while up there. If a book becomes available I would stand in line to get one. Thanks for the all the amazing photos.

Jeremy
c-208 Captain

[Don Duke]

Magnificent!!!!! These wonder shots do not exceed your generosity in sharing them with all. In '92 my wife and I left our C.Skylane at home and drove the "Alcan Hwy" pulling a "bug" with a minnie w-bago. Drove all roads to Valdez, Soldatna, Homer, Denali, Fairbanks and "Top of the World Hwy". Most interesting was Dempster Hwy. through Brooks Range to Inuvik,NW Territories. Then we flew to Tuktoyaktuk on the Artic Ocean. Brooks Mts. just as they were ages ago as snow too insignifant to produce glaciers. Thank you so much for many fond memories.
Don Duke

[penepn]

Hi !
your pics are very very nice, your "travel expedition" is fun... unbelieaveble
penpen

http://penpenauquebec.blogspot.com

[Joy Dutta]

Way to go, Shaun !!! This is an incredible blog of an incredible journey. Envy you all the way. I am a long distance motorcyclist so I know how to appreciate (and be jealous of) this kind of expedition. This is motorcycling to the power n.

Keep flying and posting pictures. Fly safe.

[Clovis]

Nice blog man, some amazing photos. Would love to do that someday. Keep the blue side up.

-Clovis

[Tony Hunt]

What a wonderful journey you shared with us. Godspeed Shaun. 6 Jun 08.

http://aprn.org/2008/06/07/california-pilot-dies-in-crash-troopers-seeking-second-pilot/

[a friend]

His pictures are beautiful, but Shaun was the true masterpiece. A great guy with a giving heart. I'm totally broken. You will be missed. Thoughts and Prayers for his family and friends.

[Ron E. Trees]

Shaun was my nephew. We both share a love for photography. I enjoyed his pictures here as much as all of you. I looked at them over and over. Shaun was one of the nicest men I have had the privilege of knowing. He was genuine all the way! Shaun, I am going to miss you!! I will see you again someday and I am greatly looking forward to it!!!!

Ron

[Darin D. Douglass]

Shaun was very close to me, second only to my own brother. I am so glad that he was able to affect so many lives of those he knew, and those he did not know. He was truly one of a kind. Shaun your deeply missed, but not forever.

Darin

[J]

How Terrible. R.I.P. Sean.

[Becky Cox]

Shaun was an amazing person and a true friend. He definitely was one to live life to the fullest and let me in on some of the fun from waterskiing, animal crackers and home made ice-cream, car racing, and flying with him. He will be greatly missed. I look forward to the time we can live out our dream of having side-by-side cabins on the lake with our pal Jeremy in heaven.

[Amanda Munk]

I knew Shaun through the medical community in Loma Linda. I was a third and fourth year medical student during the time that I worked with him at the VA hospital. He was always kind and compassionate with patients and with staff. He was excellent at his work, and a good leader and teacher with resident physicians. To his family: my deepest condolences for your loss. Shaun was a very unique and talented person, with a clear love for beauty and God's creation.