We were friends, back from the war in Vietnam, putting our hard earned skills to use in Alaska where helicopters were new to the rugged mountains of the vast wilderness. One day I would take a miner to his gold claim, the next I'd be fighting a monster forest fires. We flew long hard days, and took our time off just as seriously, often partying through the night only to get up and float a wild river the following day.
Knowing Tom, I read this in his voice. His storytelling is just like in real life and his humor is ever present. I'm glad I finally picked this up so many years after you gifted it to me!