Aerial photos of the 26th annual Big Texas Toy Run

I was lucky enough to get to ride in the back of a R44 helicopter to cover the 26th annual Big Texas Toy Run for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this year. We followed thousands of motorcyclist from Gateway Park in East Fort Worth to QucikTrip Park in Grand Prairie. At one point, at loop-820 and I-30, we were hovering about 300 feet above the highway get a realitivly 'low angle' shot, and flying side ways. We were about level with the top of the very tall highway lights scattered around the interchange! You can view a slideshow of the event that includes photos from Staffer Joyce Marshall here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/18/3603672/big-texas-toy-run-2011.html   I shot a little bit of video with my Mk IV and iPhone 4s and will try to get that up sometime tomorrow.

**UPDATE** Short video clip of the flight added.

Thousands of motorcyclists wait to depart from Gateway Park in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Thousands of motorcyclists wait to depart from Gateway Park in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Thousands of motorcyclists wait to depart from Gateway Park in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade The first of thousands of motorcyclists enter Eastbound I-30 from Beach Street in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Onlookers wave to Santa Clause from the side of Eastbound I-30 in Fort Worth as he leads thousands of motorcyclists to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. They were delivering donated toys. Special/Brandon Wade Thousands of motorcyclists can be seen in the Eastbound lanes of I-30 (coming towards the camera) at the loop-820 interchange in Fort Worth during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. The motorcyclist were riding to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys. Special/Brandon Wade The downtown skyline of Fort Worth can be seen as thousands of motorcycle headlights can be seen in the Eastbound lanes of I-30 in Arlington (coming towards the camera) during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. The motorcyclist were riding to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys. Special/Brandon WadeThousands of motorcycle headlights can be seen in the Eastbound lanes of I-30 in Arlington (coming towards the camera) during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. The motorcyclist were riding to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys. Special/Brandon Wade Onlookers wave from the Ballpark Way overpass in Arlington as thousands of motorcyclist ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. They were delivering donated toys. Special/Brandon WadeThousands of motorcyclists from Fort Worth and Dallas arrive at QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

The 25th Annual Big Texas Toy Run

I covered the Fort Worth Big Texas Toy Run Sunday afternoon. Thousands of bikers gathered at LaGrave field, donated thousands of toys and then rode down to Billy Bobs to party. You can read the story here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/19/2716379/big-texas-toy-run-has-new-route.html

Santa Clause leads thousands of bikers down Exchange Avenue during the 25th annual Big Texas Toy Run from LaGrave Field to Billy Bobs in Fort Worth, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. They donated thousands of toys for needy children this year. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon WadePaul Smith, right, hands Otis Williams, left,(cq) a bag of toys to during the 25th annual Big Texas Toy Run from LaGrave Field to Billy Bobs in Fort Worth, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. Thousands of bikers donated toys and paraded down Main Street for the event. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade Dressed as Santa Clause, Windell Freeman relaxes on his bike before the start of the Big Texas Toy Run from LaGrave Field to Billy Bobs in Fort Worth, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. Thousands of bikers donated toys and paraded down Main Street for the event. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade Thousands of donated toys are packed into a 18-wheeler during the Big Texas Toy Run from LaGrave Field to Billy Bobs in Fort Worth, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. Thousands of bikers donated the toys and paraded down Main Street for the event. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade "Big John" Rogers Jr. shows off NBC 5 traffic reporter and Big Texas Toy Run grand marshall Tammy Dombeck's boots at Billy Bobs after thousands of bikers donated toys and paraded down Main Street in Fort Worth, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. "Big John" has been riding in the toy run each year of its 25-year history, but nearly missed this year's event after a serious accident this summer. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade