More miles

Racked up some big miles this week, though all were in cars or commercial jets. Flew to TX to help Mom & Dad pack up the house and move to their new digs in Colorado Springs.

Its ok, Dad, she really is just going for the cake...


After a rather impressive string of send-off soirees in Corpus Christi, Dad and I drove one car out there, Mary and Mom took the other one to Virginia, where it will stay. Margaret, Dad and I got the house pretty well set up before Mom got out to CO, everyone seemed pretty pleased with the result. Nice to see all the family, though sleeping in a different place every night was starting to wear on me a little.
Massive T-storm south of Denver was astounding, though I was driving and didn't get any pics.
I flew back to Ca Saturday of Labor Day weekend, just in time to do load up the van and hit the road for Indian Valley the next day.

Conditions on launch were pretty strong when I got there around 3, and the gaggle of low gliders struggling in turbulent air overhead wasn't particularly enticing. I finally decided to set up anyway, and when I launched at 5 I was glad I did. The glass-off was really nice, smooth as could be with light but pervasive lift. Made it almost to Lake Almanor at 10,200, back down the ridge to Dave C's place, and finally back up to Manny's to land. Still finding lift all over, even as the shadows began to flow across the valley. What a difference from St John--the glider practically flew itself.
Stacey, Carm and crew put on a great dinner that night, lots of excited pilots talking big air over margaritas, nachos and super burritos.
Next day was driver appreciation, Ben, Wayne, Tracy, Mele, Ryan and I hiked to Homer Lake(after considerable, shall I say,"discussion" over best routing ;-). We got there, it was nice, now on to the flying bit. Got to launch quite late, but R and B set up and went anyway, for a short but pleasant glass off. It did provide some nice photo ops.

Ben, hamming it up over the moon.

Type or Fly?

The Man in Flames hot-foots it for the horizon. (Ask him about pioneering a new LZ ;-)


Well, apparently the choice has been flying...pretty far behind on the posts. I did get out to the St John fly-in, had a great time as usual. I had good launches, and though starting to focus on landing earlier in the game cost me a few miles, it kept the stress factor manageable, and I enjoyed the flying. The air was pretty ratty both days, the thermals tight, squirrely, and sharp-edged. It quickly became clear than I was not in shape physically for this air, shoulders tired pretty quickly from manhandling the glider so much. Still, flew an hour and a half or two each day and liked it. Great to be in some mountain air, great to catch up with the tribe, Julia did a super job driving, and the BBQ was terrific.

RG basks in glory and anticipation of a new XC bag for his new T2C.