We just look that good

What can I say?

Source: Flickr UCB photostream

O happy day!

I've always liked Sweden, but today I like my second home country a little more than other days: A little more than 1000 dollars just magically fell down from heaven dedicated only to hang gliding! Or I guess I should say they appeared out of the ground as a thermal propelling me into heaven... =)

That's what you get for being one out of (my wild guess) 3-10 female hang gliding pilots in the country, having friends who know the system, and write a letter telling the people in charge how desperate I am to fly. Now it's definitely time to get some air under those wings!!! Whohooooo! =)

Yes...No...Yes...No...YES!

Last Sunday a handful of us headed down to EL for what conceivably should have been an excellent soaring day. And it was...just not for us. :-( Winds were S, SE 9-18, averaging 10-12 for our first flight, which, given the conditions, we were lucky to get at all. We started to set up...then were told to put our bags back on....then we watched conditions for awhile (looked good) and were told to set up....then conditions changed...and we were told to pack up....THEN...we were told to set up. I hustled to set up as quickly as possible to get off the hill before a) my instructor decided it was too strong (15 and above), b) before the wind direction changed, and c) before I changed my mind after the tennis volley that had just occurred.

Suffice it to say that the sport of hang gliding involves a 'hurry up and wait' and a 'hurry up and hurry up' mentality which at times is just fine, but other times is incredibly frustrating. Bottom line is take the time you need to get your glider set up and pre-flighted, and more importantly take the time to get 'yourself' set up.

My launch was fairly straightforward. I should have run harder and pulled in more as my nose popped slightly after reviewing the video. Flight itself was uneventful, headed to the 600' and over to the dead tree to do a figure 8 approach and landed heading into the S12mph winds. Would have liked a better landing - my jeans ended up with some souvenir mud.

Oh...and I got my 1750' sign off. :)

Flight Log: 1 flight each off the 1750' (aircurls, cleanpants, cookie girl)

Fan-tam-stic

A long overdue post.. Late February storms brought some great days at Tam, and some snow. The road was closed the better part of a mile back from launch so we had to hike in. A gaggle of pilots flew 1-2 hours, getting up to 3400' or so max. I did just over an hour, mostly above launch and a little south of it.

End of the line for the cars. Threw a few snowballs before hiking in.

Had a little fun with iMovie.