Almost Spring!

Looks like its happening. I can see my back yard again and you can go outside without a down jacket on. I have managed a couple short XC's already. Both to the shop from each Crater. Nothing to rave about but both were thermal flights that took me over launch and required at least a second climb to get the job done. Friday afternoon I hoped to get in a flight but got skunked. After what seemed to be a great forecast the day seemed like it would line up nicely for a great afternoon. Yet as I headed to the hill I watched the sky start to change. Blue sky began to turn a light grey and a mackerel pattern formed in about a span of 10-20 minutes. To the north lens shaped clouds slowly formed up near the Utah border and the grass, trees and bushes along the roadside started shaking in a frenzy. Then at last lens shaped clouds formed over our own peaks.

After being shot down Friday afternoon by mother nature I looked forward to Saturday. My friend Jon Gauld was to try out his new glider and harness. We got to the shop, put in his reserve parachute, adjusted the harness to fit and headed to Merriam. I thought I could whip out a quick test flight with a top landing and Jon would be in the air and loving it in no time. Yet the conditions were not quite soarable and I scratched around in vain but ended up landing down. I think it all worked out for the best because by the time we got back to the top it was coming in nicely. Jon was able to kite a bit and then was able to get a nice 20+ minute soaring flight before things heated up and shut down the morning session. I finished off the day with a sweet thermal flight to the shop followed by a cold beer. Here is Jon on his maiden flight.

Bring on Spring!!!