Turkey Day in Florida

[Paul Tjaden]

Just finished making the stuffing and green bean caserole and got poor old Mr. turkey in the oven so I thought I'd say Hi to all.

Yesterday was a banner day for me. While hanging out at Quest waiting to do a couple of tows and for Lauren to fly (Doctor still hasn't approved me for HG) in walks my buddy Heavy Kevi. He's here to spend the Holiday with Melany's folks. It was great to see him and for a bonus, I got to tow him up. Flying was pretty mediocre but it sure was a nice day. No flying for us today. We are enjoying the day with Lauren's folks.

Hope all of you have a great day and have lots to be thankful for.

Paul

[mcelrah]

Thanks for the update and my favorite Thanksgiving ever was at Quest about 5 years ago. Last Sunday, got my first coupla tows dragging up the glass gliders with the Husky (still got that nag in the backseat, though). They're so slippery I don't really notice much difference, although they do act as a yaw control device (less right rudder required while climbing). We don't have real mirrors rigged yet (Husky is the new tow plane for training new tow pilots - Pawnee is the real tow plane), just an auto-type rear-view mirror looking through the roof window of the Husky, so I mostly just feel the release at 3000 agl. It's a journey... - Hugh

[Lauren Tjaden]

Cool, Hugh, that you're towing, too! I guess it's sailplanes?
Paul got in a few more today in midday conditions. It was shitty, gusty, marginally windy, west and dry, so it was a perfect opportunity to test Paul. He ROCKED except at the end of the day Dustin thought Paul towed him too fast in the Falcon with landing gear. (Dusty sold his glider in Ecuador. He asked to borrow mine to tow, so he could fly with Kevie, but then the harness wouldn't work with it so he took the Falcon instead.)
I flew about an hour but it took me two tows. The winds were really weird. My first landing I'd flared and was standing totally still on the ground when my frame twisted and hit (!!!). Then the wind got under my glider's rear and she beaked, sooo unfair.
My second one was perfect but it was ROWDY. Greg Dinauer had a bad landing and cut his leg (he's okay, but not fun after he had the FOTD). Anyhow, our friend Kip the aero pilot has left, but Jamie and Dusty and Kevie and Ray are HERE!
Dusty built this cool Tiki Hut by the pool (I cut all the palm fronds for it) and got the 'cuzzi working and Saturday we are having a big party. Or at least a party.
Wish you were beer. (You know, after a glass of wine, I find myself incredibly clever.)
Now we are off to the Villages to listen to my Dad recite a Christmas poem.
Lauren

[mcelrah]

I wish you were beer, too! We're in Columbus with family, but will stop in Canaan Valley on the way home for XC skiing with Ben and LE - they've got two feet! - Hugh