Winter Dreaming

[lbunner]

The dog days of winter are here. Even though the weather was a balmy 65F here in Pa, the winter doldrums have set in. I haven't flown in several months and don't seem to be freed up to fly when others have made it out. The next best thing is to dream of blue skies filled with puffy cu's (Paul and Lauren would say "come on down to Florida") and flying XC so today I spent some time on Google Earth mapping out XC routes in the area. After having some success at the Pulpit this year, I chose this route first. One minor dog leg is required to get around the Philadelphia and Atlantic City airspace however a long flight to the coast is feasible. It looks like 200 miles could be had by making it to Long Island, NJ (just north of AC). Next, Jack Slocum's awesome flight last May from NY south deep into Pa inspired a route from Jonestown, Pa (30 miles northeast of the Sac) south into Maryland and down the Delmarva Penninsula to Wattsville, Va for 225 miles. I've only flow Woodstock once so far and fantasize running the ridge some day then hopping over the back like Tom McGowan did on a long flight a couple years ago. He paved the way and demonstrated the incredible potential this place has for someone to fly to the coast. This route has possibilities and 200+ miles could be had by dodging some airspace and heading to the Currituck County airport. Last but surely not least, a flight from Ridgely to the north has excellent potential on the right day. John Simon and Paul Tjaden drove north on a mediocre to average day resulting in one flight over 100 miles and another just one thermal away. It's 150 miles to Jonestown and 200+ to Waverly, NY. The last 50 miles is over desolate bear country but hey when you're at 6500' what's to worry?
Check these routes out on Google Earth. What do you think? I know probably crazy but hey you gotta dream, then set a goal before you can make it a reality. I think I'll head to the basement to put some miles in on the bike and work out those delts and neck muscles.
Man I need some air time.

[John Simon]

HeyLarry,
You are a sicko. I like it.

Yeah, winter is the time my mind goes into the a similar mode. I've looked at the pulpit to Delmarva on SeeYou (airspace) and Google and I think... If the wind just right and you could crack a long one there, I really like this idea as it's not so much to ask for a west wind that turns NW later? Flying to the beach from the Pulpit? I'll by that guy a case of man beer (I hope it's me, I hope it's me).
From Ridgely, North is tough because of all the airspace but doable, especially if there is a slight SSE instead of just S. Getting a good south day is not all that common either. After the long flights by Paul, Rick, myself and others, I've decided that 150 is quite doable and someone very fast and skilled could make 200 from Ridgely on a really good day.
Tom's flight from the Stock was pretty awesome, not sure if there is a whole lot more there even though he landed and left miles on the table, but it would be fun to try.
I still need to build some strength but I'm hoping this spring will be a bit better than last. Hah!


Dreamin' too

John