Road trip! Boone, NC

[pink_albatross]

Anybody interested in joining Dan Tom. (and wife) and me (with two german college girls and three dogs) for a roadtrip to Boone, North Carolina?
The famous tater hill is likely to work this memorial day weekend. It should work for both HG and PG. And it's within driving distance.

A new site! Great weather! Boone is supposed to be worth a visit (i.e. bring family, friends). Ha, what's not to like?

Boone: http://www.flytaterhill.com/About%20%20Boone.html, Dan's wife is planning to go gem hunting. Apparently that area is know for that. Also shops, galleries in 19th century buildings with creaky wooden floors, also climbing wall and you can take your bike to Lance Armstrong's favorite training site. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just 10 miles south of town. Of course you get great hiking there, too. Grandfather Mountain (didn't they used to fly HG there in the early days?) is only 19 miles - think ropes and swinging bridges. Oh and Rwandan and Sumatran coffee to be had at the Mosaic Bookstore.

flying: wide open site, flyable between 230 and 340 degrees, 2000 feet AGL. It's a private site, Dan cleared us coming with Bubba. 8 miles north of Boone.
H2/P2 and above.

accomodations and eats: http://www.flytaterhill.com/Accommodations_eats.html

So, pack up your family and your friends (aka potential drivers) and let's head out of town! Let's go explore new sites!!!
-- ellis

[markc]

I have family in Boone, and it's definitely a great destination, flying or otherwise.

Here's a nice cafe:

Our Daily Bread - A small cafe tucked away on Boone's busy King Street. Great for lunch with a variety of excellent sandwiches and soups in a casual atmosphere. ODB only uses local and organic produce in season. Located just across the street from Mast General Store. 828-264-0173

627 W King St
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-0173

And a coffee house :

Espresso News and Mosaic Book Store
267 Howard St, Boone, NC 28607-4011


And some veggie-friendly restaurants include:

The Red Onion Cafe
227 Hardin St. (Hwy 321)
Boone, NC 28607 828-264-5470

Red Onion Cafe - At the Red Onion Cafe, we serve delicious items on a daily basis. You can enjoy one of our gourmet burgers, a fresh salad and potato, or soup and quiche. We offer gourmet pizzas, a variety of pasta dishes, different styles of chicken dishes, New York strips, and a children’s menu is also available. Don’t forget to try one of our unforgettable desserts! 828-264-5470

And:

Angelica's Restaurant

Angelica's and others

506 West King Street
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 265-0809

[Danny Brotto]

On the way back north from flying a week at Lookout (epic), we stopped by and flew Tater. It was in the "WW Duck was new" days; a.k.a early 80's. Saw my first Delta Wings Streak there... radical design for the times. Also saw my first loop there... a guy in a Fledge launched off, flew a few seconds straight out, dove, and... perfect loop!

Tater is a great place to fly. You will giggle with delight! Sweet launch, top landable, rugged, and beautiful terrain. I envy you guys! Ya'll have fun!

Danny Brotto

[mikecosner]

i am considering heading down there hearing that there is some other pilots making the trek. I flew there in 06 and can attest for it's sheer awesomeness. Going to watch the weather and make a decision closer to the weekend.

coz

[brianvh]

Looking at those pictures sure does make one want to fly there, huh? SC is a bit of a stretch for me though.

[pink_albatross]

how about the northern border of North Carolina?

[brianvh]

Hmmm....close to 11 hours travel time....umm, no. I'd have to take time off I can't spare to make it worth it. Plus I have to pick up Linda Salamone and glider from JFK on friday.

[brianvh]

Hmm again....weather's not looking so good down in Boone. Looking good at Hyner. Hmmm....

[Dan T]

Boone is a beautiful site with a huge launch area and 3 LZs that are within a 4 to 1 glide angle and big enough to land a topless HG in. Bubba, the land owner of the launch site was a great host. You all should consider going there. He's hosting a contest the first week in August.

Dan

[brianvh]

Love to go there some time. But on this particular weekend, did the wide open launches allow any flying in unfavorable weather?

[Dan T]

Brian,

I had two paraglider forward launches in 0 to 1 winds. The launch area is huge and will permit launches in relatively significant crosswinds. Prevailing winds are typically somewhat stronger and can be too strong for a paraglider. Bubba mentioned flying in winds up to about 20 when he was flying hanggliders. The site is easily suitable for hanggliders and the LZs are adequate to large. The largest one was nearly hip high in grass so we landed in the front yard of a friendly landowner instead. It's big enough to put a topless HG in, but you'd need to fly fairly precisely. I didn't walk the third field but it looks plenty large for any of the wings we fly. It was a great site and worth the trip. Bubba is a great host too. I hope to make it down for the Tater Hill open the first week in August.

Dan