Daniel Broxterman and Bruce Engen headed to High Rock, arriving in the LZ a bit after noon. I took some time off of work to join them at, arriving just before 2pm to find the rock cleared of snow ready for aviation. Winds were WNW at 5-8.
Daniel's glider was assembled. Bruce was waiting to see if it was soarable. My glider was at home in the garage.
The clouds parted briefly and allowed a bit of sun through. The familiar smell of cow feces permeated the air ... Mongs field was being fertilized. The wind seemed to increase and straighten.
Daniel made a perfect launch into maybe 8-10mph, turned left and proceeded to soar the ridge. Hmmm.
By then, Bruce had offered to let me fly his Wills Wing U2 160 ... and I couldn't resist. By the time we had it assembled, Daniel was no where to be seen, the sun was again obscured. Ms. Rock had a mood shift - bovine feces, a gray sky and a switchy 3-5mph.
I spent 10 minutes or so on launch, waiting for the fickle breeze to pick up and straighten, until my lower back couldn't stand the strain. I accepted the inevitable, stepping off the edge, turning left ... sinking ... and finally turned out toward the LZ.
The U2 glided very nicely - well beyond the LZ and out over the moist, brown, sh~t-spattered field ... over the cr~p-spewing tractor ... seeking lift ... finding only reduced sink and smooth air. A few minutes later, I flared (a bit late), ran a few steps, and carefully followed Daniel's footprints through the snow-covered LZ, in my thin socks and cold, soggy, leather wingtip shoes.
Life sure is good. Observing an aspiring H3 is a real treat. The added benefit of a sled ride at the Rock ... mid-week ... in mid-winter ... in a U2 ... was icing on the cake.
Thanks very much to Bruce Engen for his hospitality: the glider and the ride back to the top.
Mid-week fun ... High Rock on Tuesday 1/25/05
Moderator: CHGPA BOD