Cape Cod: the end of an era

[brianvh]

I'm cross posting my report to the Southern New York HGPA

Went to Cape Cod for Halloween weekend, and like last year we reaped the
benefits of a monster storm climbing up the coast, hurling slowly building winds
against the east dunes.

Saturday was primarily a PG circus, not quite enough for a HG to stay up, though
Jimmy Donavan gave it a couple tries. I gave up about 2:30 and went exploring and
wine tasting. Needless to say it picked up after I left and everyone soared
their asses off. Kenny got flushed while avoiding an air pylon a half mile from
launch and landed on the dunes. As he bent a downtube back into true a couple
pilots showed up to give him a hand (sorry, Kenny will have to supply the
names), they looked the situation over, and said he could either break down and
carry out through the waist high bushes, or they could relaunch him right there.
Easy choice, and he was back on his way. It must have been pretty good, let's
just say some people enjoyed the moonlight. 'nuff said.

That night Tommy held a BBQ, and as I sat in the room I discovered that Kenny
and I were surrounded by folks from the dawn of our sport. Good stories...I
mainly kept quiet and listened.

Arrived sunday morning to find a stiff wind blowing - over 30 mph right above
our heads. Though I had flown in that type of stuff once or twice before I felt
a bit uneasy about it, especially since my nose cone had gone missing. Jimmy
suggested duct tape, and when a couple others suggested the same thing I figured
I could get away with it without people thinking I was the damn fool who flew
with a duct tape nose cone. Then some misty rain came in giving me something
else to worry about. Once again Jimmy was there to let me know I worry too damn
much. So I launch and sink out, the boys rescue me and I relaunch to soar for a
good bit. Which ended when I tried to top land a double surface glider I was
heavy one. Don't work so well. The boys came and carried me up again and I was
done.

Bill Jolly decided to try to top land his double surface. Can't fault him for
perseverance: he made about 10 approach attempts before finally getting close
enough that everyone could bum rush him and grab him before he flipped off the
dunes.

So I called this post the end of an era. For decades pilots have been staying
at the SeaScape motel, presided over by Chuck - a true friend of hang gliding
who allowed a launch to be installed at his west facing site. He's been getting
on in years, and finally sold it. Stakes are in place for surveyors to put in
private housing. West is the prevailing direction of
course, so no longer can pilots go up and rent a room right at launch and expect
if they are there for a few days something may happen. Now begins the age of
making last minute decisions to make that long drive for a weekend. Though if you don't get the fly, the Cape is still an amazing place to hang out. Go up during the low rent period at the end of hurricane season and hang out for a long weekend with hope in your heart. It may happen.

I'm glad I caught the end of an amazing site with an equally amazing group of
pilots. Yes, it will still happen up there, but never quite as easily, possibly
never with such a large gathering. It's truly the end of an era.

[Richard Hays]

That is sad news. I have fond memories of flying there myself. Hopefully the East Side will always be accessible. Maybe the locals should try and buy a lot ! ( Wishful thinking... ).

Rich Hays