Hyner View Memorial Weekend

[Richard Hays]

Weather permitting....who's thinking of going? We're game. And.....whats the deal with the bridge up in Harrisburg? Does it affect the route to Hyner ?? Anybody know what I'm talking about?

Rich and Jilly

[Dunegoon]

Interested in going at least part of the weekend.

If you are coming up I 83 it should be ok. Hopefully the bridge problem will be resolved soon. It influences the traffic on the East and West shore of the Susquehanna, but there are ways around. It has been a nightmare in Harrisburg PA and the surrounding area. The truck driver had one job. . . Don't turn the damn truck over or let it catch fire.

Charley F.

[andybalkphysics]

Ill be there unless the weather is horrible or my car breaks down.

[bowen.tim]

Charley, that's 2 jobs.....

[brianvh]

I'll be there. Brian.

[bowen.tim]

Rich,
Hyner Hang Gliding Club shows it as a Thursday through Monday event. What are your plans? And yes, I am in!

[Richard Hays]

Planning on leaving to head up when Jill gets off work on Friday afternoon. ETA 6pm Friday; breaking down and leaving Sunday. Maybe Jacks Sunday?

[brianvh]

I'll be there friday through monday. Will be thrilling to have Richard back at Hyner!

[brianvh]

It looks like it will be a wait and catch a thermal type of weekend at Hyner. But at least the rain forecasts have moved earlier in the week. Damn but I need me some Hyner time! Hope to arrive before sundown on friday.

[Danny Brotto]

I can hear it now... POE-TAE-TOW!!!

Danny Brotto

[krryerson]

Unless the weather forecast changes horrible, I will be going to Hyner View Memorial Weekend, this coming Friday morning, and hopefully catch some thermal on Friday and Saturday. Never been there; but looks like a great place to fly HG.
Knut

[brianvh]

Forecast still bouncing around, gone from a light forecast (launchable at least) to strong (scary). I still don't trust it.

But it's crucial that you DON'T go to Hyner looking for great flying. You are going for a great social experience in a beautiful place. If you fly that's icing on the cake: Hyner tends to punish those who go looking for lots of airtime, so do us all a favor and don't even think about it...

Arrive naked, leave drunk. Swim a bit in between. Take your time to be sociable. It's all about relaxation.

[silverwings]

Marney and I will be arriving late afternoon on Friday.

[brianvh]

Wow, suddenly every day is looking NW, but may be too strong at times according to the current forecast. I'm getting more hopeful...

[krryerson]

To bad; but, decided to stay home and not travel up to Hyner View this weekend. It did look to strong and scary for Friday and Saturday.
I am sure it is a great social experience; but, I am looking for some airtime and hopefully will get something on Sunday at Woodstock, VA.
Knut

[Richard Hays]

Amazingly fun weekend. Nice turnout. Wind howled all weekend but today there was some early morning flying. It was great being back. I can't remember laughing so much around the campfire(s). Two town was well populated. Miss seeing Freds' bus. Renovo is turning into a ghost town. Awesome showers and bathrooms at the campground nearby. LZ was spit-spot and yes......even the infamous crap palaces were actually not so bad. Good representation by MHGA/CHGPA ( Tim, Bob, Jill, Me, Brian, Mike; John and Marney; more ). Freezing cold. Crisp moonlight nite(s). Stars so bright and strange lights seen overhead at night. Chilly....chilly. awesome steaks and in the morning bacon sizzling on the fry pan. Mmmmmmm.

Spoons was spoonin' and guitars were strumming. Naked asses flew over a robust campfire and well......it was Hyner. And life was good. Laughing....so much laughing and fellowship. Bob Beck is amazing and Shawn McDuff was well....hilarious as always. The two of them are hometown hero's for their dedication and hard work to keep this legendary site open and actually thriving.

In some quiet reflections....my head was filled with images of times past. And some bittersweet. I began my first treks to Hyner in 1978. Was witness to the US Nationals being held there. Dennis Pagen won that year on a Sky Sports Sirocco 2 if I recall. Ran into Steve Moyes too. And Keith Nicholes of Electra Flyer. And the Keso's ( Ron and Dennis ) from Pittsburgh. But also memories of my past chapters in life that somehow Hyner has become apart of. The crazy Nicaraguan ( Anna ); awesome friends Fred and Brad and Danny and Beard and Bill Roberts and Mike Kotarba and so many MHGA members from years past. I changed my sons diapers in a tent there and swore I'd buy a pop up camper
( and did )....because of Hyner. I remember almost beating Bob Defanbaugh on his Comet when I was flying a single surface Sensor 210 E during
the Regionals. Got beat by about 10 seconds. LOL. I remember Conti's bar and ultralights flying in and out and Rob Kells doing loops and Buddy John and Steve Krichten doing their hangglider base jump. And Boone and well.........so many memories of times past it kinda was spooky. But good spooky.

I even met Francis Rogallo there atop launch one year. I got him to autograph my Sensor 510's nose. What a nice man....

I stood atop the little mid-way hill overlooking the long gone stage for the Flaming Fall Foliage Queen pageant and looked down upon the LZ and up at launch as the night sky began to envelope the area. In my minds eye I saw decades of fun and laughter and friendships and relationships and conquests..all represented by this special, unique place. I'm old now. The echoes of the past were all around me. I was in a special place once again not as a young thin 20 year old but as a tired ....graying old man who still loves flying. The echos of the past were a roar. And it was good.

Boo Waaah.

Gweedo aka Rich Hays

[lbunner]

Rich, what an awesome post. I read it and felt some deep emotions inside. It was as if I was there with you. I've only been there once and have yet to fly but reading your reminiscinces of times past really tugged on my heart strings.

[silverwings]

Arrived Friday late afternoon. Windy and cool Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Saturday we put up a very nice new Hyner Club sign at the entrance of the LZ. On Sunday the inside and outside of the out house got fresh paint and looks great. A few pilots had early Sunday and late Sunday flights. Monday, winds were light crossing some at times and a bunch of pilots flew mostly with sleds and extended sleds. I flew one of my trainers (F3-170) twice with sleds but even with that it is such a beautiful place to fly I enjoyed it a lot. My first foot launches this year since I broke my hip and I had no problems. As the day went on overcast reduced the potential of soaring and by the time we left for home at 3:00, TR had had the FOD getting above a couple hundred for a soaring flight of maybe 20 minutes. A few others also got some minimal soaring.

[jyoder111]

Glad to hear you're getting back in the air, John!!

Jesse