Pulpit work party this weekend

Post by **brianvh** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:21 am

Visiting the Pulpit reminded me of the work party this weekend. As discussed at the July meeting we should aim for this weekend because with labor day coming up, we'll only have one more free weekend if we can't get things all finished this time around.

We'll need to trim down the brush below the ramps as well as mow the grass. We'll need lots of people. Me, I'm planning to camp friday night if it doesn't look like rain, so I can get an early cool morning start.

We should also send a crew with gas powered weedeaters to Bill's.

Post by **dbodner** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:20 pm

Thought I was going out of town, but I'm not. So, I should be able to help.

Post by **markc** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:58 pm

I'll be there, with weed-whacker, saw, scythe, gatorade,
and a load of wood for the Fly-In .

Mark C.

Post by **dbodner** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:20 pm

Looks like we'll have a good supply of implements of destruction. The only thing missing is a good old-fashioned lawnmower. Is anyone bringing one? A simple, side-discharge, non-mulching would be great. Unfortunately, I seem to live in electric lawnmower territory.

Post by **RedBaron** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:50 pm

Glen should have one. I'll ask him to bring it.

Janni

Post by **brianvh** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:30 am

Glen told me once he also has a gas powered weedeater, which we'll need, since I doubt Bruce (the old weedeater stalwart) will be in shape for hard labor.

For those who haven't done this before, wear protective clothing: boots, work gloves, etc and bring plenty of water. A hat is actually good to keep falling brush out of your hair.

Looks like a fisher road day, so a glider for late afternoon flights is a good idea too!

Post by **breezyk1d** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:58 am

I have a ride-on lawn mower stored at my house - donated for club use by a dedicated pilot currently not flying (Gary Devan) . It starts up and has a full tank of gas, but the brake mechanism isn't releasing and it won't budge.

I need to get it into the shop for repairs, but that is low on my TO DO list at the moment.

Any intrepid pilot tinkerer is welcome to transport and use it for club site mowing if they can get it un-braked, . However, I am unable to transport it myself, or to assist with the site clearing this weekend.

Vienna, VA vicinity. cell 703-303-8652

-Linda

Post by **markc** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:25 am

We got a lot done at the Pulpit yesterday: mowed and 'whacked the
set up area, hauled out the trash, cut down trees at the bottom of
the slot, stacked up firewood, spruced up the picnic and bonfire areas.
I got there a bit before noon, then left at 4:00 for Bill's Hill. Brian, Mike L,
Tim, Glen, and Dave B were all working hard... But we sure could have
used some more hands!

Conditions at Bill's were brain-dead soarable when I got there
around 4:40. Really hazy, couldn't see across the valley
to the east. Listened to the weather radio for a while, because
it was impossible to see if there was anything nasty headed our
way. But the weather gods decided to cut us a break and we all
had good flights. Joe B was off first, I followed, then all the H2's
dove off. Everyone flew for at least an hour : mostly ridge lift, but
a couple of decent thermals to get you more than just a couple
100 over. I ran south to the turnpike and north to the gap, just
enjoying a rare soarable weekend day at Bill's.

Well, not everyone flew: Brian had decided not to bring his glider
and was there just to work and observe. So he was definitely
Saint Brian yesterday!

Mark C.

Post by **brianvh** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:48 pm

I was so antsy to leave friday, I was thinking "I'll be worn out, it will only be scratchable at Fishers....". Big mistake. Brain dead soarable at Bill's, who woulda thunk it?

Anyway, there's much more work to be done. I think by coincidence the scheduling screwed us, but there's always the weekend after labor day! need to finish clearing the small forest below launch clear to the original cut line, and Bill's could use more weed-wacking.

the fact that 7 of us (Mark left out Joe Brauch) could accomplish so much in about 5 hours shows that if we get the full crew the job deserves we can be done in less than 2 hours.

And someone got his first mountain launch and soared.....I'll let him tell his own story.

bustedwing2 · Post by **bustedwing2** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:19 pm

If the pulpit needs mowed again before the fly-in I'll bring my lawn tractor up and mow it. Worked sat and picked up a free glider today,needs a little repair and I need another year or 2 before I can fly it.RichB

hanging3 · Post by **hanging3** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:11 pm

Great day...even the paragliders could have had fun.
Tested the limits of the lopers at the pulpit...could not believe I could get through a 3 inch birch like tree(dave b told me what they were but I forgot already) but only 1 1/2" maple or oak.

Thanks to Mike for the grub!!!

Headed to Bills...loped a few more on the right side and wacked the grass down a little on the side and top. Note to self...buy a gas chainsaw weed wacker.

Bills==just over an hour and just below 1000' over...don't know if that averages out for a Craign "good flight" but I liked it. Got to the turnpike and back twice. Really humid! No releif in the air. Still blowing in nicely at 8pm.

Congrats to Mike on his first MNT flight. And I think it was Tims first bills hill. Woohoo!!!!

Post by **hepcat1989** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:03 am

Congrats to Mike, Tim, Glen and Janni on their flights!Thanks also to the work crew who busted their asses in the heat! Thanks guys! I just got back this weekend from New Orleans helping to re-build.Tomorrow is the one year anniversary. All I can say is, a war zone! SAD!

Anyway, I will be available to help work before the fly-in. Again, congrats to the 2's on their flights! You other pilots don't need it and you know it!

See ya'll soon! Peace, Shawn.