be decent winds wrapping around the remnants of Ernesto,
and that maybe we see some clearing before day's end...
During the drive up there wasn't a flag moving, and the
skies were decked over. Even a few scattered rain drops
on the ridges west of Frederick. Was pretty bummed out
until Rt 16, when I started seeing some promising flags.
Pulled into the lot at close to 1:00, ran up the hill, and
found 15-20 W/WNW blowing in on the ramp. Woo-hoo!!
John M arrived about a half hour later, followed by Gary
and Dan T. But that was the sum total of the pilot turnout;
where was all youse guys??
Ran a shuttle with John and we set up a 'sock and streamers.
Back up top, I launched around 3:00 and was immediately
a few hundred over. Played around, strafed launch and the
bar a bunch of times, even caught a couple decent thermals
to 800' and nearly 1100' over the mountain. Flew about 1:20
with John, then headed out to land so that Gary and Dan would
have a chance.
Did a 1/2 breakdown, then Gary showed and hauled us back
to launch. Dan went first into strong conditions, then Gary in
lighter stuff (he'd brought his Mark-IV, thinking it would be a
light push-out type of day). Conditions weren't as good for
their flights, but I think Dan got over 30 minutes, and Gary
a little less. Lazslo also showed up and flew his paraglider after
Dan and Gary landed, boating around in light magic air. He
could have stayed up until sunset, but landed to get a ride
back up top with us.
Very nice out there, with clouds and a decent amount of sun, lots
of spectators, and a huge crowd of bikers at the Mountain House.
A band was doing a decent job at "Let the bodies hit the floor",
but the bikers were not impressed
After a few end-of-day brews, we headed to used-to-be-McKinstry's
in Mercersburg, but the kitchen was closed. So another brew, then
down the street for pizza and pool. Warning: Dan and Gary are both
pretty good!
A good day to be up in the air.
Mark C.