superb soaring in the south

[Lauren Tjaden]

Ambition is like garlic; while a touch of it enhances, when you dump too much into the stew, the recipe is spoiled. At least the recipe for fun. I didn’t fly this summer and fall, almost at all. I was happy when the wind blew too hard or rain threatened, because it gave me an excuse not to set up my glider. Flying had become an obligation.
I make no apologies for being driven, for trying to be achieve goals and improve my lot. I abhor apathy – above all else – in myself, and others, too. It seems like such a waste of time. Nevertheless, the ability to stretch out and relax can also be an asset – one that I have sometimes found elusive. Maybe that’s why I am fond of gin (although I rarely allow myself to drink it anymore); it allows my inner slug to emerge.
Our families – Paul’s and mine – provided excuses not to fly. They obliged with numerous deaths, surgeries; the necessary trips to bury or nurse them back to health took months. It took me a long time, but I finally found I WANTED to fly. Lots. Only then everybody kept dying and being sick, and the weather stayed obsessive and cranky.
Still another surgery looms ahead; this time it is mine, scheduled for Tuesday, the day after tomorrow. I won’t be able to fly for 6 weeks (I need no pity; my surgery is elective.) So yesterday, in spite of the first gusty winds, then overcast skies, then pouring rain – I took my Falcon, Cynthia, up for a sled. At least I could still tow and land her in benign conditions. I felt good afterwards, too – like I had just shoveled down a whole cheesecake, only not as fat.
This morning, I reintroduced myself to Angel, my Litespeed. Her wings are still crisp and stiff, even though the Mylar on their tops have mellowed from a sharp white to an eggshell-tinged-with-yellow color. She’s red and white; there’s nothing apologetic about her, either. She is a lean little bitch, with a chord half as thick as Cynthia’s. It’s been four months; I bumbled a few times before I remembered how exactly to set her up.
The first time I towed, I flew her before the thermals started screaming; she glided off the cart perfectly. I snagged over twenty minutes, performed a decent approach, and flared late for a mild beak. My second tow, I was the earliest of the midday fliers, fearful of the turbulence. I popped off the cart a tic – the bar is perhaps a foot further back on Angel than Cynthia – but after that, the flight was magic.
Most of the pilot’s gliders rested on the ground why we flew; I have no idea why. Angel and I reached cloud-base, many, many times. At first base was a bit over 3000 feet, but later, it reached 3700 feet. When the mist began to blind me, I would scramble to the side of the cloud, and often found myself floating above it, pleasantly roasting in the sun. Once, I dived through a little marshmallow cumulus cloud below me – just because I could.
I had forgotten, Angel rockets ahead with barely a tug on her base tube – at 40, 50 mph, you just have to ask – speeds where Cynthia flounders. I consistently found 400 fpm lift, nasty little bullets that tried to spit us out. Angel only scoffed and turned tighter laps. We dusted a few vultures and I found myself laughing aloud. This is what flying is about. We could have flown to Georgia today.
Paul joined me when Mike dumped him next to my thermal. It was a perfect blast, chasing each other through the lift and sink and wheeling around together when it was right.
After 2 hours, I had to pee and I was freezing so I landed on purpose – yow– back in good form! Paul flared a bit early but had a decent landing (he flew about an hour and a half). His landings have improved so much; I used to worry about him, but he rocks now. He was always a great XC pilot but now he has it all. We hung out for awhile before we traveled home to uncork our wine and rustle up some dinner.
Flying is over for me, for a couple of months. But it feels good to have my hunger awaken again. It feels good to look at the sky and feel joy overwhelm my heart. I am a corny shlock, I know. But a HAPPY, corny, shlock.
Lauren

[kcarra]

...from Lauren...

Still another surgery looms ahead; this time it is mine, scheduled for Tuesday, the day after tomorrow. I won’t be able to fly for 6 weeks (I need no pity; my surgery is elective.) .....

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So will the effects of this elective surgery require a few adjustments to your harness??? Making the chest area more roomy perhaps????



Matthew

[silverwings]

Lauren, hope the surgery and recovery goes fine what ever it is. I really enjoy your writing and glad you had a wonderful flight.

[Flying Lobster]

Nice story, Lauren. Does this mean you're getting out of comp flying?

marc

[Lauren Tjaden]

To answer Matthew: Well, my harness MAY need to be made bigger -- I told my surgeon to make my butt implants HUGE, so I look like J Lo from the back
To answer Mark: I still want to compete. It can be really fun. I just don't want to do it to the exclusion of everything else. Traveling to Texas once in awhile, or maybe to Australia for a comp -- that's a huge adventure, besides a learning experience! I would encourage everyone to do it.
To John: Thanks. Lots. You are a good friend.
BTW: The land at Quest has been for sale for some time, but the danger of losing our site was tempered by the fact that a developer would have to buy it, and the real estate boom in FL is over for now. However, Frank, the owner, has decided he will develop and subdivide the land himself; therefore, its days are numbered.
We believed that the Flytec would NOT be held this year, but we are now close to getting final permission to have this last meet. I know the Flytec has sometimes turned tragic (for myself, too -- I have lost friends in it) -- but it truly is a well run meet -- at least in the years I have attended it -- that gives many people joy.
We have been scheming with others to find another place to operate Quest from, but it is a challenge. In any case, if you want to come visit, do it soon. This will almost certainly be the last winter Quest will run out of its current location.
Lauren

[kcarra]

To answer Matthew: Well, my harness MAY need to be made bigger -- I told my surgeon to make my butt implants HUGE, so I look like J Lo from the back ...


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More room for tattoos

Matthew

[John Simon]

Hi Lauren,
and Hi to Paul as well. As usual great flying and wonderful prose. Heath and I were thinking of visiting a friend in Orlando for a day or two and maybe we'll fly if luck smiles on us. Not sure if we'll be able to squeeze it in but Dec 14 or so, maybe we'll see you if we make it down.

Take Care

John