It was good to get out to the training hill for the first time in two years. Passed Janni in Smithsburg. Out on the hill at 10:15A it was 10 to 12 at the top max, with mucho light air in between. Eddie Miller showed up a little after 11A and set up his old PacAir Vision. Janni was test flying his Eagle 180 after a few tweaks. Shawn Ray showed up and helped out initially, then set up and flew later. Richard Hays showed up with a student Raj. Glen Hardy rounded out the hang gliding contingent. One paraglider showed up; don't know who it was. A couple of RCers also showed up and soared their craft in the light air at the top. Got in 4 flights; it did get pretty muddy down in the landing area. I won the glide ratio contest between Eddie, Janni, and I. Took off in nice air flowing up the hill and flew out past the last house on the right. That heavy wing loading does make a difference . Long, muddy walk back. Saw a hang glider yo-yoing between 100' - 1K' over for a good while at High Rock, but we were having so much fun in the mud at the training hill we decided to get a few more flights in. Everybody got their tank full of flights and plenty of exercise to boot. Left as Richard and Eddie were breaking down, reminiscing about the old days .
I showed up at Smithsburg to hang for a while and then head up to the Rock for a flight. As I was there everyone just seemed to be having such a good time laughing, joking, flying. I finally decided to stay and join them to get some exercise and some practice.It definately keeps the rust off! I needed the exercise! Everyone had a good day. Richard Hays and his student Raj both got in alot of flights. Raj told me he is going to stick with it. It's too much fun he said!As Bacil stated there was a broad contingent of flying going on, mud/shit diving, monster truck mud bogging and alot of laughing and joking.It was a scene man.Eddie said that was the most flying he has seen there in quite some time. At the end of the day Richard, Bacil, Eddie, Raj and I all sat around the fire at Smithsburg and listened to tales of old, and when Eddie thermaled out of the hill. Let me repeat, he thermaled out of Smithsburg! Are you kidding me? That's outrageous! Come on! He said he was pretty choked up after that flight. For good reason! WOW! He never told me that story before.
Anyway, that's what I took away from the day!
I had fun!
It's snowing, Good day for HOT wings and COLD beer.
Peace, Shawn.
Just checked my logbook. Eddie thermalled out of Smithsburg on January 26, 1997, a full 10+ years ago . A Super Bowl Sunday. I remember that day very well.
Sorry that we didn't stick around yesterday.......
But sliding down the hill was a pretty good
indication of just how slippery, and muddy
it was going to be.....
I'm really gald everyone had a great day, as
well as the folks who went to the rock..
Can't wait for warmer weather, and new
flying friends...
. Long, muddy walk back. Saw a hang glider yo-yoing between 100' - 1K' over for a good while at High Rock, but we were having so much fun in the mud at the training hill we decided to get a few more flights in. Everybody got their tank full of flights and plenty of exercise to boot. Left as Richard and Eddie were breaking down, reminiscing about the old days 
.
. A Super Bowl Sunday. I remember that day very well.