REPOST: Baja Trip West 2006

[Spark]

Baja Trip West - March 2006<br>
Several years ago, in the wee hours of a sleep-deprived flying
summer trip-west drive, I pondered the possibilities of a pacific
coastal flying trip that would commence in Baja California and
proceed northward towards Oregon. In discussion with esteemed<br> collegues, the merits of this notion were weighed and tentative
plans made. Based on various random reports; web-advice, the
month of March was chosen. <br>
Unfortunately for me, I was unable to take more than a week
away from work and didn't make it N past L.A. That's my excuse
to start over again next year <br>
I returned last night from the trip and have uploaded the photos.
I've placed a few of the photos inline in this message, but there
are many more at <a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... ex.html</a>

Many thanks to <a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg">Alek Beyenson</a> for the server space and web page customization.

Each of these Trips West have been memorable and this trip was
no exception. I arrived on Friday, March 10, shortly after Alek
Beyenson, one day after Marcel and Jens, and several days after
Joe, Zelda, Bruce, Hugh and Andy. Soon after picking up our gear,
we were retrieved and deposited at Torrey by Jens and Marcel.
Initial conditions were a bit sketchy (sunshine mixed with occasional<br> squalls and rain), but eventually an opportunity presented and Marcel
and I were able to fly. <br>

<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... cf0003.jpg">
<img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>

Tom Cuenen and James Coblenz arrived later and the four of us
were able to enjoy some later afternoon flying. Marcel took a nice
photo of my new wing <br>
<br>
<a href="http://astor.som.jhmi.edu/~mdettling/Tr ... .jpg"><img src="http://astor.som.jhmi.edu/~mdettling/Tr ... g"></a><br>

That night, we packed up the Toyota (to the brim) with Alek, Spark,
Jens and James and headed to La Salina. Marcel and Tom retrieved Daniel <br>from the airport and joined us later that night. Saturday (3/11)
at LaSalina was a repeat of Friday at Torrey, with increasing <br>westerly winds and scattered showers. <br>

<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... ainbow.jpg">
<img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<br>
In spite of the rain, and a brief hailstorm, HGs were able to fly
and land at the beach. On subsequent days, both PGs and HGs
were able to fly, although conditions were too strong for the tastes
of some of the pilots. <br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... 1.jpg"></a>
<br>
The beach was the ideal spot to land, although there were suitable
HG and PG landing fields closer to launch. My favorite spot was a
grassy area near our abode. I was able to land in the grass twice,
with PG<br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... /a></b></p>

Another cool thing about the beach is that is is much closer to cold
refreshments, and fish tacos. <br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<br>
I had a chance to fly the U2 a few times, and really enjoyed it : ) <br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>

One afternoon, the group took an afternoon drive to a costal cliff
site at San Antonio Del Mar, south of Ensendada. It took a bit longer
than we thought, but we enjoyed a spectacular sunset. <br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... .jpg"><img src="http://www.nostepper.com/west2006/Spark ... g"></a><br>

On Thursday, we returned to California and a few of us flew Otay
Mesa while the remainder headed to Torrey for some PG flying and
kiting. On Friday, we flew Marshall Peak. I'm currently trying to finish
up the video from Otay, Torrey and Marshall and will post some links when it is available. <br>
<br>
Many thanks to all who participated, with special thanks to Bruce Engen, for hauling all of our gear around and putting up with us
<br>
'Spark<p>