Tuesday, January 28, 2014

SUN

The sky was different this morning in a good way.  I saw more blue than I had on all previous days. 

After the usual clouds burn off, the day seems to be poised for epic conditions. 
One of the retrieve guys seems to have a good handle on the weather here. He predicted rain on the one day we got a little wet, and today he is optimistic more than usual despite his relaxed demeanor.
Farmer, Josh and Brad are relaxed and quiet on the way up. This suits me as well as I'm flying tandem today and I enjoy the time to focus and stay centered.
We were all ready to go early and had a short meeting before launching.  Conditions are good!

I modified my passenger harness last night to accommodate instruments and my glider cheat sheet. We hope to fly for a long time today, and we will likely cover some distance as well.
Mark and I managed to get the group to go south about 23 km before we lost Shaun to landing. "Truck" and Scott both got a low save after the long crossing and continues on with me out  into the flats chasing Farmer's group. The flying today was much smoother and more like the typical amazing conditions we are uses to here.  Unfortunately Mark and I got low near Famer's group and landed in a little soccer field next to a pool in Bugalagrange. My two remaining guys continued to fly with Famer's group. 
It was very hot and the pool looked inviting but packing on grass in the shade was a welcome end to a fantastic flight. All 3 of my pilots in my group had personal bests today, and my tandem passenger, Mark as well. 

A short walk later we caught a bus to Andelucia, where we had a slice of Colombian style Hawaiian pizza and a Gatorade. Another bus came by, and now we are on our way to Roldanillo. 

This Carmel roll was a nice treat from the bakery near the bus stop. Yum! A little over 2 hours in the air. Nice day. 

Everyone was on the ground not long after we landed due to the clouds all resembling Marge Simpson's hair and All remaining pilots flying were cautioned to land precautionarily to avoid the rain and potential gust fronts that followed. 

I gave my talk tonight and even though it was a repeat it was well attentended and welll received by both the new tour 2 pilots and the repeat pilots from tour 1. Good times. 
Cheers!