Once (11)

Today seemed ok, but I now delay my predictions until after I have landed. This place is one big box of chocolates! (You never know what you are gonna get, said Forrest Gump.)

Breakfast was oatmeal with fresh fruit and nuts. The usual smoothie and coffee had me feeling ready and not too full. 

The sun is strong here. 'Nuff said. 

Yesterday was a "10" indeed. Today was much harder to get established for many pilots early on, but for some it was another perfect day. 

A juggler selling bracelets on launch gave me a juggling demo after I bought some gifts for my family. 

It looked like you would be sucked up with no escape into the clouds but it was quite mellow and easy to sink out, just a few hundred feet below. 

The view directly away from takeoff. 

Those that stayed up included all but one of my team. The rest headed south to the jumping off spot near Roldanillo and hung out with Rob and his people. 

We recycled over and over, that is; we climbed in the smooth lift until near the base of the massive cloud, carefully timing our exit (to clear air) out front before whiting out into the base of the cloud.   While flying in the tropics is different, and the clouds are far more docile, they still blind the pilot and if more than one pilot goes into a cloud, there is a very real chance of a midair collision.  It is considered poor form to enter a cloud on many levels, not to mention. It is illegal. 

The jumping off spot ridge. 

Eventually it seemed like the clouds were making a bridge to the flats. Marge, John and I headed out but I cautioned the rest to stay at cloudbase to see how we fared. Good advice, as Marge, then I, then John landed within a mile of each other. Of those that waited, Chris landed in the same place he had before but Dave made it through the gauntlet and crossed to Zarsal, and then over to La Vitoria and then back to the soccer field in La Union.  Nice. 

SB pilot Dave Bader, king for the day!

Dave interesting had a speed-bar issue after launching and was going to land but I asked that he take his time and try to fix it or detach it to allow home to carry on. He took my advice and won the day. Bravo Dave

John and me having a great day having flown and landed together. Good times!

The beautiful church in La Union. 

Enjoying mango pineapple smoothie with SB pilot Jim Wickstrom. He is flying really well, as is fellow SB pilot Tye Simpson.

Tye Simpson. There is no stopping him!

That's it for today. Tune in tomorrow. 

Loving life in Colombia,

Via con Dios,

Martín