Marty DeVietti's XC Paragliding and Racing Blog : Treinta y seis

The sky was perfect this am. I had lots to do but made it to breakfast only 5 minutes late.

Pineapple, papaya and strawberry smoothie today, coffee and a beautiful plate of grilled chicken, and fresh fruit.

Included was a special fruit (Granadilla) that you slurp up seeds and all.

Flaco's wife Karen was with us fior the rise up today. She had a beautiful butterfly tattoo. Coincidence?

Helen and Oscar we're excited to bring out the flag for us today. I gave them the last of the snacks and goodies left by Dawn Westrum who left last week. I gave Helen the markers I used for making wing cheat sheets and for Oscar Junior, a toy set that I had used as a funny prop in my presentations. They asked if we were leaving tomorrow and I said, "si pero espero que verté in el próximo año." (Yes but I hope to see you next year) They were happy to hear it and were all smiles on launch.

The final hike up the crumbling stairs.

A shout out to Stacie Stuchartd and Pearl Izumi for my sponsored shoes, wool socks and favorite wind jacket. Still perfect after two years use. Love them!

Everyone launched and it looked really promising until the north wind arrived and made it more challenging and turbulent for getting established.

Bradley coaching pilots via radio.

Farmer, Hamming it up for the photo.

The guides remained on launch coaching and helping their group get established.

Christian got low and I knew he could pull off a save and stay in the game. He stuck with it and went from just a few hundred feet to cloud base in what seemed like 30 minutes or more. He hung in the air longer than me today, launching before me, and landing afte me. So stoked for him. He really performed well today.

Several landed soon after taking off while the rest congregated at cloud base at the jumping off spot to the south.

I was happy to get a climb just to the right of launch and made it to cloud in minutes. The day before I followed Bradley off launch, flew straight to the end of the ridge and we were both at base in 5 1/2 turns in a 1000 foot per minute climb. Yes!

The sky blued up and high pressure conditions dominated the day. The north wind forced us out of the higher terrain early again and only a handful made it across the valley.

Ali and Brian before launching today.

Phyllis and I got a low save behind Roldanillo and tried in vain to find a climb out in the valley. We were grateful to land on grass, into the wind, and pack in shade next to Brian and Ali who landed on tandem just minutes before At the oration landing spot in the middle of the valley. Nice.

Ahh, bus shade with an open window...

We flagged a bus just as I finished packing up.

A bus with my glider color on it.

We transferred in Roldanillo to get Ali back in time to prep for dinner. !

Marge went big with a sundae!

Mr. Hand gloves up for action. Mmm.

Back in La Union, juice (banana, mango, pineapple) and a half chicken had me full and content. It is Sunday and most shops are closed. I did find a few last minute items, but the time shopping made me miss the ride up in the Cipri. As I rounded the corner of the church, I saw them round a corner just a block away. No hay problema. I could have taken a Tuk Tuk or taxi but opted to brave the sun one last time and hiked back in 10 minutes. Boy that was hot.

The pool looked inviting, but I wanted to start packing early so I could hang out with everyone tonight. I got a few things sorted in my room before a siesta overtook me. I love the fan in my room!

The hotel staff gifted the guides serapis and some got hats. I love mine! I shaved my sunprotective stubble, donned my swim trunks and headed for the pool. Perfect temperature. Ahhhh.

John Dudley was gifted a serapi too, as he was with us all four weeks as a pilot on tour. Everyone loves Dudley.

Ali and the cooks did such a great job. I looked forward to meals every day. Thank you all for making the tours even better than before. Bravo!

After dinner there were awards for most improved and best flight, thanks to Clyde so brought them from Alaska for all four groups. Thanks Clyde (aka polar bear)!

John G. Thermal hunter. Poker player.

John G got the bear for coming here will only one mountain flight and then ending up with several flights over 3 hrs. Nice work.

Bianca really put farmer to work, amassing flights of 3-5 hours each day earning her the eagle award. Pow!

Of course there was also a foam party for the unsuspecting by the pool. Canisters of foamy suds that are harmless and fun to douse each other with were emptied in minutes. More needed for next time.

Next on deck was Tajo.

It's like horseshoes only you throw steel disks the size and shape of a small orange cut in half. Instead of a steel spike to hit, you aim at a metal ring embedded in clay within an angled box at either end of the playing area. The Magic is there are also paper triangles filled with explosive powder placed on the ring that is flush with the angled clay filled box. If you hit the triangle with the metal puck compressing it against the embedded metal ring, POW! Everyone cheers when this happens, and the only way to get more triangles is to buy more beer from the bar. What could be more fun?

This bar also had several pool tables.

Boris, Flaco and Brian playing a Colombian pool game with only two que balls (one for each team) an a scoring ball. The object is to hit your cue ball into the other one, and then any three rails, followed by hitting the dark ball. There are no pockets on this table. Fun.

Rob Sporrer playing "Kiwi" a visiting pilot also in Colombia, while Nathan watches. Carmen called with the kids on FaceTime and I showed them around the bar and tries Tajo for the first time as they watched. Home tomorrow!