Day 6 Tour 1

It began as a spectacular day. It ended that way too. 

Fresh fruit, scrambled eggs and watermelon juice with a little café was just the ticket. I am flying solo with my group today. I'm prepared to fly for hours. 

I was DJ for the ride up by blue tooth from my phone to Flacko's radio. Good tunes, good times. 

The day was on!  All but three got up and stayed airborne for long satisfying flights. I got super low with one of my team and he landed as I got my low save for the day. Tomorrow we fly tandem together to maximize the experience and airtime. 

We gaggled well today and as a result many made it across the valley and either landed on the other side or flew back with me to make a modified box pattern connecting most of the four cities we fly over. 

As the day went on we experienced some taller clouds and some shading too. Overdevelopment was a concern. 

Rain was visible south and behind Roldanillo so we knew it was likely to gust and as late as it was, we expected strong west wind at any time. 

Carl and Spencer made it back to Roldanillo from Zarsal with me and climbed to nearly 9000 feet there. 

Carl took his glide to Oscars LZ below the take off, effectively making his flight an 'out and return,' something special in the flying world.  He reported strong west wind later as we flew on to La Union and   climbed out again. Spencer was the last of my group and wisely flew away to the east towards La Vitoria to land in the middle of the valley. Brian Howell had been with us the whole time and he and I easily made the glide to La Vitoria ahead of the wind and landed uneventfully. Five to 10 minutes later the wind picked up, but it was nowhere as strong as the La Union side where Rob was calling on the radio that the wind was gusting to over 25 mph. 

Our welcoming committee remembered us from previous years and hung out with is as we packed and then led us to the bus stop. 

Back on the bus, we headed home for chicken and juice. Always a welcome end to a long day in the saddle. 

Ahh, love this place. Good times with good friends and sharing good food. 

We still had a full dinner just a few hours later, and it was wonderful. 

After a debrief with my group, and call to home, it was off to bed.  I was exhausted. 

Sueños Dulces para mí. 

Martín