Back to Main Page Back to Archive 2000

Index to weather maps

Hangola July 4, 2000

For the first time I had more than two days to spend at Hyner, and twice the stay made for more than twice the enjoyment as I had time to steep in the enviroment until the gentle lunacy of equilibrium set in. I actually didn't arrive until about 3 am saturday morning, so just with clear skies predicted threw a groundcloth on the ground and bundled up in a sleeping bag.

Participants from our area included Lynn Alexander and Craig, Beard, the Hardwick troope, the Vogel troope, Louis and Doreen, Steve Krichten, Bunkhouse Bob, Steve Padget, and Ralph Sickinger. Most had to leave on Sunday, but Krichten, Louie + Dorie, Beard and myself waited it all out.

There were mainly sleds on saturday, with all the 2's getting in one or two flights. They're clamping down on the rule of having observers both on top and in the LZ with radio contact, which is a very reasonable rule for the first few flights into that notoriously switchy LZ. There should probably be a two tiered system so that higher experience 2's don't have to jump through the hoops.

Nearly the same story on Sunday, though on one of those days Steve Krichten pulled off an altitude of 4k for a flight of over an hour. Need to throw some lead shot in his morning grape nuts.

But the beauty of Hyner lies with the nocturnal sessions. With Fred and Rae absent the players were at a bit of a loss for what to do without the focal point around the green bus, so the statue of liberty fell to the wayside. But there were drag races and naked fire jumping, and Spoons expanded to fill the vacuum. That guy always amazes me. If you haven't met him, I won't try to describe it. I won't really try to describe my introduction to "sky sperm", except to say it involves a condom, some kite string, the juice from a glow stick, and a tank of helium. Breathtaking. Then the next day he found a couple of flies mating, so took the opportuity to tie someone's hair around the male, yanked him free from his lover just as his tongue was beginning to lull out from passion, and carried him around the campsites as a pet on a leash. Sickly creative.

The Vogel and Hardwick bunch started a jam session, and Sparky joined in to float into his own trance-like world; where someone would hum a snatch of melody, to find it echoed in Spark's soft pontilations. Ethereal. There was plenty of vocal and instrumental talent to keep things rolling in the real world as well, as Steve and Brian plied their guitars as Leslie and Sharon carried the melody with style enough for the stage...so long as they remembered the words.

Steve put together a float trip. He estimated that the average speed of the river was 2 mph, so if we put in at 3 miles upriver, it should take about 1.5 hours, right? A little word of advice about statistical averaging of velocity: it ain't that simple. for example, what's the average of 4 mph and 0 mph? How many said 2 mph? Sorry, it averages to 0 mph in this river context, as we found as we floated forlornly in the middle of a placid pool, noticing that not only was launch not getting any closer, the big tree right across from us was still right across from us. Fortunately Brian H. had a pair of much maligned oars, and as we were tied together pulled us out. And out. And out.

Well, I've dragged on, but the last thing I should do is recommend the theatre in Lock Haven on a rainy night. It's one of those opulent 11940-s style buildings, with drapery and painted pillars, and murals along the walls. Make sure you get in the old original theatre, not the newer additions on each side. You'll have plenty of time to wander in and look, as in true small town fashion our movie started a half hour late. On the other hand, I cannot recommend THE PATRIOT for anything except a rainy evening.

Darn sorry to hear Hyner didn't speck people out over the weekend. Rae and I were hoping for boowa conditions for all of the Hynerites and really missed being with you all. We did hear though that ole Steve Krichten climbed out for an hour forty to 4K on Sunday in one of the only bubbles, that rascal. Sure hope there were some good flights to be had before people left on the fourth.

Since we were stuck in the area we did get out to fly locally. Saturday at Ridgely it was crystal clear and the wind was NW, calm to 5 mph. Geoff Mumford and I were off around 12:30 P.M., but back in the field in short time as it hadn't quite perked yet. Raean, off next, stayed up but developed a bad muscle spasm in her back so chose to stick at the Airport and landed in less than an hour. Launching again at 1:15 P.M. I landed at 4:45 P.M. east of Laurel for a total 3:30 flight and 38 miles. I'd had quite a few saves below 2K by hunting for birds, and specked out around 5,800'. I could see the condos on the ocean, Bethany Beach or Fenwick Island, off to my east. I could have kept going but I ran into the brick wall called a sea breeze. When the wind switched I also ran out of clouds and now with a headwind I had to deck it.

Sunday was SW 10 with a lot more haze. I punched off of tow underneath the tandem ship and climbed out to over 4K. Chad and passenger in the billow cruiser were about 100' above me and were spanking my butt as I couldn't catch them. I left for another cloud with my tail between my legs. Good job, Chad. Though there was a quartering wind off my left it was a light breeze with little drift. I cloud hopped toward the northeast, diverting around the Dover airspace. North of Dover I reached a high altitude gain of 6,800' agl under a cloud that was still pulling me up. A little concerned with the rowdy conditions nearing cloudbase I bailed and headed toward the town of Symrna. Conditions were deteriorating and I made a beeline toward Odessa. Low over a good potential LZ I saw a party in full bloom so decided to drop in for a beer, food, and good looking ladies.

The GPS gave me a straight-line distance of 34+ miles. Mike Chevalier was about 10 miles behind me, having decked at the small, non-restricted Symrna Airport. Rich Green had landed at Felton with 16+ miles. Rae, driverless and radioless, had stayed over Ridgely to work driver again for me, but got 2:10 and cloudbase.

All in all, in two days I got over six hours and 72 miles. I didn't best Raean's 42 miles of the week before, but I'm closing in on her butt.

Tuesday the 4th , Raean, Bob Buchanan and myself went to High Rock to transport up the remainder of the building material for the pavilion. Bob did exceptionally well for his first Cliff Launch and almost had the best time at 2:00. But you know who won the day? Yep, Sky Bitch Raean with 2:15. From 2:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. conditions went from very light, to soarable, to smooth light thermals, to a flush cycle, to sweet magic. I timed in with 1:00, got bored, so buzzed launch shouting, "this one's for Woody Jones." I know he heard me cause he smiled on me, granting me a good landing. We miss ya, Woody.

With 3 flights over the long weekend I racked up a little over 7:15 hours on my La Mouette. Man, that glider is the best ship I've ever flown - great preformance with excellent handling. Can't wait to get in her again. If you're in the market for a new ship, I highly recommend this glider. Contact Richard Hays from the Maryland School of H.G. for details.

On a different note: If you want to get used to the air over High Rock before the grand 25th Anniversary Bash September 16th, come on out Saturday July 15th, fly, and give us a hand building the shade pavilion in the LZ. You can call me for details 410-357-4144.

Lets go FFFFFFFLLLLLLYYYYYY
Fly Safe
Fred

	previous page	back to top	next page

This page last updated July 5, 2000