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Hangola July 2-5, 1999

Surprisingly fine flying at High Rock for a HOT day on July 5. With predicted high of 101, but forecast winds of NW 10-15, several of us braved the heat and headed to the Rock. Winds were pretty whippy, with lots of gusts for most of the afternoon. First brave soul was Marvin Presley, who launched about 2 pm. He got up high but reported pretty bumpy air. With a notably gusty launch and that report, the rest of us waited it out. Several of us headed down to Rocky's for a mid afternoon lunch.

Returning about 4:00, we helped Doug Wakefield off next. Marvin had landed, so Doug had the sky to himself for a bit. Mike Chevalier followed him shortly afterward though, and they each got some nice altitude.Mike logged 1:20 and 2,400 over, much of that out over the valley, beyond the orchards. We waited for another level of calm to come in, and sent Dan Tomlinson off about 5:45. He claimed a 2 hour flight and about 2K over launch. I was off next at 6, and had a fun 50 minutes, reaching 1,500' over at the ridge. Mike C landed so he could Observe Steve Padgett off for a late smooth sled about 7:30. I landed with Mike to provide crew for Steve. Meanwhile, Eddie Miller and Kurt Kemerer had put to the sky for an evening glass off flight.

Special thanks for the day go to Bacil Dickert, Juan Sonen, and Bob Gillesse, who all played wire crew for many of us, but never did fly. Bacil and Juan had their gliders, but neither liked the early-to-mid afternoon air, and decided not to fly late. Bob had come up just to see who was there, and ended up a very helpful crewmember. Juan is now living in Martinsburg, and reports an easy 35 minute drive time to HR. I think he may join the HR locals for late afternoon flights there during the week.

Happy Independence day!

Cragin S

It was a fun few days at Hyner. Local luminaries included Rich Donahue, Fred and Rae Permenter, Judy, Beard, Lynn Alexander and Steve, Bruce and Barb, Steve Krichton and upcoming pilot Don (who's last name I WILL learn), Bob Buchanan, Doreen, Matt and Karen, Ed Reno, Allen Sparks, Brian and Shelly Hardwick, and Chuck Pyle. Gardinator and Sheila were there with Sheila's sister. Kate Spoont presided over her enchanted grove. All the colorful fixtures in the form of Spoons, the Pagens, Scooter, et al were there as well.

I understand that the flying was good on friday, but I wasn't there to appreciate it. Chuck and Ed explored the cloud-diving envelope saturday morning. I arrived to find a pack of gliders soaring early saturday evening, and nearly everyone got some airtime. It was my first time soaring this site, and it really tests the concentration when you don't have a nice friendly ridge to float back to when you get dumped from a thermal.

bob buchanan distinquished himself that evening. Matthew observed him off before me, and he started fighting to stay up in the razor edge thermals. I waited until he seemed to be no more that 600 feet high and about to sink out before I launched. I was working hard for the next ten minutes to stay a few hundred feet above launch. Then I looked up, and what did I see but gosh-damned stinky-bellied bug-besputtered BOB about 100 feet above me. how the HELL did THAT happen? (turns out Bruce had grabbed the radio as bob flew through a thermal and shouted "Stop S turning and CIRCLE!") For the next 15 minutes I chased his underbelly, but never caught him....he was flying with all the wily know-how of an old buzzard and I was flummoxed at every turn. Fortunately he eventually sunk out before me, and I could come in after him with a few shreds of dignity ready to shake the hand of the guy who spanked me. Congratulations Bob!

The drag races were exceptional, with Bob Buchanan bringing glory to his club by raking in first place in the "best of breed" competition. All the he-bitches then retired to the bar for a surrealistic scene right out of Rocky Horror.

They were experimenting with black powder that night, and the statue of liberty went off in one huge WHOOSH!!. A tent was blown up for the delectation of the crowd, and no less than two morters were firing nearly continously that night. Most of us southerners then retired to the river for a nice midnight soak. Spoons kept a group of pilots off the streets of Renovo with his helium soap bubbles. Flashlight beams refract and reflect off them, causing them to light up with dancing spots of color which makes a very passable UFO. I came upon them sitting in a dark semicircle of lawn chairs with spoons standing in front like a party magician. he'd blow a bubble and they'd all dutifully point their flashlights at it until it blew away. Looked like something fit for a god-damned geriatric ward. I figured that anything which could keep a pack of pilots this docile had to have redemptive qualities.

sunday morning I went up to Launch with Ed and allen and Sheila snd Gardinator to check out the cloud diving potential. blowing too strong, clouds too low. Waited until they broke up and sledded. That afternoon was devoted to extended sleds and river soaks. A fairly quiet night with some more fireworks, and in retrospect this was actually the night of the bubbles.

On monday morning, ED, allen and I headed up to try another cloud dive. The conditions were a little better so hopes were high. Once they begin to break they go quick, so I barely skimmed the top of one over the river before heading out to land. There was a small group of us that afternoon, including the Pagens, the Permenters, Spoons, Scooter, Ed and me. Went to a special swimming hole buried deep in a cleft of the hills with ice cold water, a little water fall, and cliff with rope swing. Beautiful walk up the fern-cloaked stream to get there. Ed continued his air slut activities by racking up several minutes at least on the rope swing.

We came back, picked about a gallon of black rasberries behind the green bus, bought a half gallon of vanilla icecream and had ourselves a little indulgence before breaking camp.

Can you tell i'm not that excited by work right now?

-Brian.

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This page last updated July 8, 1999