With a sky like that what are they waiting for?

   We have been towing at the Dansville airport while other activities keep us out of Geneseo. Sunday was a good day with intro and training flights early, soaring flights mid day and then scooter towing, more intro and training tandems when conditions wound down.
   For a warm up I took Todd's U2 for a test flight to determine if it had a problem. It towed just fine and I dropped off tow at 500' then had to find sink and force it down to give it back to Todd so he could fly. I waited for a sail plane to launch then dove it in to a premo no step landing. On my second flight Mark dropped me in a nice thermal and I took it to cloud base and the cool air of  5300' ASL, with a great view of the sail planes and other hang gliders towing up I boated around then came in for a second no step landing.

  The picture is of everyone sitting around talking about flying but no one wanting to be the first one to try after watching Bob and Ron sink out, Moritz finally went and then I went up again and when we stuck everyone piled off.

Flights: 2
Airtime: 1:02
Max Alt 4773 AGL
Fun Factor: 8

Trike flying at Long Acres

We went out to Long Acres farm in Macedon to set up the clubs trike and give out new trike pilot, Mark a work out. Ron, Linda and myself started rigging our gliders and as I was setting up I noticed a crack in one of my tip wands. It it a flexible fiberglass rod that forms the curved tip on the glider and if it broke while flying it may not make the glider fall out of the sky, it would still really suck. So although I have an extra one it was at home so I was done for the day. I worked as ground crew and got Linda and Ron in the air and then convinced Mark he should take me for a ride and I got a quick trike lesson. Here are a few pics I snapped while up and cruising around at 1500'.

Paddling Hemlock Lake

First trip of the year, Mandi borrowed Cody's kayak and we headed out. The lake water is high and cool and it was a good respite to the heat. We were discussing ways to bring Alyss along next time. Pulling her along in a inner tube is leading the options for now. Here is a short video clip.

Make hay when the sun shines

Or make tracks when the snow falls!! A return to winter brought a few inches of wet heavy snow yesterday so after work I took the chance and loaded up my gear and headed for Harriet Hollister State Park on the south end of Honeoye Lake to see if the additional 900' of altitude had made a difference. It sure had, 8-10" of snow greeted me and although it was wet and a little sticky I got in a quick 5k before the light started to fade. It was snowing as I left so anyone that can get out today should find good conditions again.

Life is a beach!!!

I took the day off from work and headed NE to the eastern shore of lake Ontario, to Southwick State Park. The prediction was for NW going W and 14 knot winds, perfect for traction kiting. It was a little light when I got there and met Bob, the beach's chief buggier. I tried a couple different kites with no luck and was starting to worry the trip was for naught when Bob offered the use of his NPW9 3.4M and it did the trick. I powered around for the better part of an hour before fatigue started setting in. The wind had gone W and the velocity picked up so after a break I got my NPW 3M out and it was now enough. My longest run was a mile and a half to the south before turning around to come back. It was a blast and I will definitely go back. It was great to meet Bob and Pat, thanks to Bob for his introduction to the area and use of his toys.
Note to self, if you are going to run the edge of the water, wear waterproof pants and gators. Brrr that water was cold!!!
Pics are of Bob and his NPW9 3.4M

Boogie in the buggy

I met with Ron at Cmac and the winds were cranking. He has redesigned his land sailor and needed to test it. So of course I had to go along and make sure he stayed safe. A couple hours later and it was pronounced a success.
I started with a 1.8M kite and quickly moved up to the 3M NPW. 2.5 hrs, 15miles, and a max speed of 33mph, what a blast.
Here are a couple pics of Ron "hiking" across the lot. Nice!!!
Cut and paste the link for a youtube video of Ron and his landsailor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuvT0IfYurk&feature=youtu.be

Kayaking Irondequoit creek

I met Ron and a bunch of folks from the Rochester Outdoor Adventure Club at Irondequoit Bay and we dropped cars and headed for Ellison Park. We paddled for about an hour and a half back down stream to the bay. It was my first time there and I was amazed how there can be such a seemingly wild place so close to Rochester. The day was amazingly summer like and a great way to start the paddling season.