Volume 27

I've been feeling depressed recently, mostly over my inability to find a new lady love. My lifestyle contributes to the problem. I have no normal way of meeting new ladies, as there's no one of interest to me at work, and I go away flying almost every weekend. Also, I have no social life other than hang gliding, so I never get invited to parties.

The ending of the hang gliding season is probably another underlying cause of my depression, as the rainy season comes in, dampening the thermals.

Hang gliding is still at center stage for me, however, and it has been a good year, with over 80 hours of flying time, getting my Hang-4 (Advanced) rating, and improving my landings pretty much, as well as a good trip to the Owens Valley.

I'm thinking in terms of getting a new hang glider soon, but am waiting for something that has the performance of a Comet, but is simpler, more convenient, and better handling.

With regard to other aspects of my life, I'm still pretty content.

Mary and I are still best of friends and I appreciate her continued friendship. She seems to have mellowed out over the past year, doesn't get uptight or angry as easily. She's still hang gliding too, improving steadily.

Sunday, October 11, 1981 - 2:30 PM

Met Kathy for lunch again Friday and we came over here. Also I'd called her earlier, suggested that she and her kids come with us to Hull Mountain this weekend so she could take some photographs for her project. She accepted and we decided to go Saturday if the weather looked okay, otherwise Sunday.

It rained Friday night, but was clear and blue skied when I awoke, so I said, "It looks good. Let's go," when she called. But as we headed north around 9:45, it looked worse and worse to the north, heavily clouded over, though with blue patches here and there.

We got to Lake Pillsbury, where we found Marty and Don, Steve White and Joyce, and Jon James. Bones and Sharol soon arrived, as did Hank and Deborah.

But, from looking like it might soon clear, it got cloudier, and started to rain. We put up a tarp between the Scouts, and stood under there to stay dry. Finally by 2:50 (after I took some time-lapse film of the clouds), we packed up and headed home. The others were planning on heading to Usal for Sunday.

Matt and Russ (Kathy's kids) were into the CB radio all day, trying to call other people on it, but never really getting anyone to reply, but having fun anyway.

Dick Swenson called last night, asking if I wanted to go to Usal today. I told him I didn't think so, but might change my mind by morning. But when he called at 7:30 this morning, I decided not to go. But it's been a beautiful day today, so they might have had good flying there.

Thursday, October 15, 1981 - 9:15 PM

Tuesday night was our annual hang gliding club meeting. It was at Rick Kannisto's house in Petaluma. I picked up Jon James, as well as the 16-year-old (whose name I can't remember), who had asked Jon for a ride.

There were about twenty people there, including Rick, Jon Minnick, Stretch, Anne, Roy, Hank, Sharol, Wayne and Bonny, Mark and Barbara, and some others.

I showed one of the films I'd edited before the meeting started, then we went on to the election.

Earlier Sharol had called, telling me that Don and Marty had wanted to write a proxy, but because of the accident (Steve White had crashed and broken his wrist), they had left without doing so, asked if I thought she could use the proxy anyway.

After looking it up in the By-laws, I felt that it would be improper, as it states that dated authorization must be on file in writing. Also it says that one person can only exercise two proxies.

Anyway, more on this later. It's after ten now, and I want to go to bed. I realized earlier that I'm a little down on Sharol and the way she did things.

Sunday, October 18, 1981 - 6:30 PM

Back to Tuesday night's meeting... I had planned to say something about the proxy situation, but Sharol announced she had four proxies (Bones, Marty, Kathy Davis, and Mel) and held them up. I was somewhat taken aback, didn't want to make an unnecessary issue, so let it pass, then we held the election, adopting the procedure of everyone putting their heads down except for the counters and non-voters.

We elected Jon James as Flight Director first, then went on to President. To my surprise it was a tie between Jon and me, and after a couple of runoff votes, Jon won. I was surprised, felt that Sharol, and her proxies, had probably voted for Jon. But that was okay, there was some relief in not being president any longer, but I was surprised, possibly disappointed, feeling a bit "let down."

Then, for vice-president, I was nominated, but Hank was elected. This was too bad, as he had wanted to be secretary. But we persuaded him not to drop out of that race, and he was also elected to that office. Then I was nominated for Treasurer, and finally elected to that position, which I didn't really want, but accepted, as it'll keep me on the board of directors.

We went on to give the financial report, talk about the Big Sur trip, and show more movies. But I came out of the meeting feeling somewhat depressed by the turn of events.

I decided not to go to Big Sur, as it was mostly beginners going, with Bones and Sharol, and I didn't feel I could take Friday off from work anyway.

Planned to go to Hull Mountain this weekend, but ended up not going. Hank had decided not to go, as had Jon and Ivan, and I didn't have a driver. Couldn't get in touch with Dick and Susan. Joe did call in the morning, but was only going up for the day, so I passed.

Mel and I planned to go up to Hull today, but he was up until 3 AM at a party, so didn't feel like going. So I went to the Flea Market instead.

Sunday, October 25, 1981 - 10 AM

On Wednesday afternoon, I took off from work at three and went with Mary to Dillon Beach, but it was fogged in thick, and blowing over 10 mph, so we came back home, stopping to visit with Bones awhile on the way.

Friday night I called people about flying, but the weather didn't look all that promising, as high cirrus clouds were supposed to come through Saturday. Others were also ambivalent, though Stretch and Roy, and possibly James, would be going, and Mel and Lynne also. I decided to pass.

Mel called Saturday morning, but I told him I'd pass, and though we couldn't see the sky yet because of a layer of fog, it turned out to be a high cloudy day, so there probably weren't much in the way of thermals.

It's after noon now (after setting the clock back an hour) and still cloudy outside, so I don't think I missed much in the way of hang gliding.

Sunday, November 1, 1981 - 2:10 PM

I'm just now recovering from a fine Halloween Party last night. But first, let me catch up.

It's been a nice weekend. On Saturday morning I picked up Mary around 8:30, loaded her glider along with mine, and we headed out to Dillon Beach. But, unfortunately, the wind was blowing pretty strong from the east. There were a lot of other people there, but no one flew.

I set up the Raven anyway, so Mary and I could practice tandem launch runs, which we did, getting to the point where we felt pretty confident about being able to make a pretty good tandem launch. Eventually, we came on home.

So later, I got my costume on (dyed blue one-piece thermal suit), and put blue makeup all over my face, then sprayed my hair blue also. Then with my beaked mask and bird feet, my costume was complete; "Blue Raven."

Mary thought it was pretty good too, and at about 8:50, I left for the party, which was being held at Jon and Nancy's friend Patti's house, off 8th Street.

Saw Jon and Nancy, and Patti. Jon was a "body snatcher" of the movie, with pods he was giving away. Nancy was all in green with antennae, Peter Pan, she said. And Patti looked good as Queen Zuma, a space queen. There were also Martians and others, all good costumes, and they liked mine too.

I was introduced to Carol, a very attractive lady, and her partner, a shooting star. She reminded me of Jill Clayburgh, was dressed as a space fairy, with a magic wand, a white leotard and colored legs. I found her very attractive, later told her so.

Went through their "maze" in back which included a black light box that Jon and Nancy had made, a "space graveyard."

Also met a girl named Jane, who had a brother who's a hang glider pilot in Colorado. She was attractive also, but has a work schedule that only lets her off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, never weekends. Then there was another lady named Nancy, who had on a silver hula skirt.

I ate a brownie, drank beer and punch, and was feeling pretty high, though somewhat spaced or tripped out. Did a lot of dancing, with Carol, Nancy, Jane, Patti, and Nancy, and some socializing.

Hank arrived, as a dragon (mask only, more like a hat) and Mel arrived later with a strange alien mask. Did talk some hang gliding, but not all that much.

Finally at about 2:30 AM, I got ready to leave, said my good-byes. Made it home okay, took a shower and went to bed. But I was in agony for awhile, very much hung-over, almost sick, moaning, belching, taking lots of aspirin and vitamin C.

Wednesday, November 4, 1981 - 6 PM

Took it easy on Sunday and went to bed around 8:30. Was still pretty tired on Monday.

Mary came over Monday evening for a little while. Also she asked if Denny could use my Cirrus-5 hang glider to practice, or rather to try out hang gliding. I said sure, and they went to Dillon Beach on Tuesday, where he had four flights, she said.

She didn't fly herself. I didn't mind lending him my glider, but was a bit annoyed that Mary was sacrificing her own flying time to get him into it.

I've been feeling depressed off and on these days, and I've let a lot of things slide, like correspondence, chores, etc. The house is a mess, and I have little energy for cleaning it. Instead I sit around, watch TV, and don't have much energy for anything else. I'm somewhat down on myself for this, but not really inspired to change. Christmas is approaching, so I hope I can get up the energy to get caught up on my correspondence at least.

Monday, November 9, 1981 - 7:20 PM

Called around on Friday evening to see who was flying where. Stretch was going to Willits and Hull Mountain. Bones and Sharol, Hank, Jon, and I made plans for a day trip to Elk. Hank invited Meredith along to drive, which was nice.

But on Saturday morning, Jon decided not to go, as his back was hurting. We met at his house anyway as planned, and I visited with him and Nancy while waiting for Hank and Meredith.

After coffee and socializing, we got off in the Scout by 10:15 or so, stopped at The Bluebird Café for coffee, got to Elk around 12:30, where there were a bunch of gliders, a group from Hang Gliders West, with Eric talking them down by radio from the landing area.

Just before we arrived, a woman had made a downwind tree landing. It turned out to be Kathy Davis. I talked to her for a few minutes. Fortunately she wasn't hurt except for a few abrasions, but she'd bent her leading edge, she thought. She said she would never have gone down that far if she was doing her own setup, but somehow Eric had guided her down there. Too bad.

Bones and Sharol had arrived, and we loaded all four gliders on the Scout and headed up. Meredith was a bit shocked on seeing the road for the first time, but still agreed to drive down.

I set up the camera for some time-lapse photography of setting up the gliders. We set up on the South face where it was blowing up lightly. But unfortunately, a large band of high clouds had blocked off the sun.

Meredith agreed to take some movies, so I turned over the camera to her with a new roll of film.

(ed. note: See photos of Elk Mountain from the Sonoma Wings website.)

I was ready to launch first, so went for it. Made a good launch, but only then realized I'd forgotten to turn on my instrument, flew through some light pops near launch, but couldn't take advantage of it, had to head on out while trying to turn on and zero my variometer.

So I cruised on out, finding no lift as expected, and came over the landing area with 1000' or more. The wind had shifted, was now coming across the landing area lightly from the west, so I made 180's above the east hills until I was low enough for final approach. Made a good running landing, but would have liked to have flared. I let my legs swing down under me too soon, however.

The others soon followed me down, all of us with ten minute flights.

We took our time packing up, and watched other gliders coming down. A group had arrived at the top after I'd launched.

Rich Sauer managed to find some light lift and get over the top, as the sun had come out again.

Hank, Meredith, and I got packed up and said our good-byes. We stopped for dinner at the Henny Penny truck stop in Ukiah.

On the rest of the trip, Meredith and I established a good rapport, talking about our lives, and our changes. She mentioned that her Dad had died of cancer when she was eleven, and I told her of my mother's death, also of cancer, when I was eleven, and of my changes in theological school dealing with that and other things.

We also talked of relationships, divorce, and various other life experiences, having a very harmonious conversation, while Hank slept in the back seat for the most part. I like Meredith a lot, find her quite attractive.

We stopped at Jon and Nancy's for awhile, socializing for over a half-hour, as Hank gave him a back massage.

Came on home after saying good-bye, and went to bed fairly early.

On Sunday, I got up around ten, spent the day puttering around. Drove to the Flea Market, where I got a cooling system flush kit for the Scout. Then I stopped at Bones and Sharol's on the way home. Jon was there also. We looked at pictures (slides Rich Sauer had taken) and rapped for a little while.

Then I headed home to work on the cars. Flushed the Scout radiator and added antifreeze, then went to Kragen's for a kit for Hummer (my '73 Toyota), and did the same thing after installing the attachment in the heater hose.

Went to bed early.

Friday, November 13, 1981 - 9 PM

Another Friday the 13th, and it brought me another very pleasant surprise, in the form of a very warm card from Meredith.

(ed. note: I'd had a previous chance meeting on a Friday the 13th in 1974, which had led to a very intense and ultimately heart breaking love affair, so I wasn't unmindful of the possibilities of this omen.)

The card was an Ansel Adams black and white photograph of "Pasture, Sonoma County, California."

In it, Meredith told me how much she appreciated our conversation on the way home on Saturday. And she added, "It's such a pleasure to be invited into someone's mind and heart, an unexpected and a rare pleasure in the midst of the usual brushing of surfaces." She also said she admired me "for being so open and giving."

Needless to say, I was deeply touched, and responded by sending her an equally warm card, which I wrote this evening and just mailed.

So anyway, I'm on the verge of falling in love again. Already I've fantasized how things might be with us. She seems an ideal woman for me in many ways; attractive, intelligent, self-reliant, thoughtful, philosophical. She majored in Philosophy at U.C., and is very well read.

I don't want to let myself get carried away, however, might be reading too much into this, getting my expectations too high. I've responded with encouragement to her, even enclosed my phone number (as I don't have hers), so must await a further response from her.

Also, things are complicated by her relationship (whatever it may be) with Hank, who is my friend, which makes it awkward for me to make any advances. So the initiative needs to come from her (as it has) to enable me to keep a clear conscience. If it should develop into something more serious, I should talk to Hank about his feelings.

At any rate, at the moment I'm somewhat elated by the situation.

Wednesday was a holiday. I got up at the regular time to go to Dillon Beach with Mary. But the fog was pea soup, and she was tired, so we decided not to go.

I puttered around, cleaning the house, then discovered that the Scout was leaking antifreeze on the garage floor. It was the water pump, so I took it to the service station on the corner, where they replaced it for me.

Got back the first of the films with the new camera, the time-lapse one, and it was quite funny, a success. On Thursday, I got the one Meredith took, and it was pretty good, though blurred when she zoomed to a distance shot. But I hadn't given her complete instructions.

Today a big storm came in, and it's supposed to last through the weekend. There were winds tonight of up to 100 mph at the Richmond / San Rafael Bridge, and heavy rains.

The Double Eagle V balloon landed last night near Covelo, with Larry Newman aboard, after flying from Japan. That guy has a lot of luck.

(ed. note: Larry Newman was the owner of Electra Flyer Hang Gliders, of Albuquerque, manufacturers of the Olympus (Oly) and Cirrus hang gliders, very popular in the late 70's. He'd previously been aboard the first trans-Atlantic balloon crossing as well.)

We'd been planning to work on the road at Elk this weekend, but the rain has canceled that. So it looks like I'll just take it easy, catch up on things.

Tuesday, November 17, 1981 - 5:05 PM

Saturday was partly cloudy, and it rained again on Sunday, as expected.

On Saturday I went shopping, found a nice pair of flying boots at Big 5, the new sports store in Coddingtown. They're Italian, nice soft leather, lightweight, marked down from $42 to $24.99, a good buy.

Earlier Sunday, I called Mike Cate. He wants to get back into hang gliding, has started a savings account for it, is interested in my offer to let him use my Cirrus-5.

Wednesday, November 18, 1981 - 8:30 PM

Meredith called. We talked for about a half-hour, I think.

After writing my journal earlier, having dinner and watching some news, I'd gotten into reading more from my 1972 journal about my early days in Berkeley. So when the phone rang, it snapped me out of a reverie and I was a bit confused, or somewhat disoriented. But I thought it might be Meredith calling, and sure enough, it was.

She called to tell me that she really appreciated my card, that she'd read it over a few times and it made her feel very good. I thanked her again for hers, but we both seemed somewhat awkward, unable to go deeper, and I'm afraid it was my fault, as I was nervous and shy, afraid to break something delicate with inadvertent clumsiness.

So I told her I'd just been reading in my old journal, was in a different world, but was glad she called. Went on to relate that I'd recently run into an old friend after many years, and had gotten into reading the journal to remember those days. Then we talked on, and I asked about her situation.

We talked on and on, but not getting really personal, not really acknowledging our feelings or desires regarding each other, but keeping the conversation going, letting it flow from one thing to another; about the movies she'd taken, the Med, Berkeley, her separation, etc., but with many questions unasked and unanswered.

I got her phone number, told her I'd like to keep in touch, be friends, and she invited me to call or stop by if down that way, which I said I'd like to do.

So all in all, I guess we did as much as could be expected, laid the foundation for a future friendship of uncertain dimensions. The telephone is a difficult way to build a relationship. I'll have to be patient, see her when I can, and see what develops.

Tuesday, November 24, 1981 - 9:10 PM

Today was sunny for a change, with big cumulus clouds coming through from the NW.

Thursday, November 26, 1981 - 9:15 PM Thanksgiving

Wednesday was like a Friday at work, with a four day holiday to follow. It was sunny, but with large clouds.

Mary and I agreed to get in touch in the morning about going to Dillon Beach if weather permits. If not, I'll call Meredith to see about getting together. I think about her a lot these days.

Saturday, November 28, 1981 - 10:30 AM

Well, yesterday turned into a very pleasant day, and a wonderful evening and night.

On awakening around 7:45 AM yesterday, the weather looked cloudy, and towards the west, downright dark and stormy, not promising for a day at Dillon Beach. So I called Mary, and she decided to pass.

Today we awoke to a crystal clear blue sky day, to my surprise. After Meredith left, I called Mel, then Jon, then Roy to see about going to Elk. But Roy suggested it might be snowed in, so we decided to go tomorrow instead, if it's still nice.

Tuesday, December 1, 1981 - 5 PM

Dream: Had a dream this morning in which I discovered I could fly around the room, much like swimming in water. I taught a small child to do it too, and we both were flying around the room, having fun, to the amazement of others. Did a couple of somersaults or flips through the air also, and later went outside to try it, getting up to a tree, which I grabbed ahold of. It took some effort, but was great fun. That's all I recall. Don't recall who I was with.

On Sunday morning, it was another clear day, so I called Jon about going to Elk. He and Nancy were going to drive up together, so I called Mel, and he and Lynne made plans to ride with me.

We headed up to Elk, getting to the campground around 11:10. Roy and Fred had already headed up the mountain, so we waited to see them on top, or for them to come back down.

I'd called Roy the night before, and he'd said it had been snowed in Saturday, but they'd had a long flight from Pitney Ridge instead, staying up for an hour and twenty minutes.

Soon Jon and Nancy arrived, and in a little while Roy and Fred came driving down, saying it was still impassable. So we got the windsock, drove to the Pitney landing area, loaded all our gliders onto Roy's truck, and headed on up Pitney Ridge.

We set up our gliders. I took a time-lapse movie of Jon setting up. Roy and Fred were ready first, and were able to launch to the SE, but unable to stay up much longer than ten minutes.

By the time Jon was ready to launch, the wind had shifted to westerly, so we had to carry our gliders to the west launch, which is very shallow. You only get a few steps before some bushes, then the slope gets less steep. Jon made if off okay, so I followed, and also made a clean launch.

Headed out around a ridge looking for lift, found some, but also found turbulence. I'd get some lift, turn back to it, and then find sink frequently. Hung out over the ridge for a couple of minutes, but finally had to head for the valley, making it okay, but encountering strong NW winds up the valley from the landing area.

So I didn't make it all the way to the windsock, found a clear landing area before the wires, set up and made one of my best landings, keeping my feet in the stirrup behind me until flaring hard, and dropping down to a good landing on my feet.

Folded up, was picked up by Roy and Fred, and taken back to the landing area, where we rapped and drank some beer, before packing up and heading home. Got home around 5:30 PM.

Forgot to mention that Mel had decided not to set up or fly, as conditions were too marginal for his Fledge.

Called Meredith again and we talked awhile, as we do. She said she'd written me a letter (a good one, she said). And we also talked about Hank, and our hopes that he wouldn't feel hurt on finding out about our relationship. She said she had told him she wasn't into getting involved sexually with him or anyone else, so he'd become more of a "brother."

We felt there was no need to "announce" our relationship, but she didn't want to hide it either. Also she was to start her new job on Monday, and was excited about that.

Saturday, December 5, 1981 - 8 PM

Just got home from a day at Elk Mountain, but first let me bring this up to date.

I took Thursday off, and Mary and I went out to Dillon Beach. It was a nice day, but dead calm when we got there. On top, it was switching from south to east. So Mary finally launched over the south bowl, and had a long flight. She stumbled on her takeoff run, but recovered and got off okay.

But when we got back up, the wind had switched strongly to NE, later north, not flyable, unfortunately. So we waited on top until 2 PM, finally left, packed up, and went home.

Mary cooked dinner for us over at her house, then I came home around 7:30. Watched some TV, then went to bed around ten.

Also called Meredith this morning before leaving for Elk Mountain. The plans for tomorrow (Sunday) were still not firm. She said she misses me.

Left about 8:30 this morning to pick up Mike Mahoney and Tricia in Healdsburg, then on up to Elk, where we met Bones, Sharol, and Jon. Also, Stretch, Roy, and Fred were just flying down and landing.

We headed on up the mountain to get started on our road work, and spent a couple of hours digging and clearing drainage ditches for the road.

Finally we headed up to the top to fly. Stretch, Roy, and Fred had already gotten back up and were ready to launch.

We all set up, after watching them fly. Stretch was able to stay up for 50 minutes, scratching, and Fred had gotten above launch for a few minutes.

But conditions had deteriorated slightly when we were ready to launch. Rich Sauer launched first and was able to scratch around over the ridge low for a long time.

I launched next, had a good launch, but had trouble getting into my stirrup. Made a pass back, but way below launch, so headed over to where Rich was, out near the point. Circled with him for a little while, but he got up and I didn't. Scratched on down the ridge, gradually losing altitude, finally having to head out.

Came over the landing area with a couple of hundred feet, made a setup pass to the west over the trees in the campground, and cut it a little close, passing just a few feet above them, before turning east for a final pass before flying over people and campers, turning south and making a fine flared landing in the creekbed.

The others came down one by one, and we folded up our gliders. There were three vehicles left on top (not the Scout, as Tricia had driven it down), so Fred was loading up to take some people back up.

Mike wanted to fly again, so we loaded our gliders on, as did Jon, Roy, and Stretch, and we headed up again, with Sharol coming up to drive their Scout down.

We set up quickly, as the sun was going behind the mountain, and Stretch launched first. I launched second, flew out around the point close, looking for lift, but not finding any, only areas of reduced sink. Stretch was scratching his way down below me.

Finally we had to head out, after eight minutes or so. Made a good set up over the campground, and landed toward the south, not quite as good a flare as my earlier one, but okay. Stretch landed at the same time at the other end of the area.

Soon the others all came down and we gradually got our gear packed up, left around five or so. Dropped Mike and Tricia off, and came on home. I'm about to take a bath, then go to bed.

Friday, December 11, 1981 - 7:15 PM

Took the day off today and went hang gliding at Elk to fly a demo Comet. But first, let me catch up.

Last Sunday, I decided not to go to Pittsburg to test fly gliders. I was run down, preferred to rest up.

On Tuesday evening, Mary and I had dinner together at her house before I left for the Sonoma Wings meeting at Ernie's.

There were about ten or twelve of us there, including new people; Dick Fugett, an older guy, now practicing at Dillon Beach, and a guy named Ron.

I showed movies, then it got somewhat boring, as we talked about a proposed parachute clinic, and about various sites. At ten or so we adjourned and showed the movies from Hull, which I'd spliced together into a big reel.

Mark asked to borrow that reel so I loaned it to him. Then I left and came home, as I didn't want to stay up too late. Was pretty tired at work the next day though.

On Wednesday, Bones called me about going to Elk on Friday, so I put in for a vacation day. We were meeting a UP factory rep named Mark Bennett at Elk around eleven.

So I picked up Bones at 8:30, and we headed on up, picking up Mike and Tricia in Healdsburg. It was a pretty, sunny day, with patches of fog from Cloverdale to Ukiah.

When we got there, we found that the exhaust pipe on the Eagle Scout was loose at the manifold, and we couldn't tighten it up. While heading up the hill something smelled like it was burning, so we stopped, saw that some wiring was getting a blast of hot exhaust gas.

So we cut up some tin cans we found by the roadside to make a deflector, which worked okay. Then we headed up the hill, sounding like a tank.

The road was muddy and there was one bad part we almost didn't make, but we got through okay.

A light breeze was coming up the south face, not soarable, but light thermals were coming through. So we set up our gliders: Bones, the 184 Gemini; Mike, the 164 Gemini; Dan, Sharol's small Comet; and me, the 165 Comet. Mark came up to drive the Scout down. He'd recently broken his arm, so couldn't fly.

Bones launched first, made some passes out front, but gradually slipped down the mountain. Then Dan launched, headed out, and then I launched.

I turned right along the ridge and made a turn in front of the knoll and headed back. But I probably should have stayed out near the knoll, as I got back lower, kept making passes, getting used to the glider, but was gradually getting lower out front. Felt pretty good turning it, was able to pass close to the ridge in good control.

Finally headed on out when I'd sunk halfway down the mountain. Practiced some stalls, which were very mild, finally came out over the campground and set up my landing.

There was almost no wind in the landing area, so I set up far back, worried about going too far. Came down okay, but found myself yawing a bit, and perhaps overcorrecting, then the little ridge along the creekbed was right ahead of me, so I flared, but didn't stop dead, and dropped the nose. Not too bad a landing, but disappointing. Anyway, I liked the Comet pretty well, but am not crazy about it.

Bones was staying up there, so after folding up the gliders, Mike, Tricia and I headed back home a little after five. Mike had a very good flight on the Gemini 164, about 18 minutes, about what I had. Dropped them off, left a glider at Bones' house, and came home.

Friday, December 18, 1981 - 7:48 AM

Also, I went ahead with the idea of getting Jon a handheld CB radio for his glider for his birthday, which is Sunday the 20th. This evening I've been calling around some more, and have pledges for $80 from others toward it.

Saturday, December 19, 1981 - 2:40 PM

Last night I called around some more about Jon's birthday present, and soon secured the full amount for the radio. Felt pretty good about it. We'll probably converge on his house tomorrow afternoon around 2:30 to give it to him and party a bit.

Got up and went over to Bones' house to pick up Mary's Christmas present, a parachute. Also got her a locking caribiner.

We talked about "the Duck," and he showed me a card he got from Wills Wing, which was pretty funny. And he signed the birthday card for Jon. Sharol wasn't there.

It's a very wet day, with reports of flooding up by the Russian River.

Tuesday, December 22, 1981 - 9:15 PM

Took it easy Sunday morning, another rainy day, though clearing.

Called Hank and planned our timing for descending on Jon's house. Hank would come to pick up the Raven, and we'd all arrive at Jon's at 2:30. So I called around to the others. Ernie asked for a ride, so I agreed to pick him up.

It was clearing up by afternoon. When we got to Jon's at 2:30, we waited a few minutes for Bones and Sharol to arrive. Hank was there, and Mike and Trish had just arrived, so we went in, found them in the backyard setting up the Raven, gradually appeared, finally springing our surprise on Jon.

He liked the radio, of course, was surprised and pleased, and we stayed around drinking beer for a couple of hours. Bones got pretty drunk, as did others of us.

Eventually we adjourned the party to Ernie's, where we were going to get in the hot tub. Evidently Bones and Sharol got into a fight on the way over, as he and Tri (their dog) came in without her.

Later, when Ernie, Jon, Bones, and I were in the hot tub, Sharol came in, got the keys from Bones' pants and left. She and Bones were hardly communicating. We invited her in, but it became quickly apparent that she and Bones were at odds, and she left.

Bones was in a talkative mood, though pretty drunk and spaced. He told us, when we mentioned their spat, that he and Sharol were probably "on the rocks." I told him I thought they were a good team, that they complement each other, and hoped they could resolve their differences.

But he said he didn't think so, said he was going to go away for awhile, to Dunlap, I think he said, wasn't sure what would happen with the business. We were sorry to hear of his troubles.

Then we all played pool for a couple of hours, Bones and I versus Jon and Ernie, having fun, joking a lot. Finally we broke up, and I came home around eight. I was pretty wasted, went to bed early, but felt okay by Monday morning.

Wednesday, January 6, 1982 - 9:15 PM

Well, it rained all night Sunday, and all day Monday, and was the worst storm in thirty years. Many people couldn't get to work because of the flooding, and it was even worse in Marin and Santa Cruz Counties, with floods, mudslides, houses washed away, bridges collapsing, etc. No problems in my neighborhood, however.

By today it cleared up, and people began to clean up after the storm.

Friday, January 8, 1982 - 7:55 PM

Today at work, I put up a notice saying I'd be showing hang gliding movies on Wednesday at 12:15. A few people seemed interested.

The weather was sunny today. It might be a nice weekend. Talked to Jon James on Thursday evening. He made it back okay from Colorado, through bad weather.

Thursday, January 14, 1982 - 8:30 PM

Talked to Sharol Tuesday evening. She'd heard I was showing hang-gliding movies on Wednesday at work, wanted to come. Also I told her I was interested in the Wills Wing Duck. I'd gotten my Hang Gliding Magazine and read that it was being released.

Showed the movies on Wednesday and got a pretty good turnout and response, though there was a problem with the lights. One wouldn't turn off, and there was too much light for a good clear picture. Sharol came with Karen, Don Krell's wife, who also works at Muni Court.

Also talked to Jon James on Tuesday night. He's going skiing this weekend. Also he got a new job, went to Hewlett - Packard. We talked awhile.

Talked to Bones Wednesday night. I told him I thought I wanted to get a Duck, and he thought I should probably get my order in soon, as there'll be a backlog. I agreed and probably will.

Also called Hank. It doesn't look like a good flying weekend, as Sharol had told me there was a foot and a half of snow on Elk Mountain (She'd talked to Rich Sauer). So Hank was thinking he might go skiing with Jon.

Wednesday, January 20, 1982 - 10 PM

It's been raining for the last two days again, with low level snow, so Elk Mountain is surely impassable again, unfortunately.

Talked to a bunch of people Monday night, including Anne, Stretch, and Sharol. I'm planning to order a new Wills Wing Duck when Bones finds out if he can be a dealer for them.

Thursday, January 21, 1982 - 8 PM

Today was a sunny day with NW winds, a good Usal day actually, though very cold.

Talked to Bones this afternoon. He's doubtful about getting dealer status with Wills Wing, was expecting to hear from Rob Kells today. He said he's planning on ordering a Duck himself, too, if he could get the dealership.

Talked to Jon tonight. They'd had a nice ski weekend. Hank had gone also. And he talked of progress with Goat Rock as a flying site.

Sunday, January 24, 1982 - 1:50 PM

Came home afterwards and started to draw a bath, but a few minutes later there was a knock on the door, and it was Stretch and Anne, who were out walking Spanky.

We invited them in and they visited for a little while. I think they were surprised to see Meredith here, though they remembered her from Hull Mountain last summer. They were happy and laid back.

After awhile Stretch and Anne left, saying they were going to fly Mt.Tam on Saturday. Also they'd told of their trip East, and of their sad loss of Feather (their cat) in Arizona.

Thursday, January 28, 1982 - 4:20 PM

It rained again last night and this morning. It's been a very wet winter.

Monday, February 1, 1982 - 12:45 Noon

It was shaping up to be a nice weekend and the weather looked promising for a trek to Usal, so I called other pilots, and Mel was also interested in going.

Jon and Hank were going skiing, Bones and Sharol were going to the Sierra Pacific meeting, and Ivan was sick with the flu. Stretch, Anne, and Roy went to Santa Barbara. Fred wasn't home.

In the morning, Meredith and I got up around 7:30 to get ready to go to Usal. It looked like a beautiful day, and we'd decided to camp overnight there.

Mel called around 8:30, said he and Lynne would head on up. We were having breakfast, and I said we'd get off around 9:30 or so, and would see them up there.

We finally got all our gear loaded up, tied my glider on, and headed out, stopping first for gas.

Then we headed on up the road towards Usal. We decided to take Route 128 to the coast for the nicer scenery. Got groceries in Cloverdale and stopped in Boonville for coffee.

The Anderson Valley is very pretty. Meredith bought a "Boontling" cookbook for her friend, Karen, who's into folklore. Boonville has its own dialect developed over the last 80 years or so. The valley is quite isolated so you can see how that could happen.

On up to the coast to Albion, past Mendocino, and we stopped again in Fort Bragg for a snack. Our spirits were very high over the beautiful day, being together again, and going camping together, which Meredith loves to do.

Finally on up to Usal, where Mel and Lynne were waiting, enjoying the nice sunny sky, but it wasn't soarable. There was only a light breeze from the SW, inexplicably. It was about 2:10 when we arrived.

We hiked on down to a bluff from which I could see part of the landing area, making sure for myself that I'd be able to land down there okay. Then we hiked on back up to the camp area, where I decided to set up my glider for a flight even though it didn't look like it would be more than a cruiser down to the beach. Mel didn't bother.

Soon I was set up. A bunch of Mexicans in a truck stopped to watch. I carried over to the SW bluff and prepared to launch. It was blowing only 3 or 4 knots.

Got my nose down, then made a good launch, immediately turning right along the ridge. With a tail wind, the turbulence along the bluffs seemed strange, so I kept my speed up and just headed on down the ridge. I was able to clear the last bluff before the gulch, headed inland over the bushes in a wide circle, then turned west again over the bushes to set up my landing.

Came on down in a clear area, bled off my speed and flared hard, a perfect landing on my feet, which pleased me. A good first flight for '82.

Meredith was soon down to pick me up. I soon got the glider loaded and we drove back up. Mel started a campfire while we set up our tent before it got dark.

Then we went back up to the fire, where we cooked a couple of hot dogs for dinner. My stomach was still bothering me every time I'd eat something, so I only had one. Then we all sat around the fire drinking some sherry.

We'd watched a beautiful sunset, and now it was a clear dark night. It soon got chilly so we finally put away our gear, as it looked like a front was moving down towards us, and retired to our tent around 7 PM.

Didn't sleep great, but well enough, and we were both still comfortably warm by morning. Got up before eight. I started a campfire, and we had coffee, then fried eggs, as well as applesauce bars for breakfast.

It had been quite windy at times during the night as the edge of the front had passed, but by now it was calm and clear again, with a slight northeasterly breeze. So it didn't look promising for flying though I'd gotten my hopes up during the night.

So after a leisurely breakfast, Meredith and I took a hike into the woods. We hiked around to the backside of the ridge where a strong NE breeze was whistling through the trees and the sun was shining.

When we got back to camp, Mel and Lynne had left, but a few minutes later they were back. Mel said that down at the end of the road it was blowing good and there were whitecaps at sea, but where we were it was still blowing from the NE. Evidently it was too northy, and we were sheltered by the big point to the north.

Anyway, we packed up our tent and gear and prepared to leave, planning to take a leisurely trip down the coast, stopping at Mendocino on the way. We left about eleven. Sure enough, it was blowing pretty strong near the connection with Route 1, but was too northy.

Stopped for coffee at an outdoor table café in Westport. Then on through Fort Bragg to Mendocino, where we parked, walked around, then stopped for coffee and pie ala mode. It was another beautiful and sunny day. We felt very relaxed and happy.

From there, we decided to go back via Route 128 rather than Route 1, to shorten the long drive, as we were both tired, wanted time to relax and freshen up at my house before Meredith had to leave.

Friday, February 5, 1982 - 5:10 PM

Heard from Bones this week that his application for a Wills Wing dealership had been denied, again due to the efforts of Hang Gliders West. This made me very angry, and I lay awake Tuesday night thinking of how we could help as a club. I also called Pat Denevan to get his feelings about the situation, but he wasn't there.

Anyway, I organized an approach by the board of directors of Sonoma Wings, called Jon and Hank, who agreed, then last night I typed the letter I'd drafted, which they'd approved, to Wills Wing, expressing our disappointment in their decision, our support for Bright Star, etc., urging strongly that they change their decision. Had a lot of energy for the project, got it typed with Jon's typewriter, signed and mailed off.

It was a good letter. Sharol and Bones were very much touched by our support, and grateful. Hopefully, it may have an effect.

I took today off to take Mary to Dillon Beach, picked her up around 10:15. But on getting out there, we found that the wind was from the east, fairly strong. So we turned around, stopped at Bones and Sharol's house, where we found them both home, with Dick Fugett there setting up his new Gemini.

I gave them a copy of the letter we sent. Sharol said she'd frame it. They convinced us that the wind at Dillon Beach would switch to south or west in the afternoon, and they were going to go out there, so we decided we'd go again for another try.

But on getting there again, it was still east, and not really flyable. Dick set up his glider again. We hung around and horsed around for the movie camera, which I had set up on a tripod for time-lapse photography. And eventually we left and came home.

Thursday, February 11, 1982 - 8:10 PM

Tuesday night I went to our Sonoma Wings club meeting, which was held at the Sonoma County Airport. There, we walked out to the hangar where the County helicopter is kept. Mike, a County observer, gave us a close look at it, and spent over an hour talking about it and answering questions. It was freezing though, and we were happy to head back to the lobby, where Jon gave us some news about various things. Left about 10:20 or so and came home.

Sunday, February 21, 1982 - 6:25 PM

The weather looked promising for Saturday, with rain probable on Saturday night or Sunday, so I called around on Friday night to get an expedition together. Bones wanted to go, as did Jon, Hank, and Mark Beilke, and Barbara was willing to drive.

Also talked to Mel, who had some business things to do, Patti, who was going to Baja with Ivan on Saturday for two weeks, and James, who was going to work on his land. Had also talked to Stretch, and he and Anne and Roy were going also. Roy had flown at Elk Mountain earlier in the week and the snow had melted off the road.

So on Saturday morning, I got up, showered, and headed over to meet at Bones' house at nine. We loaded the gliders, rode up in two cars, Jon and Bones with me, and Hank with Mark and Barbara. Had a nice ride up on what was shaping up as a beautiful Spring day, after getting out of the fog over Santa Rosa.

When we arrived around 12:15 or so, there were gliders over the top. They were Anne, Roy, and Stretch. We watched Anne and Roy land, then headed up the mountain.

Stretch was still up above the mountain when we got to the top, and there were six or eight other gliders on top setting up, including Fred, Rich, the guys from Napa, including Ken Lloyd (Raven), Art (Raven), Tom (Fledge), and Gilbert (Raven). We'd seen them last summer in the Owens Valley. Also there was Erin (Raven).

Anyway, the wind was shifting from the south launch to the west side. Erin got the last launch from the south side, and also got up.

Fred got launched, scratched low for a long time, looked like he was on his way to the landing area, but found a light thermal, worked it hard, and eventually got back up. Meanwhile Anne and Roy got back to the top and began setting up for another flight.

After everyone had moved from the top of the south launch, Stretch, after flying for over two hours, landed there, made a nice landing, and Rich Sauer did too a little while later. That was the first time I've ever seen anyone land on top.

In the meantime I'd taken some movies, driven the Scout down to the point, and finally set up there, where it was coming up now from the SW, not good for any of the established launches.

So Jon first took off to the SW, running hard then pushing out to get over the bushes after a shallow slope. Anne also launched there, and Bones got off from behind the twin competition launches.

Roy blew a launch and bent a downtube. But he repaired it and launched again later.

I launched after Anne, but at a poor time, as people were scratching all over trying to stay up during a relative lull. Had a good takeoff, however, and made some passes in front, looking for lift, but gradually slipped lower down the face. Saw Jon find a thermal near me, so flew under him, but couldn't stick with it. Looked further, gradually getting lower.

Bones had slipped down, had to land, and I was sinking lower, working what I could find, gaining here and there, but finally having to head on out. Then I looked back to see everyone else getting back up, but I was too low by then.

Made my approach. By now the wind was coming from the SE in the landing area, so I set up over the road and trees, made a good approach, and a fine flare, stopping me on my feet, a good landing.

But then Bones and I had to watch as everyone else sky'd out, getting to cloudbase and staying up for hours.

Stretch had another hour and 25 minutes when he launched again, and most others had from one to two hours. Jon went far south past Pitney and flew there with Rich and Ken for awhile, eventually came down.

I had 14 minutes, longer only than Mark, perhaps, though he was quite pleased with his flight.

We socialized in the landing area for quite awhile, 'til finally getting off for home around 5:30 or so. Jon, Hank, and Bones rode back with me, stopping at my house to give Hank new names and addresses for the Club, and to show them my Birds of Prey book.

Then we went to Bones' to unload their gliders. Sharol was home, had a nice teaching day at Dillon Beach.

Monday, February 22, 1982 - 8:30 PM

Talked to Bones today while at work. He called me tonight to tell me he'd gotten a call from George Whitehill, who invited him to breakfast on Sunday morning. He and Rob Kells are going to get together with Banana, evidently, and see if they can work something out, and will let Bones know if he'll get a Wills Wing dealership. Evidently the letter we sent had an impact, led them to reconsider.

I've got "new glider fever," have almost talked myself into a new Comet rather than a Duck, but will see how the meeting comes out.

Friday, March 5, 1982 - 7 PM

The week at work passed rather quickly and uneventfully.

Oh yes, Bones got his Wills Wing dealership Monday night, on a probationary basis, over the strong opposition of Banana (of Hang Gliders West). That makes me feel very good. But I probably won't get a Duck, as delivery is now out to July or August, and Rob Kells wouldn't give the introductory discount or any promises regarding delivery.

So I'll probably go ahead and order a UP Comet, but want to at least fly the Gemini 184 first. Sharol loves her Gemini, says it handles better than the Comet and has as good a sink rate, though not the speed.

I also talked to Anne and Stretch last evening. Stretch and James had an incredible flight from Sonoma Mountain on Wednesday, thermaling up to 1000' over, then flying at cloudbase out over the valley, over Sonoma State.

The weather's been clouding up again, threatens rain by Sunday, and high clouds on Saturday.

Monday, March 8, 1982 - 5:45 PM

Waited for Hank to bring Meredith up on Saturday morning, and they arrived around 9:15. But Hank had decided to go to Dillon Beach rather than Elk, as Jon was going to be there too, teaching, and also a woman who'd done some tandem flights. We couldn't persuade him to change his mind, even though the weather was looking very good, mostly blue sky.

So Meredith and I finished packing our gear and got off around 9:45. We gradually got close again, from our separate worlds, and felt good with each other, as usual. We stopped for coffee at The Bluebird Café in Hopland, then cruised on up.

In the landing area were a few gliders, including those of Stretch, Roy, Anne, Rich, and Sharol. Bones was still on top, and Anne had gotten a ride back up to get Roy's truck. It had been blowing strong from the SE and was trashy. So Sharol and Rich put their gliders on the Scout to go up with us, while Stretch and Roy waited for Anne.

On top, it had mellowed out, was soarable from the south, and a whole bunch of gliders were waiting to launch, including James, Fred, Mel, Bones, and the Napa bunch. I took movies of James and Fred taking off, before starting to set up my glider.

Everyone was able to get up in front, and by the time I launched, there were 8 or 10 gliders up. Had a good launch at 1:58, after Bones, Rich, and Sharol.

Soon Mel, Stretch, Anne, and Roy were launched, and the air was filled with 15 gliders all around, from 400' to 1000' over the top.

Bones' new Gemini 184 was consistently at the top of the stack, but Sharol wasn't so high in her Gemini 134. I was usually higher than she was.

Spent a long time just flying around out front enjoying the good air, then saw Meredith on the ground. She'd taken a hike down the west side of the mountain and was now heading back up. I flew over her and waved a few times. Also went out looking for thermals, circling back with them over the top.

After an hour or so, people began heading out over the valley, and eventually landing, and a few of us stayed near the top. Ken Lloyd followed a thermal high above the top and back behind the mountain. But when he left it, he was too far back to penetrate out over the top, and I next saw him way down the west ridge squeaking around, then out the valley towards the landing area.

Rich, another Raven, and I were the last three gliders up. At one point I was soaring near a Red-tailed Hawk over the knoll, as close as 15 feet above him. Then a little later, I spotted a larger bird with a white tail and head, evidently a Bald Eagle. I called Rich by radio, as it headed out toward him and he saw it too. Then it came back past me again before leaving the area.

As Rich headed out, he caught a good thermal over the landing area in which he thermalled up to 5200'. I headed out, but didn't find anything, so prepared to land. My highest altitude had been about 5100' in a thermal over the top.

(ed. note: Altitudes here are in MSL from here on.)

In the landing area the socks showed winds from the south. A few hundred feet high it was a pretty stiff wind, so I made my approach and came in pretty hot. I overshot my target, then flared with too much speed, popped up a few feet before stalling at about 8 feet. Held the bar out and came down hard and let myself swing through the bar, only bending it slightly.

I should have bled off a little more speed before flaring. My flight time was 2 hours, 44 minutes, a very nice and satisfying flight.

Meredith made it down okay, and we then set up our tent while it was still light. Then we had some dinner, after getting a fire going, with Bones and Sharol.

Later, we all sat around the fire with Stretch, Anne, Roy, and James and talked. The previous day, Anne had flown to Upper Lake, and Stretch had gone almost as far. Neither had known where the other was.

It was overcast and chilly on Sunday morning, and rain was predicted, but we decided to go up and see what it was like on top. Bones had told me I could fly his Gemini.

So we loaded five gliders on Roy's truck (James had broken a downtube, so wouldn't go) and headed up (Roy, Stretch, Anne, Bones, and I). But on top, it was blowing up to 30 from the SE, and was cold enough that no one was eager to fly. So we drove on down and prepared to head home.

After getting our gear packed, we all left, deciding to meet at Hank's Truck Stop for breakfast (actually it's called Henny Penny), having a nice breakfast and sociable gathering, before going our separate ways home (Bones and Sharol, Stretch and Anne, Meredith and I). It rained part of the way home.

I went to bed, pretty tired, around nine. Slept pretty well, but was somewhat tired and sore today.

This is Meredith's last week in Berkeley before moving up here. I'm looking forward to having her here, think we'll have a nice relationship together.

Saturday, March 13, 1982 - 10 AM

I got hit by a mean flu-cold bug yesterday, had a sore throat during the day, felt woozy in the afternoon, so signed out and came home sick at 2:30. Went to bed for a nap 'til after five. Since then I've been sneezing, and my nose running like a faucet. Have been taking lots of vitamins to fight it off.

Otherwise the week was much as usual at work and after.

Tuesday night was our Sonoma Wings meeting. Hank's friend Skip showed movies from Germany, South Africa, and Oregon, which were very good. And I showed the last couple of rolls I'd taken, which were quite funny with the time-lapse scenes of the road work, and the day at Dillon Beach, when Dick Fugett was setting up his new glider and Mary and I were clowning around.

Then we discussed Goat Rock and the parachute clinic for too long, and finally I showed another movie from 1980.

Bones called yesterday morning, was going to go to Elk Mountain with Mel, wanted to know if I wanted to go. But it turned out he had trouble with his Scout and couldn't go. Mel did, but they only had sled rides (Stretch and Anne went also).

Tuesday, March 16, 1982 - 7 PM

Slept pretty well, and felt well enough to go to work Monday morning. Decided to place the order for my new glider, a Comet, so talked to Bones from work, told him I'd be over after work.

Meredith made a nice vegetable dinner, and after that we headed over to Bones and Sharol's house. I finalized the color pattern with Bones, had a beer, and paid a thousand dollars down on it. I'll have it in three to four weeks, hopefully, and am excited by the idea.

A storm's coming in tonight. There was snow down to 1000 feet so far, so our mountains may get snowed in again.

Thursday, March 18, 1982 - 7:50 AM

Dream: On a tour in a faraway place, out in the wild country we come upon some flying horses. One is in a chasm, entangled with a woman. I help them get out and let the horse go free.
A man comes up, is annoyed that I let it go. It turns out he is hunting these flying horses because their corneas can be used for human transplants. I am outraged that he is slaughtering these beautiful and rare creatures for their corneas. He sees it as a noble cause for humanity, but I see it as outrageous human arrogance.
Later, back at the hotel, I'm talking about this with others, expressing my outrage. That's about all.

Monday, March 22, 1982 - 9:15 PM

I've got a lot of catching up to do, but I don't think I can do much of it now, as Stretch is here playing with the computer, and we had a beer, so I'm a bit fuzzy. Meredith has gone to Berkeley for the day and night, will return tomorrow evening.

We had a nice weekend at Usal, and I'll get to that later.

Tuesday, March 23, 1982 - 8:50 PM

Maybe I can get a little more caught up tonight, though it's not likely, as I'm a bit drunk from sherry, beer, and lovemaking, but I'll try.

By Friday, it was looking reasonably promising for a weekend at Usal. Earlier, Meredith wasn't sure she'd be up to camping, but her flu had subsided by the end of the week.

Called around on Friday night. It appeared Elk would be snowed in, so Usal seemed the best bet. Bones and Sharol were up for it. Also called Dick Swenson and Susan, who were also up for it; Mel, likewise. Patti and Ivan had other plans, as did Mark and Barbara. Ernie called and was also up for it, arranged to go with Dick and Susan.

Also talked to Fred. Stretch, Anne, and Roy were there, having flown Mid mountain on Friday, but they didn't seem enthusiastic.

So on Saturday morning Meredith and I got up, packed up, and left about 9:15 for Usal, both of us feeling pretty high. Weatherwise, it looked reasonably promising for a good day.

We stopped at The Bluebird Café in Hopland, and at another place in Laytonville for coffee, arrived at Usal around 1:30.

Mel and Lynne were there, as were Bones and Sharol. They were set up, but it wasn't soarable yet. I started setting up too, and Dick, Susan, and Ernie soon arrived.

Took some film and waited. Spring was to begin at 2:57 PM. Mel couldn't wait for Spring though, took off before it was soarable, and had to fly to the beach. But around three we saw the white caps moving in closer, and all of a sudden, around 3:10, it got soarable.

Bones launched first in his Gemini 184, and climbed right up high.

Sharol tried next. I tried to assist her, but every time she'd pick up, one of her wings would go up. After awhile she moved back, told me to clear, and tried to run off.

But her right wing dragged as her left wing rose, and she was put into a right turn on launch. She cleared the lip but couldn't start a left correction and was blown on back towards the cars, gliders, and trees in a big circle.

Our hearts all stopped as we watched in horror, but miraculously, she missed all the vehicles, gliders, and trees, and completed a 360 turn to land in the only open patch of ground there by the road, breaking her downtubes, but surviving unhurt, to our great relief.

After hugging her and making sure she was okay, I got my Raven and prepared to launch. I was able to pick up without difficulty, and made a good hard launch at 3:37, then proceeded to climb on up to 2000' or so.

Usal looking north from launch

Looking down from over launch

Looking south from over launch

Ernie and Dick also had good launches, and we climbed to smooth cool air. Bones stayed on top, Ernie climbed past me in his new Comet (new to him), but I was able to stay above Dick on his Highster pretty consistently.

Our maximum altitude for much of the day was 2800' to 3000', but Ernie and Bones later got much higher in a shear or something. Mel saw us skying out from the beach, so came up and launched again, this time joining us well above launch.

We had a fine time for the next couple of hours. I did a lot of steep turns, dives, and wingovers over Meredith, who was watching below, having a lot of fun, appreciating the maneuverability of my Raven.

Saw lots of hawks below, Red-tailed, as far as I could tell, but also an Osprey, I think, flying through quickly, with narrower wings and white head.

Finally, after 5:30 or so, the breeze was getting lighter and we were sinking to just above the cliffs, except for occasional thermals which would take us up higher.

I watched Bones land on the beach on the wrong side of the stream, Mel make a good landing on a small dry area, then Ernie land short, in the water, and Dick blow his landing, hitting the gradient, stalling, and breaking a down tube.

I set up last over the bushes, made a few 180's, then turned into the wind and made a good flare, landing on my feet, one of my best landings.

Mel said it was the best he'd ever seen me do. So I was pleased with a fine flight of two hours and 33 minutes, landing at 6:12 PM.

We packed up, loaded up, and headed up to the camp area where we'd launched. I set my tent up in the dark, while Meredith lit a campfire. Then we had our dinner of hot dogs, and some brandy we'd brought.

It was a beautiful clear night with lots of bright stars, including Orion's belt and the Big Dipper.

We talked and socialized around the fire. Sharol was in pretty good spirits considering her close call with disaster. Finally, Meredith and I went to bed.

In the morning, we started a fire, and made some coffee as others got up. Mel and Lynne had left the evening before, as they had to go somewhere on Sunday.

It was another beautiful day. We had some breakfast, folded up the gear, then Meredith and I went for a walk in the woods, following some logging roads to the east, eventually returning to camp around 12:30.

Ray Blumenthal and Karen had just arrived with gliders, but it didn't look very promising for awhile, so we all decided to head home. Dick and Susan wanted some time to themselves, so Meredith and I decided to give Ernie a ride home.

We decided to follow the coast down Route 1, and we saw lots of whales on the way, migrating north, blowing, and breaking the surface.

We stopped at Westport for coffee and snacks, then headed on south. North of Point Arena, we explored a beach where there was a nice ridge, much like Fort Funston, about 100' high and extending north and south a few hundred feet. There was a wide beach below and it was a fine soaring ridge on state park property.

Headed south to Jenner, then up the Russian River to Route 101, and home after dropping off Ernie. It was a long ride and we were both tired.

Stretch called and told me of their three days of good flying at Potter Valley and Elk Mountain. People got up and went long distances, to Nice, Bachelor Valley, Horse Mountain, were in the clouds also.

Later he called again, asked to come over. I said sure. We had beers, talked, and he played the Flight Simulator awhile before heading home.

End of Volume 27a