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February 1984

March 1984

April 1984

Good Elk Weekend

Pot Luck at James's house

Bones's Birthday Party

Bright Star Awards night

Marginal Soaring at Goat Rock

Strong Winds at Goat Rock

Fine Weekend at Usal

Day Trip to Elk Mountain

Volume 33b

Volume 33a:

February 13, 1984 to April 20, 1984

Monday, February 13, 1984 - 10:18 AM

Where am I now? I wonder myself. A rainy three-day weekend doesn't help my mood. A time of transition perhaps.

In my therapy sessions, I've made some progress in being more aware of my feelings. For example, as I think of Meredith's betrayal, I feel a knotty tension below my diaphragm in my gut. As I feel how much I long for her and miss her, I feel an empty place in my chest, like a vacuum trying to be filled, very real physical feelings, previously blocked from my awareness.

As to "getting over" her, however, I've made little if any progress. I still think of her many times every day, and long to have her love me again, as futile as this sometimes seems. I miss her as much as ever, still feel she's my special love.

Regarding the therapy, I don't know where to go with it. Eileen's technique seems to be to frustrate me, to turn my demands or my requests for help or feedback back onto myself, so that I now feel that it's not okay to ask her for anything, which makes me wonder why I'm there.

Part of me feels there's more work we could do, but most of my recent sessions seem half-wasted and without direction, so I'm inclined to let it end and pursue and guide my own course from here on out. We never seemed to retain much continuity from one session to the next.

I'm also planning to take an "anger workshop" with Roger from my support group.

Turning to other parts of my life, Mary's still my best friend, but I need more than friendship now. I have a deep craving for someone to love, Meredith if I could have her, but since I can't, someone to help me forget her.

Hang gliding is still my only joy these days. I've appreciated my hang gliding friends more, recently, as a result of my workshop, feel that they are my real "tribe," from whom I can draw support and strength.

Enough for reviewing my life. I've been reading and doing some astrology, getting into transits. Was surprised to find that Pluto had just transited my natal Sun when I had my "rebirth of soul" experience in 1970.

5:08 PM

He said Sharol was also considering it (but not to tell anyone). Had a long friendly conversation with him. He's also thinking of getting a C-2, liked it as well as his Attack Duck, and it's less complex.

Stopped to visit Mary for a little while on the way home.

Tuesday, February 14, 1984 - 7:15 AM Valentine's Day

Some more of the things I've seen: Uranus, the planet of change, has just transited my Ascendant (January 28 or so), from 12th to First House, coincident with my workshop, a significant transit. The Robert Hand book on Planets in Transit states, "During this period your relationships will alter tremendously and you will try to break free of the restrictions and obligations that have held you back. You begin to feel very impatient and rebellious towards limitations of any kind. Others will find it very difficult to predict what you will do and may be quite upset by your actions... If you are well prepared, this transit can also bring about the only meaningful liberation, that is, the mind being free of its illusions. Many people begin to study astrology or the occult at this time, seeking this very liberation. While these studies may be a useful step on the path, you will ultimately learn that all structures for interpreting the world have the same limitations as your old ones, if you allow them to become rigid. True liberation involves coming to a point where all structure is taken on by choice and your life is self-created."

Then in the First House: "This is approximately a seven year period. During this time you will radically redefine your relationship to the outside world. Old patterns will be broken down, which will force people to look upon you differently. The old limitations you have placed upon yourself or accepted from others are no longer acceptable now, and you feel the need to change them even if you have to break away from many things that have been important in the past..." "The transit of Uranus through the first house is predominantly a drive for freedom... The avenues to new perception are open, and if you allow yourself to receive it, you will gain new tools for your future life."

I also saw that Uranus conjuncted my Sun starting in October 1967 through July 1968, another freeing time "to break up old patterns and embark on a new course," which is exactly what I did at that time, leaving IBM for EDP Resources, and moving from New Hampshire to the New York City suburbs of New Jersey.

Then there was Uranus conjunct Midheaven, and into the 10th house, "a radical change of profession," when I left the business world entirely to go to Theological School and beyond (1969 - 1974). Then Uranus progressed through the 11th and 12th houses. I can now see Meredith's leaving as a 12th house event.

At any rate, this all makes me aware of the deep mystery of life, and how I've been unconsciously and intuitively following my proper path, led by guides I was never really sure were there. Now I have more faith in them, I think.

Wednesday, February 15, 1984 - 7:09 AM

Then Bones called, thought it was going to be a good day at Goat Rock, so I could test fly the Comet-2 and compare it to the Attack Duck. So I decided to go for it, got permission, and left at ten.

But it turned out to be a wasted day. We set up as it was coming up from the SW, and shortly after we were ready, it did get soarable on the SW bowl, so we carried over there prepared to launch, but it had tapered off to about 8 knots and teased us for the rest of the day, with an occasional breeze of ten, but nothing better. So we finally folded up around 3 PM, and after I got home, I left for my therapy session.

But from what I saw of the Comet-2, I didn't like it as well as my present Comet, feel that the changes made just make it more complicated to set up, with the detachable kingpost, other different hardware, the zipper instead of the Velcro closure, etc. So I'm less enthusiastic about getting one now, if at all.

Went to bed. Slept okay. It's grey and drizzly out.

Thursday, February 16, 1984 - 7:12 AM

Sharol just called. Bones wanted to know if I wanted to play hookey again today, but I told her I couldn't, even though it looks promising.

Friday, February 17, 1984 - 6:59 AM

Saturday, February 18, 1984 - 7:57 AM

I'm feeling pretty good, excited and happy. James will ride up with me. Also talked to Tom Denny, who called me, and to Bones, Mel, Ivan, and Roy. Tried to call Eric, Hank, and Jon.

Now to get ready to go.

Monday, February 20, 1984 - 11:28 AM

As James and I came into Upper Lake, I decided to stop at the Drug Store to say hi to Ted, the guy who'd given me a ride back to camp after my flight to the high school.

He wasn't there, just a pretty girl minding the store, so after asking about him, I told her why I was looking for him, and told her about that flight.

She asked, "Oh, at Homecoming?" when I mentioned flying over the football game, and I said, "Yes."

She said, "Oh yeah, everyone's been talking about that."

So after telling her about the flight, I asked her name.

"It's Nina."

I told her mine, and said goodbye, will probably stop to see her again when I go up there.

When we got to the campground, Tom Denny was there waiting, and eventually Roy and his brother Tom arrived. It was the first time I'd met Tom. We loaded our gliders on Roy's truck.

Then Ivan arrived, with Bones and Ernie. Bones had brought the C-2 for me to fly, so I unloaded my Comet onto the Scout in the campground, and we headed on up. The road was pretty muddy, but we made it okay.

On top there were gliders set up on the south face, but it was going dead and starting to cross from the west, so Ivan drove on down to the competition slots facing the NW, and we proceeded to setup our gliders there.

A guy in a Fledge launched first from the south launch, got up over the point and stayed up for awhile. But the direction shifted, so those who were on top started carrying their gliders down the hill towards us at the competition slots.

I was just about ready, so moved to launch first, not wanting to have to wait behind several more gliders. I launched in a light breeze, 5 to 7, and headed down to the point, not getting much lift (the Fledge was long gone by now).

Scratched beyond the point in small thermals, eventually getting slightly above it, so made another pass back past launch, but there was no lift there again, so I scratched some more beyond the point.

Ernie, Bones, and others also launched and scratched, none getting up, as clouds obscured the sun, shutting down the thermals. Hung out for quite awhile on the high ridge, maintaining, slipping lower, and not getting back up. Finally headed out toward the campground.

Watched Bones below, setting up a landing to the west, and made my approach. I hit some sink over the creekbed, turned back toward the landing area, made it over, but got popped before the low shelf, hit Roy's windsock as I cleared the shelf, tried to flare but nosed in hard, bending the basebar somehow. So I was annoyed at myself for a bad landing and for damaging the new C-2. Joked with Bones about it, but felt bad.

And I was disappointed with the glider, too, decided not to get one. It seemed to fly well, but has too many negatives regarding setup, etc., compared to my Comet, which I love.

Tom Denny and James had waited to launch, and it got soarable though overcast, so they stayed up in a wave for a long time. When they finally landed, it was drizzling lightly.

Most people went home, but James and I planned to camp, as did Tom Denny, as well as Roy and Tom, so we got our tents set up, and started a campfire .

After dinner and sitting around the fire, I was very tired, went to bed around 8:30. It had started drizzling lightly again, so I made sure the tarp was pushed under the tent sides so it couldn't accumulate puddles, and it stayed pretty dry all night. Surprisingly, I was too warm for part of the night, but eventually got some sleep.

Got up on Sunday about 7:30. It was clearing, with some blue sky showing. We got a fire going, and had our breakfast. I cooked eggs for James and me.

Then I dried and put away my gear as it got nicer, and we loaded gliders and headed up the mountain by 10:30 or so, and set up at the south launch.

James launched first, and managed to get a thermal up after going around the point low. He stayed a few hundred feet over for quite awhile, while Roy launched, scratched down the hill, eventually got a thermal, got even with launch, but that's about all. Then James got flushed too, and they both scratched their way down the mountain.

Tom and I were both waiting to launch, but it was now crossing from the west consistently. So I decided to take anything, just to get off the hill and try to get to the NW side, rather than have to carry down there.

Soon a light puff came up the hill, so I launched, flying my own glider again, and headed to the point. Didn't get high enough to cross the gap, so went around, made some passes on the other side of the point, soon found some light lift, and began circling up. Soon I was up to 4700' or so, feeling good, finding stronger lift up higher. Got to cloudbase at 4900'.

Soon Tom Denny got a chance to launch, and he found a way up also, and we flew together for a half hour or more. But finally, he got low down on the ridge and headed out.

So I was alone in the sky, having a great flight. Got to cloudbase several times over 5000' to 5500' maximum, in and out of clouds, as I was waiting for others coming back up in Rich's truck, and having a fine time.

As they were setting up though, I encountered a flush cycle, and passed low over them, then down behind the point again. But luckily, I hooked into a small but strong thermal, banked up high and cored it, climbing fast to 5000' again, drifting to the SE.

But soon the sun got behind a high layer of clouds, and I got flushed again, scratched down the hill and had to land, this time a better one, in the creekbed. Had two hours and 17 minutes, by far the best flight of the day, so felt very good.

Then I rode up with Ted Klaseen, along with Tom Denny and Tom Wormington, to get the other trucks and bring them down. But we had a hard time getting up the road, as it was very messy in one place, almost gave up, but finally made it with a running start.

On top, Tom and I helped Ted set up his glider and launch, before driving the trucks down. I drove Rich Sauer's. Getting down was easy compared with getting up.

Soon we loaded up, and were ready to head home. We were going to meet at the pizza place and have pizza, but James and I had already eaten sandwiches, so decided not to.

In town we saw a nice old '64 Land Cruiser for sale, parked on Route20, and we took down the phone number. James was very much interested, had recently gotten a wrecked Land Cruiser, but with good running gear, was going to fix it up. But he really liked this one for only $1600. I did too, but already have the Scout.

Buzzed on home. Said goodbye to James. He invited me out to dinner at their place on Wednesday night.

I have a conflict over next weekend. Mary had asked me to help them move. But Sharol invited me up to the cabin at Pillsbury Ranch for the birthday party for Bones, which I was looking forward to.

Talked to Mary about my conflict last night. But she's not sure exactly when they'll be moving. Also they'll have Bob to help, so may not really need me.

After I got home I watched 60 Minutes, then Sophie's Choice on HBO. That was a very heavy movie.

Went to bed. Slept pretty well.

Tuesday, February 21, 1984 - 7:12 AM

Yesterday was drizzly. I stayed home all day (Presidents Day) reading and doing astrology.

Last night, James called, invited me to a "pot luck" at his house tomorrow night. Also there, will be Bones and Sharol, Ivan and Patti, Mike Mahoney and Tricia, and others. So it should be a nice evening.

Thursday, February 23, 1984 - 7:16 AM

I arrived first, and was later joined by Jon, Nancy, and Ethan, their new baby, then Ivan and Patti, Curt and Debbie, and Sandra's brother, whose name I forget. A nice relaxed evening, with lots of good food and drink, much more than we could devour.

I left about 10:15, came home and went to bed. Slept fairly well, though lay awake for an hour or more before the alarm went off.

Friday, February 24, 1984 - 7:12 AM

Called Sharol, but she couldn't talk. The weekend plans are still secret from Bones.

Saturday, February 25, 1984 - 7:38 AM

Got some calls last night. Mary called to wish me a nice weekend, told me to stop by when I get home. Tom Denny called about flying.

I told him I had the party to go to, but would probably see him up there. Hank called about flying, sounded dismayed, as his glider is in Bones' shop, and they had already left. He hasn't flown yet this year, has been busy editing a book.

Got to pack and go now.

Sunday, February 26, 1984 - 8:53 AM

Yesterday I loaded the Scout and headed up, but it was missing on one cylinder under load. After several stops, attempting to fix it, I turned around before Healdsburg and headed home, where I shifted my gear and glider to Hummer (my trusty old '73 Toyota Corona), then left again.

Headed to Elk Mountain, figuring I was late, and would meet the others there.

At the campground, Roy's truck was there, but he'd gone up the mountain with Ken, Art, and Tom, "the Napa gang."

But Rich soon arrived, also Dale and brother Craig, so we loaded onto Rich's truck and headed up. The road was mucky, and we got stuck. But when all three of us got over the left rear wheel, that weight gave us the traction we needed to make it.

Clouds were forming overhead only a few hundred feet above us. Roy launched, seemed to be flushed, but found a thermal, got above the level of launch, but then got flushed again.

Then the wind was switching to the NW. People started carrying their gliders down to the NW launch. But I stayed at the South launch, waiting for a launchable lull. The top was shaded awhile, so I waited for it to clear, but not long enough.

I got a good launch, went around the point and scratched down the west ridge, found only tiny thermals, gaining a maximum of 200' at one point, but relentlessly sinking lower, finally heading out after 25 minutes of scratching.

Set up a good landing, cutting across the stream, flying fast to the west, but got a pop just before the bank, pulled in, flared too soon, went high, held out, but came down hard.

Then, after packing up, I headed over to Lake Pillsbury to find the others. Went to the gate of Pillsbury Ranch, but Bones and the others were still out, so drove to the airstrip, where I found them folding up their gliders after a flight from Hull.

Then we went back to the cabin, and gave Bones his presents. I gave him a nice coffee mug and two bungies. He got other nice cards and gifts, and we all felt very good.

Had lots of beer, a Mexican style dinner, played some poker, and had lots of good cheer. We started a game of Leela, but people got bored too soon, so we quit and played poker instead until 10:30 PM or so.

Finally to bed. Didn't sleep well, but okay. Today's sunny and nice. We'll go try to fly Hull Mountain today, as the others did yesterday. They launched from Red Spot, didn't get up, but made it out.

Monday, February 27, 1984 - 7:15 AM

Was pretty tired when I got home yesterday, so just relaxed, watched 60 Minutes, and worked a little on my astrology projects. I'm seeing that my astrology, for which I have a lot of energy these days, is a way of learning to think symbolically, or to see things symbolically, developing that capability.

Yesterday we all finished our breakfast of eggs, sausage, juice, bagels, etc. at the cabin, and finally got loaded up to head up Hull Mountain.

Bones noticed a noise in his transmission, got worried about that, so we all went up in Don's truck instead, to the Red Spot launch area, one I hadn't flown before. The road was blocked by snow further up.

It looked a bit hairy, sloping left to a steeper part, with trees beneath it that you had to get over. No blown launches would be tolerated there.

I was ready first by 12:45 or so, and as there were high clouds approaching the sun, I thought it best to get launched soon.

In my launch run, the dogs, Tri and Cross, both ran out in front of me and almost tripped me, but I kept running and got a good launch, over the trees and off to the right. Found trace thermals which I tried to turn in, but couldn't gain any altitude, so flew around looking for likely spots, finally heading across the bowl towards the house, then down that ridge, over the lower knoll, still not finding anything to work, so on out the runway to the road, where I set up a landing in a no-wind situation. Came in hot, flared hard, had a pretty good landing.

Talked to a bearded guy who looked like Kenny Rogers, who was doing some running while his boys were motorcycling. Then talked to Ron Stone, the Ranger, awhile, who had come by. Finally started folding up my glider while waiting for the others.

Eventually Don came on out, and finally Bones. They'd both waited for better conditions, were able to scratch a little longer, but not much. But it was a nice flight, and a different launch.

Back at the cabin, we cleaned up, packed up, and said goodbyes. I left first about 4:30, buzzed on home in Hummer. I left my glider with Bones to work on this week.

Wednesday, February 29, 1984 - 7:16 AM

He went to Oregon last weekend, but couldn't fly. He's less enthusiastic about moving there now.

Thursday, March 1, 1984 - 7:17 AM

Saturday, March 3, 1984 - 10:30 AM

Last night I went to Bones's shop for the Bright Star Awards Night for the Cross Country Contest, which Rich Sauer won. Sharol came in second, and Bones and Jon tied for third. It was a nice evening, though I was sort of tired.

Hank was there, for the first time I've seen him in a few months. Also there were Jon and Nancy (and Ethan), Rich, Tom and Lin Denny, Duane, Curt, Art, Ted, and several others.

Denise called the shop. She and Tom were wanting to go to Elk Mountain today, were wondering if anyone else was going. There wasn't much interest.

I finally went home around 10:30, somewhat stuffed, and having drunk too much beer.

7:17 PM

Sunday, March 4, 1984 - 9:38 AM

So I saw that my annoyance at Bones for not calling me was for nothing. I did say to him, "Bones, why didn't you call me?"

He said he had remembered that he'd agreed to, and apologized, so I felt okay then about that.

So I set up my glider and waited with Hank, Jon, Bones, Duane, John Blacet, Bob Storms, Ted Klaseen, Paul ?, and others for the wind to pick up.

By three, it was teasing us at 8 knots, so I got on my harness and helmet and carried to launch, and Jon James followed. But at launch it stayed sub-soarable, so I stepped back and waited.

But eventually, Jon decided to go for it, and after a couple of passes in front, he headed for the beach. After awhile, we saw him carrying his glider back up the road, as the wind was picking up to 10 knots. So I decided to go for it.

Had a good launch, turned left, made a soaring turn, got in close and headed down the bowl just at ridge level. Managed to make a few passes, hugging the ridge, never more than 50 feet over, usually more like 5 to 10 feet over, back and forth with supreme concentration, to keep from being flushed.

But finally I was flushed, after many passes, headed out to the beach, and made a fine landing among the many people on the beach. Felt very good, very much exhilarated by an impressive demonstration of marginal soaring.

Carried my glider back up the hill as Jon launched again, and he had a better soaring flight, as the wind had evidently picked up a bit more by then. But I was exhausted by the climb back up, and by then, Jon was flushed and the wind had died down again.

Eventually I started folding up my glider. But Jon carried up again, and later launched again around 5 or so, as the wind picked up again, and he made an impressive soaring display in winds of 9 to 10 knots, staying up and later getting higher as it picked up. But no one else got to soar but Jon and me, as it was too marginal.

Earlier, a guy named Carl, a hay broker from Ft.Bragg with business in Santa Rosa, was very much impressed by our gliders, and decided to "get into this." I'd been talking with him awhile, so introduced him to Bones, who gave him a brochure. He seemed to be a very nice guy in his forties, but he didn't stay around long enough to see us soar.

I was very tired on getting home. Had leftover pizza for dinner, took a hot bath, did breathing exercises, then went to bed at nine.

Sunday, March 11, 1984 - 8:16 AM

More later, got to go now. Sharol just called again. They're going to Goat Rock, want me to meet them at the shop at nine.

5:35 PM

Anyway, I tried first, when it was blowing 9 to 10 knots, but found not much lift near launch, and was too low by the time I got to the bowl to get up, so after a couple of passes I went to the beach, had a good landing.

Then I carried my glider back up, getting some well appreciated help from Tom and Duane the last part of the way. I almost relaunched at the bowl, as that's where it seemed to be coming up best, but it was still marginal.

Sharol launched in a little while, and also went to the beach, and I tried again after it picked up to 12+ knots, tried to go directly to the bowl, and did get a few hectic passes there before having to head out. Also had trouble getting into my stirrup, which gave me a problem for the first couple of passes.

Got a ride up from the beach with Lin and Sharol, and even set up my glider again, as it looked like it would get better. But Mel tried, got only a pass or two before having to head out.

We finally gave up, folded up and came home, but I was glad I'd flown, met the challenge, a scratchy, tight flight. Got home feeling very tired.

Wednesday, March 14, 1984 - 7:11 AM

Later I went to the Sonoma Wings meeting at Tom Denny's house in Petaluma, had an okay time. Denise was there, with Tom Hazelwood, a nice looking guy. She's so attractive to me, but would break my heart for sure. Eric was there also, handling their breakup and the situation well.

Came home by eleven, went to bed. A damp cloudy morning today.

Saturday, March 17, 1984 - 8:09 AM

So I told him I'd get up, take my shower, and call him back.

Also called Sharol (Bones may go up tomorrow, and to Goat Rock today) and Lin Denny (Tom's working today), finally decided to pass for today, as the road will probably be terribly muddy. May go for the day tomorrow.

2:23 PM

I was greeted by a woman named Jane, who reminded me of Sue, and whose eyes caught mine. I told her they (her eyes) were very pretty. She has Moon in Scorpio and Sun in Libra.

I saw Charlie Warren there, and he's been learning to be a healer these last few months, said he'd been much affected by the loss of his relationship, and I told him I had too.

And I talked to Julie Woodland, who teaches an introductory class on Monday nights called "Breaking the Ice," and she urged me to come.

I told her a lot about myself. She saw me as someone going through big changes in my life, and looked at my hand, said I was definitely "a healer." She's a beautiful lady, a Taurus (April 28) but doesn't know her other signs.

I was very much attracted to her, but I think she's married, has a child. She said she knew well the experience of "healing your lover," and then they have to leave.

Finally I was too overwhelmed, couldn't talk anymore (my voice was gone), and had to leave. Was also on the verge of tears.

Came home. Called the Coast Guard station at Bodega Bay. They said the wind was 15 knots, so it's actually probably blown out at Goat Rock. There are lots of big cumi's all over the sky.

Tried to call Mary, but she wasn't home. I'm thinking now of going back to the Faire.

Sunday, March 18, 1984 - 9:30 AM

Yesterday I went back to the Faire. Saw Julie again, talked more with her, then had another reading, this time with a guy named Simon.

He saw an inhibition in my masculine energy, that perhaps my father was distant, asked if I'd had a "military" background (My father was a career Naval Officer). We also touched on my father, mother, Meredith, and again on my pattern of being a healer in relationships, then devastated when the woman leaves me.

This morning in the shower, I thought about that aspect some more, saw that I give the woman healing and strength, in return perhaps, I get youthfulness, vitality, something along those lines, relating it to Odysseus's men, who were "taller, more handsome" when restored to their human form after their "anima possession" on Circe's Island.

Monday, March 19, 1984 - 7:15 AM

Yesterday, I got ready, and headed out to Goat Rock. It was sub-soarable when I arrived. Bones and Sharol, Duane, and a guy from Berkeley, Shawn, were set up, and James was setting up. Sandra and Tera were there too.

So I set up, and we waited, and by 12:45 it was picking up, getting soarable, so we lined up to launch. Shawn launched first, got high using Bright Star's Gemini. Then Sharol, James, and I launched. The wind was up to 20 knots or so by then, and we got to 300' or 400' pretty easily.

I flew out to the Rock a couple of times, but no one dared go to the south end, as it was still building. In fact, Bones just barely got launched before it was blown out by 1:30, and we were parking into the wind, finally heading out to the beach very slowly.

I hovered over some people on the beach at about fifty feet for ten minutes or so, then backed up the hill a ways. Then I came back down in a stiff wind, gradually working lower toward a gap with an open space of beach.

Could have soared the dunes for awhile, instead just hovered, coming down little by little, finally pulling in and dropping down, hovering again, being picked back up to twenty feet, then going vertical, almost touching down, then popping back up to ten feet.

Then Sharol ran over under me to help pull me down, and I let myself slowly down for a good landing. As I told the others, "it was the funnest landing I ever had," and I wish now I'd prolonged it further by soaring the dunes awhile.

Bones and James also landed after me. Shawn and Sharol had landed earlier. Mel missed it again, didn't get launched before it blew out.

When I went up to get my Scout, I measured the wind at 40 to 44 knots. Ivan had also arrived, but too late.

I felt great, like a "hero" to the spectators. Came on home and relaxed.

Called Mary, who wasn't working, and we talked awhile. Mel and I had talked about going to Usal soon, and Mary wants to go tandem with me again.

Saturday, March 24, 1984 - 7:29 AM

Last night I called around to see about people going to Usal. Called Ivan, who'll drive. Also called James, and Tom, who can't go. Tried to call Denise, Brian, and others. And Hank called me. He may be up Saturday evening.

I'm feeling pretty good in spirits again, feel I'm working on something important, that there is something of value in my life that is almost within reach if I work on it, a challenge that excites me, with unknown possibilities, like opening the door to a new dimension of reality. We'll see.

Monday, March 26, 1984 - 7:22 AM

On the way I talked a lot about my interest in psychology, and also my newly emerging psychic energy. Ivan seemed to be somewhat skeptical, but open as well.

When we got to the coast, there were whitecaps, and we were sure it would be soarable. But when we pulled in, Mel wasn't set up yet, and it was only coming up lightly. So Ivan and I drove down to the beach to plant the windsock, and there it was coming in strong from the NW, but also over the hills from the NE.

Back on top we set up, and I was ready to launch first. It still wasn't strong at launch, but I was sure it was soarable around the point.

Had a poor launch, not aggressive enough, and almost spun back toward the hill, but managed to get it turning left again and away, then up in lift to about 1400'.

But I was plagued by velchro problems, as my camera wouldn't stick, my microphone pulled the velchro off the radio, and my radio wasn't transmitting, for some unknown reason, though I could hear the others.

It was also very turbulent air, the most turbulent I've flown in there. So I shot up the rest of my film pretty fast, then stowed my camera on my back to get rid of the hassle of it swinging around. May have gotten some good pictures of Ivan and Mel.

Then we just flew around awhile in the very bumpy air. As we got higher, we'd go through a rough layer, then would be in a NE wind, fairly smooth. The turbulence was from the two layers mixing. We couldn't go very far south.

After about two hours, we were ready to land, and getting down to the beach was a turbulent process we'd been worrying about all day, but it was fairly smooth off the ocean down there.

So first Mel, then Ivan, and then I landed. I was fooled on my setup, dove out on my last turn into the wind, came within about four feet of the ground, then picked up to 15 feet, then came on in, but couldn't flare (was already pushed out) so set down easily on my chest with arms extended, very soft though.

About a half hour after we landed, the sock went dead, then the wind picked up from inland and blew strongly out the creek to the sea. So we were glad we'd gotten down when we did.

Folded up, drove back up the hill, then I set up my tent, then we socialized around the campfire. Got talking about astrology again, and got out Mel's horoscope, found that he also had Sun trine Uranus, the "hang gliding aspect," according to the book, Planets in Youth, by Robert Hand.

Time to go to work. More later.

Tuesday, March 27, 1984 - 7:13 AM

4:39 PM

Back to the weekend. On Saturday night we spent a nice evening talking around the fire at Usal. Finally went to bed.

Slept pretty well. Had a headache in the morning, decided not to go running. Got up to an overcast day, had some breakfast. There seemed to be another low pressure trough passing through.

Eventually, there were light winds coming up the hill, and we saw birds thermalling out front. I set up my glider, feeling it would get good, but Mel and Ivan decided to wait.

Finally, though it still was only light at the hill, there were wind lines and white caps, so I decided to be the "wind dummy," and test it out. I did an aggressive launch down the steep slope, then came around the point, and started going up.

Mel and Ivan watched in wonder as I got high above launch in smooth air, then scrambled to set up their gliders.

I was able to get to 1600' over launch, then headed south to the next point, finding consistent lift, and was able to get higher there.

Eventually Mel and Ivan got launched, and joined me for some very pleasant flying after the turbulence of the day before. We were getting thermals off the ocean in which we could circle up to a maximum altitude of 1950' for the day.

Eventually (I'd launched at 1:40) it got less buoyant, and the white caps disappeared, but we could still stay up around 1300'.

Finally Mel decided to land, and I took what altitude I could get, to see how far across the gap to the north I could go. It was dying out, but I got a few hundred yards over the ridge up past the north bluffs.

But coming back, I couldn't get back into the lift zone, so made a pass or two and set up my landing approach, making a better landing in almost no-wind conditions on the beach, to conclude a very nice flying day.

Then we all packed up, had sandwiches, and eventually headed home. Didn't talk so much, but listened to music. Got home after 8 PM. Relaxed, and eventually went to bed.

This evening I'm going to start mowing the grass.

Friday, March 30, 1984 - 7:21 AM

Feeling okay in general. Sharol called yesterday about the possibilities of going to Usal again, but the weather isn't looking all that great now. I called Bones this morning, and we decided to wait and see, possibly go to Elk instead.

Saturday, March 31, 1984 - 1:37 PM

Sunday, April 1, 1984 - 10:40 AM

I'd been planning to go to Elk with James. Then Dave Thor called yesterday, and also wanted to go. I wasn't crazy about the idea, but he was persistent, so I agreed to call him if I decided to go.

Later I talked to Bones, and he said he thought it would be a good day at Goat Rock, or he might go to Mt.Diablo with Don Piercy. So, on thinking about it, I decided I'd rather take an easy day, perhaps fly at Goat Rock, rather than go to Elk. So I called James and changed my plans.

But when I called the Coast Guard Station at 9:45, he told me it was blowing 15 knots from the NW, so was very probably blown out.

Oh well. I did go running this morning, about a mile, and I seem to be out of condition. Should start going more often, I think.

2:17 PM

Saturday, April 7, 1984 - 7:31 AM

Called around last night, but couldn't get much flying interest. Except that Brian Robbins called me, invited me to go towing with them today.

But for some reason, perhaps related to Mike Mahoney's recent towing accident, in which he damaged his new Comet (Stretch's old one), and has decided to get out of hang gliding, I don't have much enthusiasm for it. If it were happening somewhere where there were mountains, with thermal possibilities, I might feel differently.

Anyway, I may just go out to Goat Rock later instead. Talked to Mel, Tom (he has to work today), James, also tried to call Stretch and Anne, but found out that Stretch and Roy have gone to Santa Barbara, to pick up Anne, and their new gliders (Sensors). Anne had gone down earlier to sell their VW Bus.

Sunday, April 8, 1984 - 7:29 AM

Didn't fly yesterday. When I called the Coast Guard around ten, it was already up to 15 to 20 knots, he said.

Now for a shower.

9 AM

Monday, April 9, 1984 - 6:39 AM

Yesterday was windy from early in the day. Tom Denny called around eleven, and we decided to check out the Rock, even though the Coast Guard had said 13 to 20 knot winds. And it was blown out, with winds of about 35 to 40 knots.

So I came home again, then drove to the Flea Market for a look through. Didn't see anything of interest, so came home and read some more, later watched 60 Minutes and some other stuff.

Wednesday, April 11, 1984 - 6:28 AM

Last night I read, then worked a little on my getting-rid-of-stuff project, then left for the Sonoma Wings meeting at Jon's house. Charlie Warren was there and we talked a little before the others arrived.

Sharol was there, and an unpleasant scene evolved around her. She announced a weekend "seminar" with Rich Pfieffer on "cross country flying," to be held at their cabin at Hull. Since they were charging $60 apiece, the question came up as to whether they needed a use permit, etc., according to the policy she had been instrumental in setting up, in response to Wally's trip last year.

She took great offense, said she felt "attacked," got very defensive, and everyone felt bad for her, including me, as I had raised some of the questions.

Our Regional Director, who was there visiting, pointed out that everyone was merely concerned that it be "done right," according to the policy that we ourselves had established, that a good example be set.

But Sharol has this big weakness, which is reacting oversensitively to things, feeling attacked, then getting very defensive, and aggressive, in response to the perceived threat.

We all apologized afterwards, but she was still feeling attacked.

We set up a Usal weekend for this weekend. So we'll be calling around to see who can go. I called Hank when I got home last night.

I'd decided to drink a maximum of one beer, so took some Santé water also. Finally left after ten.

On the way home, I hit an animal, one of those possums, I think. That made me feel bad, too, and I went to bed in a low mood. But I slept okay.

Thursday, April 12, 1984 - 7:22 AM

Before going to my Healing class last night, I called a bunch of people to tell them about the Usal plans.

At the Healing class, I was surprised to find Eric Beckman on the list ahead of me, and there he was in my class. I had just seen him the night before at Jon's house, also Charley Warren, who's also into the Psychic Institute.

Eric told me his friend William Prince and another Marin friend are into it, and he's been meaning to go for awhile, and finally decided to sign up.

Saturday, April 14, 1984 - 7:28 AM

Sunday, April 15, 1984 - 10:38 AM

Saw Jon James, also Henry Sieck on the way. Then stopped in at Rich Sauer's house on a hilltop, where we found Stretch and Anne.

Was glad to see them again, and we all had a nice visit at Rich's. Eventually, on to Elk, where we found Jon and Henry, Ivan, also Barry, John Blacet, and a guy named Jim (blonde with tight curly hair).

James and I put our gliders on Ivan's truck and headed on up, while Stretch and Anne waited for Rich to arrive. Roy wasn't there, as he'd gotten a job and had to work.

Also on top were the "Napa gang," Art and Jim Philbrook, Ken, and Gilbert. The wind was coming up the south face nicely, and Ken soon launched and was able to stay up.

I launched about 1:05, about third in the air, and made some soaring passes in front of launch, getting a couple of hundred feet over. And soon the sky was filled with gliders, a dozen or so, fairly crowded along the ridge, though the air was fairly buoyant out front.

For awhile I followed Stretch around in his new Sensor, and was able to stay above and behind him most of the time. He didn't have a noticeably better sink rate.

Eventually a big thermal came through like a shear, which took everyone up, from a maximum of 4500' or so to about 6000' and back over the valley toward Horse Mountain. When it finally gave out, however, it was difficult penetrating back to the ridge, but we all made it okay.

Finally, after two hours, people started heading out to land. It had gotten fairly rowdy, with lots of sink here and there, and no really good thermals.

So I headed on out too, made a good setup, came in hot though, and went pretty far along the ground, finally flaring just a bit too soon, going up, and coming down on my feet, but from too high to hold the glider. But a decent landing anyway, and a fine, fun flight of two hours and 25 minutes.

Got wasted afterwards, though, with three beers, then drove up with Stretch and Anne to retrieve vehicles. Then James and I left, cruising on home, stopping in Cloverdale for an eggnog milkshake, which finished me off.

After James left, I was wasted, laid back, and nearly fell asleep watching a little TV, so went to bed at nine. But I didn't sleep all that well, had a headache early in the morning. Finally got up around nine.

Today's another beautiful sunny day. It was supposed to be raining but I guess the high pressure system held. I've got a number of things I should do.

End of Volume 33a

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