Proof of the rest of the 1 inch of rain that we got from the storms. It was still cloudy and wanting to rain yesterday morning but that didn't stop me from heading north to Inkler's to go fly.
I dropped the boys at school then headed back to the house to finish gathering and packing my things. I was on the road about 8:15 and was to the Lz by 8:45. Darren was around but he didn't look like he was ready yet and I knew Steve and Alicia were up on launch already.
So I put my wing and pack on my back and hiked to the top.
When I got there Steve and Alicia were waiting in his truck for the winds to be right but I noticed they were exactly right as soon as I made it to the top so I dropped my stuff and instantly began getting setup. It was super cool feeling as it was kinda like a hike and fly race feel since I was still panting and breathing hard from the hike but I knew I had to get in the air as the winds were perfect. The BEST part of it was that I took off without any fear of the cliff launch now!!!!
I landed the flight in the grass to the side of the runway and the wind caught my wing a bit and pulled me backwards onto my back. I gathered my wing and walked back up to the trucks parked nearby and a couple other pilots who had arrived. We talked for a bit then I caught a ride back up the hill. Steve was taking off with his hang glider right as we pulled up. He had a nice smooth take off and flight with a little bit short of a landing.
My second flight went really well too, short but still the most important part is being comfortable with the take off, which this one felt super good as well. Something wigged on my Garmin as the altitude is opposite what it should be...
You can just see Darren hiking up the road there below me. We offered him a ride but he wanted to hike so we hauled his wing up for him to save the carrying.
I had made my turns just right so that when I came around for final I was really well lined up for the LZ circle.
I got a little bump of lift right at the end that gave me just enough glide still...
To hit inside the ring of the circle!
Pretty damn good I say!
Steve got this pic as I walked back to the truck.
Then Kim launched and had a shorter flight down.
Steve took his hang glider down then we got ready to head back up the hill and I went in case the winds would allow another flight.
As we were about to drive up Darren took off on his speed wing and had a rather fast flight down.
Back on top it was PUMPING and hte winds just wouldn't lull long enough for me to get off the hill. I tried but finally called it and hiked down the hill. Everyone had taken off already for another hill so I packed up and headed home, VERY HAPPY with my flights.
Back on the farm I was only here for an hour or so before I had to go pick the boys up from school which I spent working through all the data from my flights. 81 flights and 5.73 hours of flight time so far.
Out in the garden I was marveling at the beautiful cabbage heads we have growing. I am beyond amazed that these managed to start the end of December in the greenhouse in the soil, got transplanted out to the main garden and ALL of them have done amazing. We can start harvesting them no.
ALL THE WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS!!! (Think the Grinch) I did find a slew of tobacco plants that have managed to grow or keep growing!
EVERYTHING has exploded in growth around the farm which means bushes and trees so I took a bit of time to do some trimming. The chokecherries in the yard needed to be hacked back beneath the larger canopy. It makes it easier to see the garden from the house.
Then the tree on the corner of the house had to lose branches so they don't hang on the roof.
Then the fir tree along the driveway got trimmed up so the branches aren't hanging down into the driveway or the walking path.
Everything I trimmed got hauled to the sheep pen and tossed inside where they spent the afternoon nibbling and devouring.
I can't wait to get this book as it is my course of study for the next years.
One of our soon to be ex-club members is selling off all of his and his wife's paragliding gear as they are getting out of the sport and I got 3 books that I have been wanting for a year now for $50! SUPER SUPER STOKED!!!! Jon5 NEEDS INPUT!!!!!!
I got dinner made a bit later as @stryeyz had to work late which lead to a bit later to soak.
Today I head back up to Chewelah this time to Parker Mtn where we have some land maintenance to do like grass and bush cutting and trimming, tree trimming, and generally making it as fire safe as we can. Then we will fly, likely just once as I have to be back to pick up the boys from school early afternoon. Then I will keep on around the farm and trying to whip it into some semblance of shape.
| 2024 Y/E Hive Goals | Goal | Current | +/- Goal | +/Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 30,000 | 26,236 | +421 | 70 |
| HBD Savings | 4,030 | 3,000 | / | 12 |
| Hive Posting Streak Days | 1681 | 1472 | / | 4 |
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