Octoberfest 2008: Get-U-Sum

Lake McClure is one of my favorite sites. Located in the Sierra foothills about 50 miles east of Modesto, it offers great flying, great scenery, and perhaps the most wonderful and eclectic group of pilots around.

This weekend was the annual Octoberfest fly-in. Chris picked me up on Friday night and we rolled into the campground around 11pm. First order of business each morning is the speed gliding competition. Only a handful of pilots compete, but it's a blast for pilots and onlookers alike. Chris and I managed to take second and first place respectively. Our combined times over 2 days were 0.1 seconds apart.

The daytime flying was good. Saturday a convergence moved through the area allowing a few to get to nearly 10k. I was set up late, and conditions on launch became increasingly gust and cross. After waiting all afternoon I reluctantly broke down my glider and drove down the hill. Sunday was much calmer. Decent lift, lighter winds, and nice smooth thermals. A few went cross country, but I just played around the local hills.

Dan and Glen did a great job putting it on. All-in-all, another great fly-in by the Mother Lode Sky Riders!

I'm Back

Sitting still has been driving me crazy. Last Sunday I decided my ribs were healed enough, my glider was reassembled enough, and I was ready enough to get back in the air.

It was a sled run day at Ed Levin. I was missing a pin when I opened up my glider bag. So Chris took a flight and then lent me his pin so I could finally get back in the air. I was nervous since I had completely disassembled my glider and this would be it's first flight since reassembly. But there was no need for concern. She flew straight and sweet. It took about 2 seconds of being in the air before I felt that wonderful sense of elation. It's been over 2 months since I flew; I almost forgot what it felt like.