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Flew the coop

From: Sarah
Activity_Date: 12/20/01
Remote Name: 207.154.99.100

Comments

Yea! My first venture from either Wilcox or More Mesa! Special thanks to Kevin Dumain for briefing me on it many months ago and Jeff Parker for being a nearby mentor today...

It was a rare day... beautiful sky, 9-13knots and a direction of 200. I suited up with my flight suit and Thin Red Line harness. The guys told me it was as good a day as any for traveling--so I dropped my cell phone into a pocket. >=) Getting off was the hardest it ever had been for me...I've had an easier time with cross gusts, but the air was strong, so Hammer(Robert) and another fellow stood by until I called for assist. as my wing began flying and my feet were off the ground early. They gently guided me to the edge as I played my lines like a harp--accelerating the A's and decelerating with the brake lines to keep the wing moving forward and inflated evenly. They gave me the "ok" and I leaned to spin around and was off! I have never so smoothly risen above the launch (and tree with flag) and so quickly--I knew I was in for a good ride.

That I did.. without a single turn.. I jumped the gap for the first time and kept going...

I called my mom in San Diego when I was over the stairs at More Mesa--she wasn't there so I told my step dad who is a retired Navy captain--he was definately amused. I was considering what I *should* do once at More Mesa... land? call taxi? I got off the cell about at the furthest western cove we fly at and turned back heading East. All the while Jeff had followed me (thanks again Jeff!) and was back far enough not to interfere with my flight in any way. He was already making his way back, wing below cliff trees' heights, but still moving. I made the commitment and kept going. Mostly I stayed off my brakes until I had some 'real' lift and enjoyed the speeeeeeeed back to Wilcox. I crossed the gap and was low.. but saw how Jeff scratched his way back up and did the same. Several others were flying, including HG's. I didn't have to work hard, but I stayed close to the terrain and was above the launch tree by the time I got there. I landed gracefully and did the celebratory fists in the air!! HOW COOL IS THAT??? =D Launch at Wilcox, fly to More Mesa, made a call to San Diego, flew back and landed not 10 feet from where I started... YES!! =D

It was really special to me, as I had never tried flying the gap nor have I even flown as East as the stairs at More Mesa!

(for a detail on the flights back and forth--refer to Kevin's "Wilcox Lunch,12/11" article as he did a description I couldn't hold a candle to)

Cheers! Sarah =)

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