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Friday, 10/22/04 The weekend came a day early. Was trying to hold out till Saturday, but Friday looked better to go east from SB. Opted for an early launch and headed uphill from Parma in Diablo's truck with Benson and Frank for crew. Pipkin's truck was close behind with plenty of other pilots who were pretending it was Saturday. There was already plenty of cloud development by the time I pull up just after 10 am. The cycles were very weak, but it was fun to climb in the smooth morning air. Got a couple hundred over launch and moved west to the saddle in front of the R&R. Best I could do was break even so finally moved out front and found a better thermal at the Tit. Cloudbase at Cathedral, just under 4K, and again at West Bowl and the VOR. Tagged the windmill at Painted Cave, and flushed to the T. Elaine was running chase. Got her on the radio and she said she new where I was and would be there 10 minutes. 20 minutes later I confirmed she was just leaving launch. When Elaine got stuck at a road block on 192, I called for backup. Sharon worked close by and was planning to fly in the afternoon, so I asked her to come and collect me. Finally mobile about an hour after touchdown. Frank was game for a second trip to launch, but Sharon didn't like the cold weather and opted return to work after lunch. Second launch was about 1 pm. It was pretty ODed and dark out to the Monastery. Had a snag in the speed bar under the seat that I couldn't clear, so I swung over and landed on the road uphill from the climbing rock. Cleared the snag and did a front pull up from the turnout. Flew by the face of the climbing rock for fun, but no one was home. Got out front a little low and had to get back up in front of the Monastery. Climbed from 16ish past cloudbase to 36. Picked up 500 at San Ysidro Point, and left Ramero in the mid 3s for the Castle Points. Over 4K at Castle Point, and 38 over the mesa between Polo Ridge and Snowball. Back up close to 3K behind Cate School. Considered pulling a glide toward Bates. It was reportedly soarable earlier, but the ocean looked iffy and I couldn't see pilots airborne. The low route eastbound looked doable, so I angled back in for the Gobernador Hill. Finally got back up over 2K, but pulled a bad glide to the first spine below Laguna Ridge. Down to a few hundred over the road at the next spine and got lucky. Tracked a nice thermal back up into the low 2s before it disappeared. No clouds left out front as the day was drying. Looked up the spine a bit, but didn't want to get caught behind the power lines. Got the next spine low and didn't get lucky. Tried one more to the east, but came in low behind the pigeon ranch. Down to a couple hundred, and started scouting for landing options. They looked pretty ugly on my line so I flew back up wind toward Asa's golf course. Down to 75 feet, and the glide got worse so I had to bail for a small patch behind the pigeons. 3:45 pm Pack up and walk to the road. Asa owns the mini golf course across the street. I'd landed there once about a year ago. He was pulling out to head into town and gave me a lift. Home at 3:30. Took the kids to the JV football game. Carp trounced Santa Paula. The kids of course are more interested in the cheerleaders than the football. Hot dogs, and burgers for dinner. Ran Tess home after the JV game and headed back with Sam for the Varsity match. Carp led all the way, but it was still close at he end. Text |
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