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Our landlord was evicting us and it was day one of our move from Dariesa, but we weren't getting the new key till later in the morning, and the day looked too good to burn reading the morning paper, so I figured I could get in a quick flight from the Skyport back to Carpinteria and still have time to get started shuffling stuff. Called Tom Pipkin for the bus schedule and met him, John Kloer, and Brendan at the freeway. Loaded another 5 in Tom's suburban at Parma for total of 9 headed uphill on the late bus. Some of the pilots from earlier groups were already airborne when we arrived. Ready to go a little past 11ish? Pulled up about 10 seconds after Benson and had some trouble with drift from the east. Since I was laid out on the east side of 3 abreast, I was pointing somewhat west for the pull, and with drift from the east I was having trouble getting it into the wind because my technique provides only limited steering control. I had adequate energy so I let it fly and got turned around to deal with the oak tree, and was fortunately able to steer away to the left down the fall line. It was fun sharing the house thermal. I'd been in the air 3 or 4 minutes circling close to the terrain. Got too close on the last 360 and hit a bush going NE while forcing it around to the right. Was almost able reach steeper terrain and fly away, but the first bush stole a lot of energy and I settled about 40 to 50 feet downhill from first impact. Jim Maddox, Brendan Pegg, and Paul Gaigalas gave me assistance extracting the canopy. It would have taken over an hour to do it solo, but we had the gear back on launch and line checked in 15 minutes. Having been raised Catholic, I felt impelled to slow down and do some penance, so rather than rushing off again I focused on lending what assistance I could and was airborne again about a quarter till 11. Easy launch this time around. Couldn't reach the Round House against the SE so I fell off for the Holy Hills from the little spine off the Bypass. I needed to get back to Carpinteria, but it was questionable weather I would be successful against the SE under a low cloudbase. Thought of joining Tom P who had pulled a glide to the Training Hill, but traffic was a bit thick with multiple pilots playing hide and seek. Opted to stay lower and slug eastbound below cloudbase. Less traffic at Parkers, and took a little extra on glide to arrive at the east spine of Montecito with 2K. Stuck low for awhile, but finally got into the high 4s and went SE, then east, to arrive at Castle Point a couple hundred over the swimming pool. The headwind from the east seemed to be fading so the glides were getting better. Bases were in the upper 2s in front of Ramero, but only the mid 2s along Castle Ridge. It looked pretty dark and ODed, but weak lift got better and I tanked up with enough to reach for the middle of Carpinteria. Went on glide SE for about 5 minutes but stopped for a bonus over the mesa hitting my max altitude of the day, a little over 56. Bases were lifting and more sun was getting through. Multiple front routes looked like they would work, toward Ventura over the Rincon, or perhaps up Hwy 150 toward Ojai, but I had obligations so I went for home. Arrived over the surf at Calle Ocho with 17. Took a tour and touched down on in no wind in the field across the RR tracks. Left the wet gear unpacked, rode a bike to my truck at the freeway, and reported for work a little before 2. Fun colorful day. Many pilots had stellar flights. It was comforting to sense the positive attitude, but concerned that pilots seem to be gaggling up into marginal visibility. . |
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