Isaac was late so we waited for him to show up before we headed up the hill.

Chris's front yard and the landing zone. Dunn mountain is the peak in the middle. Our friends live just on the other side of it.

Isaac arrived then we headed up the hill. This is the launch site he has cleared out.

It was noon and Chris was getting setup to launch first. Isaac was having non of it yet.

Chris got an okay launch but took off with a small cravat which he eventually pulled the stabilio to pop it out.

We watched his flight and his landing and not long after he landed the air and wind completely died. We sat on launch for a long time watching and waiting. EVENTUALLY the wind cycles began to pickup again. I setup my wing and got ready to fly but ended up standing around for a good half an hour with no launch window.

I finally got enough wind to get launched. Isaac got video of my launch.

The wing came up fine but as I turned to run the left tip folded for a moment. I looked up to see it but knew it would reopen so kept going.

The tip unfolded and I was in the air trying to get myself into the pod.

I was fighting with the pod and the wing wasn't getting the proper tension on the lines so as I flew I got a 10% tip fold on the left. I looked up at it in flight and knew it was fine.

THEN the right tip folded in as I was still fucking with the pod.

I just kept flying the open wing and managed to get my feet in the pod.

I had made it pretty close to the hill but I was well aware of my surroundings and was able to fly back around into the wind.

And the same only from my view.

I have to figure out the tether for the pod so when I bring my legs up the tether will bring the pod with it so I'm not fishing for it in flight.

I had to let go of the brake to gab the pod which isn't the best but it works.

I had ample space and wind so I was fine with the direction I flew. In the end it got me over the ridge where the lift was better than in the bowl.

The clouds were beginning to build and I saw the shadow below so I tried to head towards it since there would be good lift there.

I got kinda near it but it was moving away from me to the south southeast and I didn't want to chase it. I could feel the lift as I bumped against the side of the thermal and it kept spitting me out as I tried to enter. I called it good and decided to go for a landing.

His property is in an interesting spot for wind. In the bowl between two mountains, surrounded by trees, and rarely consistent winds.

I made the loop over the field then as I flew towards the lz I was checking 2 flag poles and all the streamers. THEY ALL SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

I was still a bit high with some speed so passed the mowed strip and as I dropped down to the field to land I glanced at the flag on his pole and saw I was going for a down wind landing. Thankfully it was very minor wind.

Came in a bit hot but managed a full flare and ran out the landing very nicely.

It was a bit before 2pm and Willow showed up so they headed up for another flight and I headed for home. I've been neglecting enough around the farm for too long...

It was cool coming down the highway and seeing my launch.

I was home in time before the boys got home and spent a bit emptying cards and filling in my flight log. I was out around the farm then and found myself in the garlic pulling weeds. I was at it a good half an hour and ended up with the wheelbarrow piled high. It was only about 3/4 of the rows done which I will finish today.

The garlic is largely looking amazing. I will have to shift the left side rows next planting so there is more room by the fence and hopefully bigger growth.

The sheep were quit pleased with the pile of greenery.

I got dinner made and we watched the newest Rick and Morty before going out to soak.

I will get the boys to school in a bit, finish weeding the garlic, wash my clothes first thing, push the mower around and maybe swing the weedeater, go kite my launch in the afternoon, and hopefully keep my knee getting better.

SIGNUP FOR YOUR NEWTON PORTAL ACCOUNT AND WE BOTH EARN!