After the stop for gas I was south of Spokane into the Palouse region.

I got to the gate at 10:30 and went looking for my hook knife but never found it where I hit the bush. no clue where it ended up then. Levi showed up about 20 minutes later and we were headed for the top.

It was 11am when we got to the launch and there were others who were still arriving so I went ahead and got a flight in.

My first REAL flight on my new wing and it was killer. Finally I have video of my launch and landing from a different view point other than my own.

The flight was good, the wing is FAR more responsive than the Evora and it takes hardly any lean to make the thing turn. I came out of the 360 near the lz and I tried a lean as I pulled the right brake and the wing dove fast. It requires a LOT more active piloting for sure. One of the biggest lessons from my first flight at Saltese was the landing and I did a perfect job of scrubbing speed and energy in the wing and ran out the landing.

After landing I walked down to the gate where Aaron had arrived and was moving gear into Damaris's truck. Josh arrived then we all went up to the top of the hill. Levi was getting prepared for his flight and Damaris quickly was ready as well. I got to talk to Levi who gave me a bunch of constructive criticism and the things to work on for the next flight. He has flown the Camino so knows exactly how it flies. For me I need to work on keeping the wing overhead better and keeping better pressure on the brakes to counter the roll the wing likes to do.

Josh and Aaron took longer to get ready and get in the air.

While they got ready I was setup nearby but let them go first.

My second flight went well and Josh and Aaron helped with my wing for launch.

The wing is way faster for sure but the lift is very similar. The wing loading is so much better now but I have some serious things to work on with my kiting.

I went for a bit of soaring back and forth across the mountain while Levi and Damaris popped up in the thermals and were gone.

I played with the weight shift some and really like how little it takes to move the wing.

Made the turn from the last back and forth and found some bubbles of lift heading back for the toe ridge.

The air was rougher along toe ridge with some solid bumps but also some serious sink.

I was trying to find any lift I could but was getting skunked so hoped the dry field might provide something.

I turned over the field and suddenly my right wing tip folded.

I ACTUALLY LOOKED UP at my wing for once, saw the folded tip, shifted my weight away from it, then popped the brake handle a couple times and it unfolded.

I had to turn back towards the lz hard but soon the glider smoothed out and I had enough height to get to the road.

Came in fast but again checked the speed with some pumps on the brakes.

Was able to flare a few feet off the ground and then ran out the landing.

I was kinda stoked to have run out the landing in the wheel track in the field so I didn't hurt any of the crop. I stepped out in spaces between to get to the road.

I then sat and watched everyone else fly. I waited around in case one of them bombed out which Josh was the first one down followed by Aaron. Damaris flew way out to the west then back and came and landed. I hung out a while and talked.

I now feel absolutely justified in my wanting a pod harness. Josh and Aaron both fly them for the exact reason I want one, they feel safer being in a cockpit. Sitting in the Bosun's chair hanging from a pillow in the sky is not easy to get the head around.

Levi was WAY up there. He hit 9k for sure and went out east then way out west.

I took off about 1:30 and headed for home and as I got farther north I saw Levi circling in a thermal. I radioed on my way past but not sure he heard.

The winds were so weird all day they were constantly shifting direction. It was rather absurd but flights were had.

I was home in time for the boys getting home and after a while R and I went out to plant his corn plant from school in the corn row.

I got a fire going in the pit a bit before 5pm for grilling later.

Super cool, thanks to @silvertop and @elizabethbit for the coffee. I had no clue they roast their own coffee!

Grilled the burgers and we ate dinner on the deck.

Forgot until late that I needed to hook the trailer up for the huge grain run I have done this morning.

While hooking the trailer up a hen was out which in the act of catching I scraped my leg good which took forever to stop bleeding before I could go soak. It then stung and ended up pushing me out early.

I have been to town for the grain, all 6 barrels of it, which I have emptied into the sheep pen already. @stryeyz and the boys are going the craft fair this morning, if the winds do pick up I will go kiting somewhere, the grass needs cutting, fence put up for the peas, wash my clothes, and then maybe grill again for dinner tonight.

SIGNUP FOR YOUR NEWTON PORTAL ACCOUNT AND WE BOTH EARN!