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October 1984

November 1984

December 1984

Nice Weekend at Hull

Another Fine Hull Weekend

Fall Weekend at Hull and Elk

A New Guy Named Allan

New Equipment

Harvest Fair

Autumn at Elk

Elk with Allan

Elk Again

My New HP

New HP at Elk

Winter Weather Sets In

Expensive Landing

Cold Sunday at Elk

Allan's Close Call

Christmas Party

Volume 35a

Volume 34b:

September 8, 1984 to December 23, 1984

Saturday, September 8, 1984 - 7:39 AM

Last night we had the Sonoma Wings meeting here. Just a few of the regulars attended, including Tom and Lin, Jon James, Bill Vogel, Tom and Denise, Eric Beckman, and Ernie and his two sons. It was a pleasant meeting, nothing momentous. Jon brought three movies, which I showed, then I showed an old 1980 movie of us at Hull and Usal.

Earlier I'd worked on a temporary rack for my new rig, so I'll be able to carry my own glider today anyway.

Monday, September 10, 1984 - 9 AM

My new Trooper was wonderful. I took it up the mountain on Saturday with two gliders and five people, all the windows closed and the air conditioner on, so no dust would get inside, and it didn't. I made it up easily, and the engine temperature stayed at halfway. Larry and his pretty woman friend, Christina, and Everett and his girlfriend, Eve, rode up with me, as they were providing the two drivers we needed. Christina drove the Trooper down (and thanked me for the pleasure).

I found Patti and Ivan at the campsite when I arrived, and soon Joe, then Roy, arrived, also Bill Vogel, who had come in right behind me. Sat around awhile, and I set up my tent in Tom and Lin's usual spot under the tree, and eventually, after Larry and Everett arrived, we loaded gliders and went on up, Roy getting the rest of the gliders.

It was a clear crisp day, no haze, though warm. We found Tom and Lin on top. Did a good deed first, opening the notice board and re-tacking all the things which had fallen down, including our flight guidelines.

I took my time and was the last to launch, from the Rockpile, with Christina and Eve's assistance, the SW slope. Thermals were strong, and after a lull, I launched into a real "tree shaker," getting lifted right up and circling right on up over the mountain top quickly. Roy said it was lifting over at Windy Ridge, so I went on over, but didn't find a lot.

Later, Roy had gone to Sanhedrin, was over 9000' there, so I left the top of Hull with 9000' or more and headed over there, swinging across the Ranch toward the ridge behind the tin roof.

There I found a thermal which took me from 7800' to 9400', so I headed on towards Potter Valley. By this time Roy had gone for it and made it to the corner store. I got over the second bald spot, could look down into Potter Valley, but it was a long way over lots of tree-covered terrain. It was about an equal distance back to Lake Pillsbury, but with a more favorable wind direction.

I was down to under 8000', so I decided to come back. Got a light thermal which I thought might change my mind, but it petered out. Got back to the edge of the lake with 6000', so headed for the lower knoll.

Only light stuff there, so I eventually went out to land, after an hour and a half, a nice flight, but I had a poor landing, though nothing bent, just overshot into the high grass.

I have some errands to do, so I'll continue this later.

12:57 Noon

Back to Saturday...

After flying and folding up, I walked with Ivan, Patti, and the dogs to Sunset Campground to go swimming, which was refreshing.

Forgot to say that in addition to Roy going to Potter Valley, so did Bill Vogel, going across the lake and out, with lots of altitude, getting to the far end of Potter Valley where Sharol once landed. He does very well on that Comet-2.

Sharol had told me that they were bringing Ivan's glider up on Saturday (later), so all day I was kidding Ivan, saying, "They must be coming through Cloverdale by now." But they never arrived until early Sunday morning, about 9:30, and went up to test fly it early.

I slept alright. In the morning, I saw Patti up in her running clothes and we'd talked about going running in the morning, so I got ready too. Ivan decided to pass, so it was just Patti and me, and Augie, their tireless dog.

We ran out the grassy meadow around to the airstrip, then down through the main campground and back to our camp, about three miles, I'd guess. I did it easily, and Patti almost stopped at one point, telling me to go on ahead if I wanted, saying later that it was a faster pace than she was used to, so it stretched her, and I felt okay running that far after not doing so for awhile.

Then we got Ivan, and all hiked over to Sunset for another swim, which was again very refreshing.

After Bones flew out with Ivan's new glider, a Duck, Stretch and Anne arrived also. I was glad to see them, and they greeted me warmly. We all loaded up on the two Toyota trucks (Roy's and Bill's) and headed on up by noon.

We also found Mel and Lynne on top with Sharol. Bones had brought a glider for him to fly, the 165 Comet-2 that Duane had had.

I was first to launch at the Rockpile at 1:57. Launched into a light thermal, but couldn't get over the top by much, so headed down by lower launch where I found a good one, which took me over the top. Mel launched, got high, as did others.

I went out to Windy Ridge, following Anne, and got a good thermal there to over 9000'. She headed across toward Sanhedrin, and I followed, getting another thermal to over 10,500' first. Got to the ridge behind the Ranch again with 9100', and saw Anne far below heading back down.

So I continued on toward Potter Valley again. This time I thought I was going for it, went past where I'd gone the day before, past the second grassy area, but then hit some sink taking me below 8000', and worrying me, so I turned back again.

Found some lift behind the first grassy area, got up to 7800' there, maintaining, even getting higher, but not enough to go again. Meanwhile, Anne had to land.

I headed back behind the airstrip and there got another thermal, a good one, which took me from 7000' all the way back up the mountain to over 10,000', and above the top. So that was a nice comeback, and with Stretch and Mike we later got to 11,300', but Ivan was even higher still in his new Duck.

I headed across to Sanhedrin again, getting to the first grassy area again, but not getting much thermal activity this time. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the first time I was over that area, a sailplane came streaking through beneath me, then climbed out and headed towards Hull.

Circled around some more, sinking gradually, and finally headed to the lower knoll again, where I met Stretch again, then we both headed out to land. Had a much better landing, overshooting the spot by just a little, as did Stretch ahead of me.

We took a long time packing up, showing my new Trooper to people, talking, etc., so it was after 6:30 by the time I left, and it was getting dark by the time I got to the Eel River for my swim. Got home at ten, another pleasant ride, listening to taped music all the way.

Tuesday, September 11, 1984 - 7:43 AM

Yesterday was mostly wasted. I went looking for roof racks at a few places but couldn't find the ones I wanted. Also I was very tired. Came home and took a nap for awhile.

In the morning though I took the car to wash it, get all the Hull Mountain red dirt off of it. Later I ran into Mel at K-Mart. He was looking at battery chargers, so I loaned him mine. Then he came over and we had a beer.

Also talked about his life, very busy now, as he's going to class at the J.C. for getting his private pilot's license. They have simulators, and the technical stuff is quite complex.

Friday, September 14, 1984 - 7:35 AM

Tom Denny called me after I got home. I'd talked with him about getting him to build me a front rack for the Trooper, as he's a welder. He's going to be at Hull this weekend.

Saturday, September 15, 1984 - 8:39 AM

Gordon Stitt called last night, will also be going to Hull. I'm getting ready to leave soon.

Monday, September 17, 1984 - 7:45 AM

Eventually we got our gliders loaded up onto three vehicles; Roy's, Bill's, and a guy named Dave's from San Jose, who had a 4-Runner. A couple of other truckloads had already gone up from another camp.

More later.

12:38 Noon

I'm feeling a little down and cranky today, and not sure why, some frustration and pressure at work. Also tired from the weekend, would like to go back to bed.

Got a nice letter from Drew today, encouraging me to come visit in Australia this year, and listing reasons why this would be the best time. So that's encouraging, and I should start making plans, put in for my vacation, etc.

Now back to Saturday... I set up at the Rockpile. Stretch launched and had trouble getting up, but eventually found something out a ways.

I launched into a light thermal, turned right, found some lift, made some turns, then started circling over launch, but not very high, so had to go looking around for more lift. Finally got a good one to over 8000', tried Windy Ridge but nothing there.

Came back and saw Ivan in a thermal in the West Bowl, came in under him and eventually passed him and climbed up to 9000' or more. Later I got to 10,400' with Mike, my high of the day.

Decided to head across the valley, and got some lift over the Ranch, headed on over the tin barn, and behind the bald area, but couldn't find much there, so I headed out towards the lower knoll as I lost my lift. Finally landed after an hour and a half.

Pitched my tent, changed my clothes, and folded up my glider. Socialized with all the pilots.

Eventually I cooked my dinner. Finally went to bed around ten, after Hank and Jon had left. They were just up for the day.

Slept fairly well, though not great. Got up at 8:30. Patti wasn't running, so I went running by myself, then went with Patti and Ivan to go swimming at Sunset, which was very refreshing. Then we had breakfast.

Everyone was slow getting it together for going up the hill, so we waited until Mike came from his cabin around noon. He didn't have his driver, so we loaded about twelve gliders onto two vehicles (Mike's and Roy's) and headed up with Patti and Lin to drive.

Again I set up at the Rockpile. Launched after Anne, waiting awhile as it was crossing from the South. I went off the left slope and had a fairly good launch.

After heading over to the ridge getting a little lift, I came back in front of launch, found more lift and circled on up, but again, not very high above the top. Had to go out over Lower Launch to find good ones, then got on up to over 8000', and eventually to over 9000', and a maximum of 9900' later.

I left with 9300' to try to cross the valley. Got over there with less than 8000', didn't find much, and was sinking out, so headed across the airstrip, was about to land at 3300' when I got something over the road, worked it carefully back to 4700' when I lost it, then headed up to the lower knoll, but didn't find anything there.

So back out to land again, but this time I found another thermal at the same place, which took me back up to 4200'. But then it died, and I did have to land, finally, and had a good one, just short of the spot.

Gradually packed up glider and gear, said goodbyes, and headed out around 5:30. Stopped for swimming at a different place, where Stretch and Anne go, further out the road. But there were people there, so I went up a ways, and after swimming by myself, Stretch and Anne arrived, and we swam together for awhile, until we said goodbye and left.

Cruised home by around eight. Unloaded and relaxed, went to bed at ten.

Thursday, September 20, 1984 - 7:38 AM

Tom Denny called. He's got my front rack almost built, but needs to make further measurements before proceeding. But he wasn't available last night, and I have class tonight, so he'll try to bring it with him to Hull this weekend.

Friday, September 21, 1984 - 7:36 AM

Then Mel dropped by to return my battery charger. And while he was here, talking about his aviation ground school, Ernie stopped by also, as he had a class to teach at 7 PM. So we all talked awhile, about flying, ultralights, Ernie's friend's recent death at Cloverdale, etc., until time to go to class.

Saturday, September 22, 1984 - 7:46 AM

Meeting Tom at Hull to fit my front rack. Tried to call Ivan and Patti, but got a busy signal all evening. I suspect they left. Didn't talk to anyone else.

Worked late last evening to get the Parking System Schema finished, which I finally did.

Went to the bank, and did some shopping. Otherwise I relaxed, watched TV; The Boarder, a Jack Nicholson movie, which was only fair.

Slept okay, I guess. I find I'm somewhat depressed for no good reason; the end of the flying season, winter approaching, no one to love, the disorganization of my life, things I should do weighing on me, missing Meredith still (always a factor)...

As I look out my window to the east, I see a hot-air balloon drifting from the SE, shortly after lift-off.

Well, now to pack up and get going.

Sunday, September 23, 1984 - (late evening)

Rode up on two trucks around 12:30, and found a NW wind on top. So we took advantage of poor conditions to rebuild the launch ramp at the top, and spent a couple of hours doing that, making it pretty solid.

When it was pretty much complete and it was 3:30, I checked out the NW launch at the Rockpile and began to set up. No one else is particularly fond of that launch, but I think it's fine. Anyway, no one else set up on top of the mountain.

Mike Kunitani drove down to Lower Launch, as did the others after I'd launched. But as I carried to launch, there was a long cycle coming up the regular west-facing slot, so I launched that way after all, but near the end of the cycle. So I didn't find much lift in front, turned right, found only marginal stuff, so turned and headed on down over Lower Launch, where Mike and friends were.

Got a thermal there, and managed to circle up even with the top, where the thermals would get broken up by the north wind. And after awhile of scratching there and trying to get up the ridge, I got below Lower on the north side, came around and had to head for Timberline, didn't find much, so headed out the first ridge finding only marginal lift in places.

Finally, I came out low over the second and first knolls, then the trees behind the runway, then over to the road, down to 3100'. There I began to find some convergence, which I was looking for, and was able to work it up to 3700' but no higher, eventually lost it and had to land.

By now, it was coming through the woods from the north in the landing area, so I set up far out over the reeds and had a good landing, though a bit further out than necessary.

Had a forty minute flight, which turned out to be long for the day. Mike, Ivan, and Roy were the only others to launch. And we had the feeling that the season was over at Hull.

That evening, the wind continued to gust through from the NW, and it got quite chilly around the campfire. We said goodnight around 9:30. So I got in the Isuzu and listened to tapes on the stereo for awhile. It made a nice music chamber. No one else could hear it.

Finally went to bed. Never did sleep real well. My tent flapped a lot in the wind, and the front poles fell loose with a clatter.

Got up around 8:30, though it was still chilly. Didn't go running, as no one else wanted to, and I didn't really want to either. So I made some coffee, then cooked some eggs.

Around ten, the wind shifted north, and we realized it was no use going up the mountain, and some of us decided to go to Elk instead, where we thought it would be soarable. Ivan and Patti decided not to, however.

At Elk Mountain, we met a guy named Allan Barr, with a Magic, and he rode in with us on Roy's truck. His wife and grandmother drove down, as did Lin, and I parked the Isuzu in the woods out of sight.

Roy was ready first, and launched, but after getting up for a few minutes, got flushed on out. Then Ted, then Allan launched.

It was Allan's first altitude flight, but he did very well, scratching and thermaling for over an hour, though never really getting high, mostly scratching the NE ridge to the right of launch.

Rich Sauer, Stretch, Anne, Tom Hazelwood and Denise, Joe Baltz, and a girl named Mona arrived too, and Rich launched right before me. I'd spent some time clipping bushes at launch, which had gotten overgrown during the summer.

I launched, turned right, flew through some light lift, came back below launch, and had to go to the west end, where I scratched over the lower ridge awhile, thinking I might be flushed, though Rich had gotten up down there.

Finally, working hard, I managed to get above launch, made another pass over launch, and got some thermals at the east end for awhile, eventually getting a few hundred feet above the ridge.

Later still, after most others had launched and were scratching below me, I got another nice one, and circled higher and higher with a drift to the SE, eventually getting to 8000' plus, with Tom Hazelwood below me.

I was way back, looking down on Pitney, having an easy run to Upper Lake, but with my truck on top, and my keys in my pocket, I didn't feel like going anywhere, so I headed back to Elk, passing Tom going the other way.

Then I flew across toward Horse Mountain and Potter Valley, but didn't have enough altitude left, so eventually headed out the valley and over the landing area. Made a good setup and a good landing to the WNW, didn't drop the nose, though I had to run a few steps.

Talked with people, folded up my glider, then rode up with Ted and Roy to get our vehicles on top.

Finally said goodbyes and came on home.

Thursday, September 27, 1984 - 6:17 AM

Ann Smith has been meeting me here, and riding with me. We've had some good talks, shared a lot.

The class has been disappointing in that it's covering too much basic stuff that we already know, and we've been plagued by computer failures, with the system going down every day so far, so that we're way behind on our prototypes. And the guy I've had to work with, James, is a difficult partner, and I've had to assert myself to get to do anything myself, as he is a "know-it-all," who doesn't really know very much.

On Tuesday afternoon, we got out early and walked around for a couple of hours before dinner. Time to go now.

Friday, September 28, 1984 - 6:22 AM

Saturday, September 29, 1984 - 1:40 PM

Sunday, September 30, 1984 - 10:20 AM

In the morning, I took the hand-held unit apart trying to find its problem. Moved a lot of wires around, but don't think I was able to improve it. May just have to get another.

Relaxed in the evening, watched some TV, but nothing that I recall. Allan Barr called to see if I was going flying today. I said I wasn't, but told him how to get to Hull Mountain. He's a bond broker, he said.

Haven't heard from Jean yet. I should call her perhaps, later today.

While downtown yesterday, I bought another Jackson Browne album, For Everyman, a good one, which I've been taping this morning on the back of a Bonnie Raitt tape.

11:38 AM

I have some bills to pay and letters to write, but will do that this evening. Called Janice M. (no answer) and JoAnn to see if they wanted to go out to Goat Rock. JoAnn was almost about to, but is involved in projects.

2:52 PM

6:11 PM

I was shocked to hear this. She said she'd gone with Don to George Worthington's funeral (also killed in an ultralight accident). A sad situation.

Anyway, she said she still definitely wanted the Scout, but might have to delay it as she had to go east to Chincoteague with her mother, but would be back by the 22nd, and would get in touch with me.

Wednesday, October 3, 1984 - 7:14 AM

Last evening I went to Radio Shack and got the other kind of antenna that I thought I could mount on the magnetic base, but the connection was different, so I had to take it back.

Sharol had called me at work to tell me that they'd have a new Wills Wing HP (high performance) glider up here on Thursday. Also she was going to get my air pump back to me. And it turns out I owe Bones $20, which I totally spaced out on, from when I bought the roof rack. When I remembered this, I called him and apologized.

Later Sharol called to say they'd have the HP set up at the shop from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday. If it's a good improvement over current designs, I'm very much interested.

Tom Denny called to confirm our plans to meet tonight to fit my front glider rack.

Later Tom Hazelwood called. He was upset because he'd heard from Denise that there's a move afoot to "pull" her rating (Hang 4, advanced), and he wondered if I'd heard anything about it.

I hadn't, and was also upset by the story, as I like Denise and feel that her rating is as solid as anyone else's.

She thought that Sharol was behind it, but I find that hard to believe. Anyway, I told him I'm 100% on her side if anything comes up. He and Denise are going to Indian Valley with Stretch and Anne this weekend.

I'm skipping breakfast today, as I feel overly full. I've been into a compulsive eating binge recently, and it worries me. I get home from work and can't help but raid whatever I have, usually bananas, peanut butter, oatmeal cookies, and ice cream, so that by later in the evening I'm bloated.

I haven't gained a whole lot of weight or anything, but I'm distressed by my lack of willpower to stop, and wonder what's behind this strong urge to eat. It probably relates to the lack of love in my life and my craving for someone to love, an oral substitution.

Thursday, October 4, 1984 - 7:49 AM

I fasted yesterday, except for a banana at lunch. Feel a little better today, though weak.

Overslept this morning, so missed my run. It's overcast outside, fog and low clouds, could rain.

Friday, October 5, 1984 - 7:31 AM

Also I tried on some cocoon harnesses, found one I liked pretty well that Bones said he'd give me a special deal on. May go ahead and get that one, made by Pacific Windcraft.

Then I had to leave and go to my class, which was a good one, covering Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius, and the 7th, 8th, and 9th houses.

I asked about Saturn conjunct Pluto in the 7th house (Meredith), and he had some insightful things to say, and knew right away that it was someone born in 1947. I have it on tape and will listen again. Scorpio was very interesting also.

Came home, relaxed, then went to bed. The weather's not looking good for the weekend, possible rain on Saturday. It was damp and foggy out this morning.

I may run in the Harvest Fair 10k on Sunday.

Saturday, October 6, 1984 - 9:38 AM

Did laundry at Coddingtown. Tried to call Bones a few times, but no answer at the shop, so I eventually drove to his house, where I found him at home with Sharol.

I told him I was interested in the harness, and he proceeded to offer me a deal on an HP. He said he couldn't afford to get one for the shop, but wanted to get one up here, so would make me a special deal. Also he said that Wills had changed their plan so that he couldn't make as much on it, and that other than standard colors would cost $200 extra, but he offered me a deal including the harness, that was over $300 off of list, with a guarantee that if after 30 days I wasn't satisfied, we'd split the loss on a resale.

Anyway, after thinking about it for a day, I've decided to go for it, will get it in my colors (blue and gold and white) which Bones will pay for (as part of the deal). So we drove to the shop, I tried the harness some more, took it with me, and will try to fly with it at Goat Rock today, weather permitting.

Last night I relaxed, watched some TV (nothing memorable), read some in Rudyar, then went to bed at ten.

Jon James called last evening, said some people were going to fly at St. Helena, but I wasn't really interested.

Allan Barr called this morning, wanted to go to the mountains. He said it was sunny and nice at San Rafael, while it was fogged in here. But I called Ivan, and decided I'd opt for Goat Rock, as I'd planned with Bones.

I've been thinking about my sudden willingness to spend all this money on myself, and see it as part of my regeneration process, an outward reflection of it. In the past, Saturn has held me back (also Jupiter in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn), but now I'm more willing to trust the future, and my ability to survive or make a living, so there's not such a strong need to save what I have.

Jupiter is in Capricorn now, approaching a return (5 of Capricorn now, approaching my Jupiter at 17 of Capricorn), so this may have something to do with it too. It's scary to deplete my financial resources, but I'm still not going into debt by any means.

Sunday, October 7, 1984 - 7:27 AM

Yesterday, after breakfast, I waited around to see if Goat Rock looked promising. Eventually Ivan called. He decided to head on out, was going to come by to see if I wanted to go. But after waiting over an hour, maybe two, I assumed he'd forgotten me, as I tried to call and got no answer, so I loaded my glider and drove over to Bones' to see if he was going, also to tell him I'd decided to go ahead and order the HP.

Jon came over, to work on the front house (he owned them). I greeted him warmly, but noticed that Bones hardly acknowledged him, continued washing his truck, and I wondered if there was some dispute between them. Eventually I headed out to Goat Rock, as Bones decided not to go.

It wasn't soarable, hardly blowing at all, and no one else was there. As I stood by the cliff, I heard a call from below, looked in the lower parking lot and saw Ivan's truck. I waved, and he waved back, and soon drove back up.

I decided to fly to the beach just to test the new harness. So a crowd of spectators gathered as I set up my Comet. And the wind did pick up to 5 to 8 or so maximum, so I waited to see if it would get stronger, but it never did.

So I finally launched, running hard, dropping the boot to find that it had turned inside out, so I had to kick it to get it right before I could get in it, which I did, and got in easily. Then I made a couple of turns, getting lower, set up a landing at the close part of the beach which was less crowded, and had an okay landing.

After I folded up, Ivan and the dogs and I took a nice walk down the beach and back. We joke around pretty well together, seem to be pretty good friends, and similar in personality.

Later he called me up, and invited me over for hamburgers. But I told him I didn't want to eat hamburgers before the race, but thanked him for the invitation. I realized afterwards that it may have been difficult for him to invite me, and my rejection may have been a mistake, as I like him, enjoy his friendship.

Got to go now.

Monday, October 8, 1984 - 7:22 AM

I got over there in plenty of time. Saw Bob Keyser from our office. Didn't see Fred or Phil, both of whom ran in excellent time. Saw Dick Fugett, who was there with a younger girl (his daughter? young lover?) whose name I forget.

Running up into the park, I saw and said hi to Kathy (the blonde from the County Counsel Office), touched her hand as I went by on the way back, which she held out to me. Going up through the park, I overtook the tall curly-haired blonde who used to work in the Transit Office there which got moved. Said hi to her as I ran beside her, said, "Didn't you used to work at the County?"

Also recalled that she drove an Opel. Her name is Jae Barber. She's 29, is now an MBA student at San Francisco State. We talked awhile after the race. She passed me near the finish and we came through the gate around the same time.

For the last two or three miles I just wanted to finish, was pretty tired. An eight year old girl caught me and we ran together for awhile before she gradually pulled away. She's a phenom, finished in 49:20, third in the 14 and under girls category. I finished in 50:15, almost three minutes slower than last year. The hilly course had something to do with that, I think.

Stayed a little while at the Fair, but after finding out my time (50:15 - 502nd) I headed back to my car. Got a lift from another runner.

It had become a nice day, so I decided to head out to Goat Rock. But by the time I got there I was beginning to realize that I was very tired. It was fogged in, and only blowing about 7, so after laying on the ground for awhile, I left at 2:30, headed back inland via Coleman Valley Road, and stopped off to visit James for a few minutes.

Had a chat with James, and said hi to Sandra and Jimba. Showed them the Trooper again. Sandra hadn't seen it, and she said that James was envious. She liked it, said she'd be willing to drive it down the mountain. She also said, "You deserve it."

Came home and lay down for a nap. Later got up and watched the Presidential Debate, then 60 Minutes. Also took a bath, and went to bed around 10.

Got up at 5 AM, thinking the alarm had gone off. Shaved, etc. before noticing the clock in the living room.

Tuesday, October 9, 1984 - 7:25 AM

After work I went shopping. Then at 6:35, I got a call from the computer center. Glenn had made some changes on Sunday without telling me, which prevented the TP machine from sending a job to the Batch machine, so the journals filled (both of them) and IDMS stopped. I had to go in and offload them.

Watched a two-hour show on Psychic Phenomena, narrated by Raymond Burr. Pretty interesting, especially the segment on Edgar Cayce.

Went to bed at ten. Slept pretty well. I had some dreams.

My toe's still sore, but I took a short run.

Wednesday, October 10, 1984 - 11:34 AM

Last night I went to the Sonoma Wings meeting at Tom Denny's. Also there were Allan, Jon, Tom and Denise, Bob Storms, Brian, Ivan and Patti, and Duane. We had nominations for officers, and I was nominated for President again, which I guess I'll accept if elected.

Also, Denise talked about the conspiracy to have her Hang-4 and observership pulled, which was related to her by Sharol. But I didn't get the impression that she or Bones were involved. Tom Denny said he'd heard some talk of it from Fort Funston people.

Came home at 10:30, after showing some movies.

Saturday, October 13, 1984 - 8:49 AM

Haven't been able to reach Ivan, and Lin was working today, so Tom wasn't going anywhere. Also called John Blacet, Jon James, left a message for Hank, and for Larry Smith, and Stretch and Anne.

The road at Elk might be muddy. Goat Rock may be blown out. Also considering a trip to Berkeley. Wonder where Ivan and Patti went.

Monday, October 15, 1984 - 7:31 AM

It was soarable from the NW with 5 to 15 at launch. While we were there, Jack Anderson and another Sacramento pilot also arrived with a driver, but they went on down to the point to launch.

I launched first at 1:55, and again had a problem with my new harness boot, which flipped inside out, and it took me longer to get it straightened out, a minute or two. But fortunately, there was enough lift so I could recover from that, and I was soon above launch, soaring the ridge, but never getting very high. 4650' was my high of the day after circling in a light thermal along the northerly ridge.

Ted and the two Sacramento pilots, flying Ducks, also got up, and we all flew around with lots of space. Finally, after two hours, I headed on out, and had a perfect landing, after 2 hours and 15 minutes, a good flight.

We got our gliders folded up, and I drove Ted back up the mountain to get his truck, my first trip up Elk with my new Trooper, which made it easily.

All alone at the campground after they all went home, I decided to camp over anyway, as the weather looked good and I had my gear. Also I'd collected some firewood on the way down the hill, so was all set. Got the tent set up, got a fire going, which took some doing as the wood was damp, and cooked my steak.

After dinner I drove into Upper Lake with the intention of calling Tom Denny, to tell him I was at Elk, but the numbers I tried were wrong numbers. So I had a beer at the pizza place, went back to camp, then went to bed, after listening to some music in the car for awhile.

Slept pretty well. Was the only person in the campground except for one group in a school bus down at the other end. Surprising for such a nice weekend.

Got up around nine. Ate some food and coffee. Read awhile in Rudyar. Then started working on adjusting my new harness.

Made friends with a wild (or abandoned) calico cat that came walking through the campground. A very lovable kitty.

Soon Barry arrived, then Allan. More later.

12:20 Noon

Back to Sunday morning... No one else showed up but Barry and Allan, so we loaded their gliders on my Trooper and we headed up the mountain, planning to retrieve it later. Found it cycling up at 5 to 15 again, looking soarable, so we set up our gliders.

Since I'd be taking the car keys, I would launch last, so assisted first Allan, then Barry to launch. Roy had also arrived by then. He'd been to Usal on Saturday, having met Don and Marty at a gas station in Willits. But he said it wasn't all that great, a bit too northy.

I launched at 2:30. Again my boot partially inverted, but I was able to easily free it this time and get in, and was soon soaring over the ridge.

For awhile it was much like the day before, though with occasional waves from Horse Mountain, and widespread lift. Then it suddenly changed and got very turbulent and sinky, though there was still some lift.

An upper level north wind was coming though over the lower level NW wind. To the NE a ways, there were places where you could get up into it, and at one point I got a thermal that took me to over 5200' and into that layer.

Then, awhile later, another thermal took me to 5500', and another to over 6000' in a strong north wind that I could hardly penetrate. So I stayed up there alone for awhile, quite chilly also, as Roy below struggled to find the way up, but never did, nor did anyone else.

Finally we all headed out. Barry had landed earlier. And I left with 5500', had 5000' over the landing area, and could easily have made it downwind over Mid-mountain into Bachelor Valley, but that of course would have created logistical problems.

So I circled down and landed, after a one and a half hour flight. The landing area was very turbulent, and I dropped straight down about 50 feet, then was popped, then dropped again, but from a low level, so that nothing was bent. Felt good just to make it down safely, as it was one of the most turbulent days I've had at Elk, though also great fun, and very exhilarating.

Allan, who doesn't have a parachute yet, said he got tumbled completely at one point, but rolled out of it.

Barry, Allan, and Roy went up to retrieve vehicles while I folded up my tent and gear.

Then, when we were all ready, Roy suggested pizza, and Allan and I agreed, and we had a very nice dinner of pizza and beer at the Upper Lake pizza place.

Then I cruised on home. Watched part of the show called, "Single Bars, Single Women," but found it embarrassingly bad, so turned it off and went to bed.

Tuesday, October 16, 1984 - 9:14 PM

Monday night, Mary came over to dinner, wanting me to cook something. She also brought her parachute, which I may sell for her to Allan.

Jon called, has some friends at HP who want a glider to learn on. Anyway, I told him I'd sell my Raven for $600, and they're very interested.

Thursday, October 18, 1984 - 7:34 AM

After work, Jon James and his three friends came over to look at my Raven. We set it up in the back yard and they liked it, will come back today to pick it up and pay for it.

Last night, I just relaxed, watched TV. Slept pretty well. Awoke to another very chilly day.

Also had a long talk with Mel last night. Also called Mike Cate, and talked with him. He's got a new job, still with the University, and has been spending weekends helping his other office get caught up on things, so hasn't had much free time.

Friday, October 19, 1984 - 7:26 AM

After work, Glenn Baker came by to pick up the Raven and pay for it. Then I watched some news before going to the bank to make some deposits.

Just after I got home, the phone rang, and it was Jean Little calling from Chincoteague, Virginia. She said her car had burned up on the way to the airport. And she asked if I could meet her at the airport on Sunday night, then she could drive the Scout home.

I said I'd love to.

She said her mother had agreed to loan her the money for the Scout, but that she wouldn't have it for a few days, and was that okay?

I said sure. Anyway, she'll call tonight about her flight time.

9:53 PM

He approved my taking off Monday, also my January vacation (to Australia), if I take steps to train someone else as a backup, and agree to telephone a few times. The problems of being indispensable.

Talked to a few people tonight, after spending the early evening vacuuming and cleaning out the Scout. I worry a little that Jean might have problems with the Scout, but hope not. Her luck with cars recently hasn't been that good, hitting a deer with her friend's car, then hers catching on fire. As she said, its bound to change for the better, and I hope the "Eagle Scout," a "car with character" as she called it, will be good for her.

Anyway, Tom called, and Jon, and Allan, who will ride up to Elk with me. And I called Ivan, who just got his new glider today (a Wills Wing Duck).

And finally, Jean called. She waited until after eleven (eight here) to call because of a special rate. Anyway, she'll be arriving at Oakland Airport on World Airways flight 31 at 8:55 PM. She was worried that Oakland would be too much further for me, but actually it may be closer. Anyway, she may go on to Los Angeles before going home, to take care of her burned-out car.

And I told her that I took Monday off, in case she wants to stay over a day.

Saturday, October 20, 1984 - 8:33 AM

I was up early and have been doing some cleanup in the kitchen, floors, sink, etc., in anticipation of Jean coming. Now I'm waiting for Allan, and we'll head up to Elk together.

Sunday, October 21, 1984 - 11:26 AM

Yesterday, Allan arrived right on time, said he has "a fetish for time." We loaded everything in the "Sky Trooper" (a name Mel suggested), and we headed for Elk. We had good conversation and sharing for most of the trip up, telling each other much about our lives, relationships, jobs, aspirations, etc., and also talking about hang gliding, astrology, the economy, and life itself.

I was so engrossed in the conversation that I'd driven all the way to the end of Potter Valley before I realized I was headed for Hull instead of Elk, on automatic pilot, so turned around and headed back up to Upper Lake and Elk Mountain.

When we arrived, we found a track meet going on at the campground, involving a number of schools including Santa Rosa High. Jon, Ivan, and Roy were sitting at roadside, watching. Also there were Tom and Lin, Joe Baltz, and Stretch and Anne, who arrived shortly with brand new mountain bikes they'd just gotten. Very nice.

Eventually we loaded up on two trucks (Dale then arrived also) and headed up the mountain, a good group.

Joe was off first, as usual, and found it soarable, but he couldn't get very high. When I launched at 2:15, after everyone except Ivan and Jon, I had the same trouble with my harness boot flipping inside out, and finally had to reach down and grab it to free it. So I must do something about that. Then I soared around in a crowded sky, never getting to more than 4500' or so.

After an hour or so, Anne, Roy, and Stretch had headed out to land. We were having our own annual cross-country contest, but people were deciding not to bother in the light conditions, but I left with a thermal at about 4400' and headed out, was over the LZ with about 3500' or so, so decided to head on down the creekbed, and was able to get a good glide all the way to the corner near the yellow barn.

But I couldn't see any landing spots further, so circled there and came back towards the sock so I could be seen better, and landed in the creekbed. So I was the only one to go for it. Don't know if the contest will continue through today.

Lin picked me up in the Sky Trooper, but she hadn't figured out how to get the CB radio to work (plug it into the cigarette lighter socket), and we headed back to the campground.

Then I drove Roy and Allan back up to get the other trucks on top. Tiko (Joe's dog) was still waiting patiently there for Joe, had declined to fly with him however. Dale was still soaring in smoother air, stayed up until six, for four hours.

Soon we all headed to town for pizza at the pizza place, which was very good. Then Allan and I left to head home. We listened to tapes, didn't talk all that much, were both very tired.

We unloaded our gliders, and Allan headed home. I went to bed soon. Slept well, but had a headache during the night and this morning.

Right now, I'm in the middle of a hassle with Mary, that I can't believe is happening. She's making me so damned angry. She'd mentioned that she wanted to sell her parachute. Allan needed one, so I mentioned it to Mary and she brought it over. Anyway, yesterday he looked at it and decided to buy it, but said he couldn't pay for it 'til the end of the month. I said fine, and sold it to him for $250, and got his IOU.

I called Mary a few minutes ago in a good mood, to give her the good news. But instead of saying thank you, she began haranguing me for not getting the money, for "giving away" her parachute.

I got so angry at her attitude when I even assured her that it was my responsibility and no worry of hers, that eventually I had to hang up on her, and did so several times, before she would see my point of view. Finally, however, we left it in a good place.

Monday, October 22, 1984 - 7:51 AM

Tuesday, October 23, 1984 - 7:38 AM

I told her she had left her book, Richard Bach's, The Bridge Across Forever, and that I'd been reading it all day. She said she'd hoped I would read it, though she hadn't intentionally left it.

I'm up to page 160+ and finding it most interesting, as it's his personal story of his search for a "soul mate," very well written and poignant.

Forgot to tell of my trip to and from the airport, but I got lost both ways, but arrived in plenty of time, enjoyed being there and seeing all the people coming and going.

I got called in to work yesterday at about two, then left at three when the problem was solved. Was called again at 7:30 PM for another problem. Stayed about an hour.

Time to go now.

8:45 PM

Saturday, October 27, 1984 - 8:26 AM

Last night I went shopping, called around, watched some TV, read a little, and finally went to bed.

Monday, October 29, 1984 - 7:08 AM

The weekend was nice, though it started raining on Sunday morning, so we had to pack up our gear and leave.

But Saturday had been very nice, clear and crisp. It was just Allan and me, Ivan, and Roy, so we all rode up in Roy's truck.

I helped Ivan readjust his new glider, switching the CG and control bar mount brackets, and it did fly better.

I launched last, by myself, into soarable lift, and the four of us flew around for an hour or so. I seemed to be getting as high or higher than others most of the time, got to 5000' three times, 5050' maximum, by following thermals up the bowl behind the ridge.

Allan landed first, and rode back up for another flight with Rich Sauer, who arrived later. I headed out, finally, because my hands were cold, and had a good landing, one of my best in awhile.

Roy went home, and the rest of us got a fire going (I collected wood after driving Roy and Ivan up to retrieve the vehicles on top), set up our tents and cooked some steaks.

My cat friend (the Calico) returned to visit us, and we fed her scraps and gave her lots of love and attention. There was also a black cat, who came over and overcame its fear to get some loving and food also.

It was a very dark night, the sliver of a moon having set soon after the sun.

Allan got claustrophobia a few times during the night, would awaken and cry out in panic in his tent. He got up early on an overcast Sunday morning and got a fire going.

Ivan and I eventually got up, and we all drove to town for breakfast.

Had a talk with Ron Stone, the Ranger, when we got back to camp. He said he was the only person left in the department now, due to further budget cutting. He said morale was bad, and Rangers were leaving the Forest Service too.

After it started raining and we left, we met Roy coming back to get his motorcycle and windsock, and all of us went to visit Rich for a little while. He's alone now. Janet and child having moved out.

He said when asked about it, that it was because "I'm a habitual asshole." He said he'd warned her from the beginning that, "I'm an asshole."

Soon we headed on home. Allan tried to call Donna a couple of times, but she wasn't home yet. So he waited at my house, reading Hang Gliding magazines until she got home, then came to get him.

I relaxed for the rest of the day. Had hoped to get organized, pay bills, but didn't.

Took a bath and went to bed early. Slept okay until 5:30 (used to be 6:30), so got up at six and went running.

Saturday, November 3, 1984 - 9:36 PM

My new glider, a Wills Wing HP, looked very nice in its dark blue leading edge, gold undersurface, and white top and trailing edge, just like the Comet, but without the orange tips, very classy.

Also there were Sharol, Duane, Tom and Lin, Brian and his girlfriend, and later, Ivan and Patti, also John Blacet flying an Esprit.

Duane and John flew first, then it lulled a bit and they got low, finally leaving as Bones was getting ready to test fly the HP. Then it picked up and Bones launched. He flew for about twenty minutes, then headed out.

I drove down with Sharol, and then helped him carry the glider back up for my flight.

Soon I launched at about one o'clock, using my old harness, so I wouldn't have to worry about getting into the new one. The handling was different, but not all that different, and I was soon getting used to it. Flew with Tom Denny and stayed above him easily. Did some 360s, flew fast and slow, and liked the glider very much.

The wind got much stronger. A girl flying a Lancer and I were the only ones up after awhile, but I was much higher. Soon I headed out, had a good landing beyond the parking lot.

After we'd all folded up, we stopped on the way back at Bridgehaven, where Bones and I filled out the paperwork, and Tom ordered his Magic from Bones also.

Came on home, relaxed, went shopping, watched Battle of the Titans on TV, a hokey version of Perseus and Andromeda, with some changing of the myth.

Allan will come up tomorrow and we'll go up to Elk.

Monday, November 5, 1984 - 7:31 AM

So yesterday turned out to be another clear and sunny day, and Allan arrived around nine. We checked his radio batteries, and it turned out that he'd put some of them in backwards, so we left it here to charge.

We got off by 9:30, and got to the campground at Elk by 11:30, to find Ivan, Tim, and Bill Vogel. Bill dislocated his shoulder recently at Fort Funston, so couldn't fly, but was up to being a driver, a nice thing to do.

We waited until after noon, but no one else showed up, so we headed for the top in my Isuzu "Skytrooper," with Bill to drive it down. When we got on top, we heard Roy on the radio, and he drove on up.

While setting up, another truck drove up, and one of the guys was Ray Cooper, whom I'd known from the Spring of 1980. He still has his Seahawk, but hasn't flown much, wants to get back into it.

With the aid of the instructions, I got my new glider set up, and watched the others launch from the South Launch, where the air was almost still.

Roy went first, scratched around the knoll, then slowly got up. Allan and Tim got flushed, with Allan having trouble getting into his harness. Ivan scratched low, slipping down the mountain, not quite flushed.

I launched, trying the method of holding my boot with my teeth, but it still didn't prevent its flipping inside out, but I got it straightened out quickly, and flew over to the knob, where I got lift coming around the other side.

So I did passes at first, then 360s, and soon was up above Roy, getting to 4800' maximum, and staying above Roy (and Ivan) for the rest of the flight.

I watched Ivan struggle back up the mountain, but he never got much higher, and eventually got flushed. I think he's disappointed with his new Duck.

I liked the HP, though am still getting used to the turning technique, which may take awhile.

Finally Roy headed out after an hour or so, so I followed. The landing area was particularly dead. I set up a little high and came streaking across the field, found my arms too extended for a hard flare, so ran it out, then let it go, and swung through, not bending anything however. Felt good about the flight, except for the landing.

Then we all got packed up and went to town for pizza and beer, then finally headed home. Got home at 7 PM, turned on 60 Minutes, while we unloaded and waited for Donna to pick up Allan.

Donna arrived and we talked for awhile. Neither of them see the marriage lasting, as hang gliding is becoming a bigger difference between them.

Eventually they left, and I watched The Right Stuff on HBO until 11:30. Went to bed tired. Had a headache this morning, but will go to work anyway.

Tuesday, November 6, 1984 - 7:38 AM

Yesterday, I was surprised to find that my beat-up old commuting bike from Sears (1963) had been stolen off my front porch. I'd been leaving it there, unlocked, for two years, and thought no one would bother to steal it. I can't imagine who would have.

Oh well, it's no great loss, but it does create a little anger at being "ripped off," and I rode around the JC on my newer bike last evening, looking to see if it had been left there.

Wednesday, November 7, 1984 - 10:31 PM

Today, Mary came to the office at lunch time. I showed her my office, then she drove me home. I gave her the check from Allan for her parachute, and we had a nice visit.

Tonight I went to the Sonoma Wings meeting at Jon James' house. There were only twelve of us, but we did our elections anyway. Duane was elected president, so I don't have to worry about that, as I thought I would be elected again. I'm somewhat relieved that I'm not an officer, for the first time since we formed the club.

James was there, invited me to Thanksgiving dinner, with Stretch and Anne also. That will be nice.

Tomorrow I have to go to San Francisco for a DBMS presentation, which is why I am writing tonight.

Saturday, November 10, 1984 - 1:54 PM

Sunday, November 11, 1984 - 10:25 AM

Monday, November 12, 1984 - 12:27 Noon

Saturday, November 17, 1984 - 2:59 PM

It was foggy when I awoke and got up. Allan called while I was in the shower around 7:15, and said it was clear down there, so we decided to go to Elk. But by the time he got here, the fog had burned off and there was a big system headed this way from the NW.

We called Roy (still fogged in), then Anne, and she said it was already looking dismal up there at Willits, so we decided to go out to Goat Rock instead, which we did.

But the wind was dead to light south there, and Allan thought he might go to Ed Levin Park, so we headed back to my house, stopping to talk with Duane on the way out. Anyway, Allan left, probably to go home, as the sky was getting filled with clouds by then.

Sunday, November 18, 1984 - 8:34 AM

Monday, November 19, 1984 - 7:45 AM

Eventually we headed over to Elk, found Tim there, and headed up on two vehicles.

I launched last. The modifications to my harness worked fine, and I had a very good flight. Was able to get higher than everyone, and had some speed races with Roy, was able to keep up with him, but had trouble keeping from oscillating at speed.

But my landing was my most expensive ever, as I bent my keel. My set up was good, though a little high, but I streaked across the ground, got high on the downtubes and was preparing to flare, when my basebar hit a little rise, the nose pitched down hard, and I went limp and swung through.

My leg hit something hard, but I thought the glider was okay with only a small bow in a downtube, which I was able to straighten. But later I noticed a bend in the keel to the left. Evidently my leg had hit the rear side wire and yanked the keel over.

4:45 PM

Anyway, after folding up our gliders, we went to the pizza place with Roy and Tom, and Ivan, but Ivan didn't stay. Allan and I played a few games of Road Racing on the video game there. Also, there was a cute little blonde waitress that I liked.

Got home. After Donna picked up Allan, I took a bath to soak my sore leg. Watched a little TV and relaxed. Went to bed early, before ten.

Wednesday, November 21, 1984 - 7:28 AM

Yesterday, Bones called me at work, and at lunchtime I took my HP to the shop. He still has John Blacet's glider to work on first, so I may not have mine back until next weekend.

Friday, November 23, 1984 - 12:56 Noon

At Goat Rock, I found Brian Scharp and Pam, also John Blacet. We waited around but it never got soarable. I opened the wings of my Comet to air out, as it had gotten damp last time out.

Finally left at about 2:30 for James and Sandra's house and Thanksgiving dinner. Found a good group of people, including Stretch and Anne, Peter and Debra, Tom Barker, James and Sandra, and they greeted me warmly. I felt good being there.

We drank beer, and talked for an hour or two before dinner. I forgot to mention that I'd been fasting all day Wednesday and Thursday.

Dinner was wonderful, very delicious, with much more than enough, a whole turkey we never got to at all.

I finally left around 8:30 and came on home, went to bed about 9:30, pretty tired.

Forgot to say that the 11x14 photo of Anne flying, that I'd had made (over Lake Pillsbury) hadn't come out well, so I'd refused it, disappointed, ordered another. It was all washed out, underexposed, I thought. But I'd taken the 8x10 of Joe over the dam, and I showed it to everyone.

This morning Allan called around eight. He said it was cloudy there, but he thought he'd go to Elk anyway.

I passed.

He called later to say that the clouds were breaking up and it was clearing, but I'd gone back to bed and still decided to pass. Wasn't sure why, but I was into staying at home, being inward.

A reason may have been that I got a letter from Meredith later when the mail came. It's a heavy one, but honest and thoughtful.

At any rate, I'm touched and moved by this letter, by her honesty, and by her willingness to let me see a little of her pain, even if her outlook is more pessimistic than mine as to what we can accomplish with understanding and love.

Also my intuition is confirmed, that I was right about the coolness, the lack of affection I felt in her last letter, and also before about her anger and resentment, still unexpressed, blocking her feelings toward me. I'm not sure just how to reply, but want to reply.

Monday, November 26, 1984 - 7:59 PM

Whoops, she just called. More later. Still have to catch up about my flight yesterday.

9:23 PM

It was an okay movie, good acting with Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep, but a mediocre plot. Both were married to nice spouses, and there was no particular excitement to their romance. They seemed to be driven by nothing stronger than boredom and indecision, and the relationship seemed to serve no purpose but to hurt their spouses and destroy those relationships. Also I got claustrophobic seeing all the people in that New York City setting. I couldn't stand to live there again.

But it was nice getting out with them, and Mary was very affectionate. I felt loved and cared for, appreciated her "unconditional love," even though she's moved on, which Meredith had mentioned. But I do crave it from Meredith as well.

10 PM

He'd gone Friday, under overcast skies, but no one was there. Donna went with him. He'd hiked his glider in, but then got fogged in, so couldn't fly. So he left his glider there, and hiked out.

Then he went all the way back up there on Saturday, to get his glider and hike it out on a rainy day. That took some of the eagerness out of him, and he told me he would follow my lead from now on.

On Sunday, we stopped at Rich Sauer's on a very cold day, with lots of clouds forming from the moisture. Roy eventually came, with Tom, as did Erin, and finally we headed to Elk around 1PM.

On top it was marginally soarable. Roy, then Rich, then I launched. I did a potentially dumb thing, only hooking into my backup loop to check my ropes, then forgetting to hook in the rest of the way. After I'd launched myself, I thought about it, looked up and saw it, so reached up and at least locked my carabiner. But I wasn't really worried.

And I enjoyed the precise handling of the Comet again, stayed up longest after everyone else got flushed, finally headed down after an hour and a half, including some close soaring passes in front of launch.

Tom Wormington had blown his launch. And Erin found he had a bent leading edge, so both were folding up their gliders.

My set-up wasn't quite as good as I wanted, but I turned again, came in okay for a no-wind landing, flared hard, and landed on my feet. A good flight.

Pizzas and beer at Treasure Cove in Upper Lake. Lori, whom I hadn't seen for a year or two, looked very attractive. She's married to Erin, but they have a young baby now.

Home by 8:30. Unloaded and relaxed awhile. Now to bed.

Tuesday, November 27, 1984 - 7:48 AM

Thursday, November 29, 1984 - 7:44 AM

Yesterday, George urged that I consider working on Saturday. I hedged, said I might if it was rainy, which was the forecast at that point.

Saturday, December 1, 1984 - 8:41 AM

Ran into Sharol at the laundromat last evening. She said they've been going up to their property near Clear Lake a lot recently, might fly today at Goat Rock.

Sunday, December 2, 1984 - 8:48 PM

Allan drove all the way to Elk, but no one else showed up, so he didn't get to fly. He said it would have been perfect.

I called the Coast Guard around 12:30, but they said it was calm, no wind, so I didn't take off early to go to Goat Rock.

Allan called this morning, but it was obvious that it wasn't a flying day. He invited me down for the afternoon and a spaghetti dinner, but I declined, said I had a lot I wanted to do.

Friday, December 7, 1984 - 7:45 AM

Yesterday I went to see Sherry, my travel agent, and finalized my flight plans, will pay for my ticket today. I still have to rent a car for New Zealand, and get a hotel room for the first night there. She also gave me a brochure on sports vacations in New Zealand, which told of some hang gliding locations there.

Making pretty good progress with things at work, but still have a lot to do.

Saturday, December 8, 1984 - 9:14 AM

Sunday, December 9, 1984 - 1:13 PM

Ivan came over before Allan arrived, and we all headed up, under increasingly cloudy skies. Rich wasn't home, but we found Roy at the landing area, and the four of us headed up in the Skytrooper.

Roy launched first, then Ivan. I was ready to go, but wanted to assist Allan, but he assured me he'd be alright alone, so I launched in my Comet, not one of my best, as I jumped on too soon, then ran a little more and got it flying.

Then I watched from above as Allan launched. Into his run, his Magic started folding up, and he collapsed into the bushes below. There was no movement for awhile and we got worried, but finally he got out, waved, assuring us that he was okay.

He told us later that he'd evidently put a clip in wrong, so that his crossbar wasn't securely fastened, and it let go into his run. We all felt lucky that it had happened right away, rather than a few seconds later, as he could have been killed or seriously injured. Anyway, he bent his keel, had an expensive lesson.

After awhile, I called him, told him I'd drop the car keys, made a few passes low over launch, and finally did, a good drop, which he saw.

So Ivan, Roy, and I flew for an hour and a half or more before heading out. It was soarable and smooth, but we only got to 4950' maximum (about a thousand feet above launch).

But the LZ was almost dead. I was high on my approach over the road, had to make an extra turn or two, but had a good landing, all in all.

After folding up our gliders, we all went for pizza. Another attractive waitress was there, and our eyes kept meeting. But I never made any moves.

On the way up, Allan was telling me that he and Donna are on the verge of splitting up again. And he kept telling me what a good person she is, and how much she likes me, as if he were trying to get us together, to let him get out of the marriage without feeling too guilty.

Unfortunately, I'm not attracted to her at all, though I'm flattered that she thinks so highly of me. He said she feels she won't be able to find anyone else if Allan leaves, a fear that I can relate to.

When I got home yesterday, I found a letter from Meredith, and after Allan and Donna left, I read it. It was cold, disappointing, another saying goodbye.

It was a big change from her last letter, in which she admitted some difficulty dealing with her emotions. Now she was back into a defensive, "I'm strong and healed, but you've got problems" stance. It made me angry for awhile, and kept me awake all night, but I finally decided to let her go nicely, expressing appreciation for the efforts she has made, even if we didn't get to a place of friendship.

I think I can let it go now. I've said all I've needed to say. She's obviously not able to deal with it anymore.

Tuesday, December 11, 1984 - 7:39 AM

Called Bones about Allan's glider. Also he got my new keel, will work on my glider. I'll take Allan's over at lunchtime.

Wednesday, December 12, 1984 - 7:25 AM

Thursday, December 13, 1984 - 7:38 AM

Friday, December 14, 1984 - 7:44 AM

Saturday, December 15, 1984 - 4:45 PM

I was at the Sonoma Wings Christmas party at the Dennys' until 12:30 last night, so that's part of the reason I was so tired.

At the party were Tom and Lin Denny, Jon, Nancy, and Ethan James, Bones and Sharol Strickland, Ernie Camacho and Kindy and their 4 month old girl, Henry and Nancy Sieck, Allan and Donna Barr, Don and Marty Piercy, Brian Scharp and Pam, Rich Sauer, Eric Beckman, Bill Vogel, John Blacet, Duane Taylor, Ivan and Patti Wick, and others.

Duane gave me some slides he'd taken of me flying my new glider at Goat Rock. Jon gave a few people some model hang gliders he'd made. I showed Don my new Isuzu Trooper, and told various people about my upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Eric has a new Pro Dawn, hopes to fly more often this year. Patti talked a little about her job as a teaching assistant, will go back to school for a credential.

Sharol started raising an issue about the logo on the membership cards, which Bill had reduced from a T-shirt. She was saying it wasn't the official logo. I said it was the de facto club logo, since we'd all been wearing it on our T-shirts for all these years.

It was a nice time, and there was lots of food left over.

Sunday, December 16, 1984 - 11:08 AM

Tom Hazelwood called this morning about flying. I told him I thought Elk might be snowed in, suggested Goat Rock, will call soon, and possibly go.

Monday, December 17, 1984 - 7:38 AM

So eventually I drove out to Goat Rock, but it wasn't soarable. Tom Hazelwood and Denise were there, also Brian, and John Blacet. I stayed about an hour, finally left, stopped at James' house on my way home and had a very nice visit. Felt their friendship.

James told me of a recent trip home to Atlanta, visiting with old friends. I told of my upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Came on home, went to Mel's to check on his cat, stayed to pet him for awhile. Mel's place is like a cave, dark and smelling of old tobacco smoke, with canoe and glider on the ceiling.

Sunday, December 23, 1984 - 9:59 AM

I'm about to head for Berkeley to pick up Cici.

Yesterday, I went out eventually, first to Mel's to take care of Stretch the cat, who was very glad to see me.

End of Volume 34b

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