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Volume 31:August 15, 1983 to October 10, 1983Monday, August 15, 1983 - 7:19 AMAnother new journal already. I finished the previous one in near record time, 240 pages in just over three months. This is attributable partly to my recently acquired habit of getting up early so that I have time to reflect and write every morning. It's also attributable to my obsession with Meredith, as well as my relationship with Carrie, and my active hang gliding life, so that I've had lots to write about.So let me review my life at this time. Meredith is still the predominant focus of my thoughts and feelings. I am obsessed with her, have the feeling that she was "the love of my life," but also that she's irretrievably lost to me, for reasons I'm still trying to understand. I wake up thinking about her, and my thoughts go to her whenever I take a break at work, or at any other time when I'm not focusing on something else. Carrie and I agreed not to see each other from now on, and I feel okay about that decision. I like her as a friend and as a person, but we weren't working well together, weren't meeting each other's needs. It was helpful to me to be able to experience my feelings toward her, because I was able to see some of the things in myself that Meredith was feeling towards me, i.e., blockage of feelings, feeling pushed away by demands, or fear of emotional confrontation. But I knew I wasn't meeting her needs, and wasn't really being fair to her, so I think it's for the best that we'll pull apart. On my trip to Hull this weekend, I felt glad to be alone, able to make my own decisions of what to do without having to consider someone else. It was a great simplification. So that's a positive thing. I think I got involved with someone new out of loneliness for Meredith, and I see now that I don't really need that, and now have a good opportunity to focus on my Self, and on my inner life, finding what is there for me to find. The person I miss is Meredith, and even she is more than likely a projection of an inner being, whom I can integrate. The book I'm reading, In Midlife, by Murray Stein, is helpful, gives me a perspective for this process, and gives it all meaning as part of an important transformation in my life. This is a feeling I've had all year, that I'm going through something important to which I should devote my full attention. Hang gliding is still an important part of my life, a soul activity, that I value, and I intend to go almost every weekend for the rest of the summer. Got to go to work now. Tuesday, August 16, 1983 - 7:06 AMLast evening after work I drove to Bones' to drop off the harness and helmet (that Carrie had used), then stopped to look at the Land Cruiser, getting to drive it this time. It has a rough spot in the engine, a miss, I think, and the back window hinge is rusting out, doesn't work properly. Otherwise it wasn't bad, however. But it would take a lot of work by someone.Then I picked up Mary, and we went to K-Mart, where I bought a new Canon Sure-Shot for $116 this time. Then to her house, where she invited me for dinner. We took a trip to Safeway for some shopping before dinner was ready. Took a few pictures of Mary with the new camera while she was cooking, etc. Left around 8:20, came home. Watched a little TV, then read a little more in In Midlife. |
Wednesday, August 17, 1983 - 7:12 AMMel called and talked for almost an hour. He's been going through some troubling times. Now his washing machines were broken into and seriously damaged, though the thieves never got the money. He suspects the same people who broke into the cars and trucks, some seedy types who recently moved into the apartment and hang out late at night.He's sick of his job as manager, but would like to drop that and continue to do maintenance, maybe on some additional apartments also. Also his doctor says he has "nervous" problems, is under too much stress, also recommended running. And we talked about his smoking, how difficult it is for him to stop, as with his father and grandfather. I tried to be helpful, but felt inadequate as a counselor. Suggested he start taking Stress-B vitamins, also look for what seems most meaningful in a new vocational direction. He likes to repair things, that's his forte. I also suggested he "restore" his own body, since he takes such good care of his other "machines," yet neglects his body. He admitted to a self-destructive attitude. Also Mary called, wants me to feed Whiskers while they're gone on their honeymoon trip to Hawaii. I said sure. Read some more in In Midlife, about the trip to Hades, Odysseus' meeting with Tieresias, the blind seer, his "wise old man," and his having to make amends to Helios (cultural consciousness) and Poseidon, the Earthshaker, symbol of emotional experience, whose son he blinded (the Cyclops). Had to take his oar (symbol of knowledge of the sea) to a land where people had never heard of the sea. Anyway, it's very interesting and thought provoking. 6 PMFinished reading In Midlife for the first time through, but now I want to reread, underlining and learning its lessons. Hermes is also in the meetings of journeyers, when there is intent rapport and visions of soul meetings, as when Meredith and I "met" on that trip home from Elk. But also when she met Ed, her "ideal companion" at Thanksgiving dinner, making me the victim of one of Hermes' tricks.In fact, Hermes may be her true god, as she is a journeyer, essentially floating free, though Apollo appears to take control of her from time to time. She's split between them. Bones came over to borrow the Blue Raven for their training session for tomorrow. Friday, August 19, 1983 - 7:05 AMWe had unusual thunderstorms last night, with rain, so it's damp out this morning and still clouded over. Hope it clears by tomorrow.Saturday, August 20, 1983 - 6:59 AMUp to go to Hull Mountain today. Ivan, whose truck is still not ready, will ride up with me. We had some more big loud thunderstorms last evening, which knocked out the power until about 9:30. It came on just as I was crawling into bed. So I stayed up awhile longer, reading In Midlife. |
Ivan Wick, Duane Taylor and his daughter, with the faithful Eagle Scout in the background at the Lake Pillsbury campground.
Jim Shaw, Wills Wing Demo Coodinator, with Bones Strickland behind him.
Don Piercy assesses the weather.
On top of Hull: from left; Dave Thor, Bones Strickland, Don Piercy, Sharol Strickland, Ivan Wick, and Charley Warren assessing conditions at Lower Launch.
A bit overdeveloped.
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Sunday, August 21, 1983 - 6:49 PMBack from a weekend at Hull Mountain, during which I got zero flights for three trips up the mountain. But in some ways it was a good weekend.Ivan and I got off by about 8:40 and cruised on up to Hull. We found Bones, Sharol, Jim Shaw, Dave Thor, Don Piercy and others at the campsite getting ready to go up. It was cloudy and overdeveloping, but we loaded gliders and headed on up. I was to fly the new Attack Duck 180, one of several gliders that Jim Shaw (of Wills Wing) had brought with him. We were above cloudbase at lower launch, so we set up there. The Attack Duck didn't really appeal to me because of its complexity and too many battens (31). Jim Shaw launched first, but didn't get up, headed on out to the campground. I was up next, waited for a cycle, but none came. It was crossing from the SE. I didn't like the conditions, thought it would get better, so backed up and waited. After a twenty minute lull, it started cycling up again. Don was going to launch, but before he could get there, a huge black cloud formed up wind and came towards us. Then it started to rain, so we all waited under our gliders. Soon there was lightning and thunder as well. Finally, in a break in the rain, we decided it wasn't going to get better again, as it was raining most of the way to the LZ, and Jim had said the Ducks didn't fly well in the rain. So we all broke down our gliders and headed down the hill. But we had a pleasant evening around the campfire after the rain stopped, and I was feeling happy to be there. Got my tent set up out on the reeds where I've been sleeping. Have a nice flat spot out there. Later in the evening around 8:30, Jim suggested a moonlight flight, as it had cleared up. I said okay, and so did Dave Thor. Duane came up to drive for us. But on top it was blowing 20 from the east. So we turned around and drove back down. It was after ten, so I took a walk to the outhouse, then out into the moonlit reeds in a low fog haze, thinking of Meredith, yet being content to be by myself, having an inner conversation with her. Walked on "home" to my tent and went to bed. This morning I got up at 7:20 or so and went running, further than usual, probably five miles; out the reeds to the point, back up to the north end of the airstrip around the hanger and out the grassy strip. Felt good. Then to Sunset for a swim, with the water even lower still. Breakfast, and loading gliders for the top, as it was getting cloudy, threatening to overdevelop early. The Scout was chosen as one of the vehicles, so I drove it up with four gliders. But near the top, we heard a sharp noise, then had an overheating engine. Investigations showed a leaking radiator. Some fins had broken off the alternator, fallen onto the fan and had been knocked into the radiator, causing two leaks, so I was losing coolant fast, despaired of making it home. So I decided not to fly, would drive the Scout down. Curt suggested that I could pull the radiator and make temporary repairs. So that's what I decided to do. But first I hung around on top, took some pictures, let it cool off. Then as the first gliders were launching, I started down. Made it okay, coasting with the engine off most of the way, getting somewhat hot over the uphill stretch, but then cooler after that, and filling it thoroughly at the spring. At the campground, Jim and Duane had just landed, and rain was imminent, so I put my tent and gear away first, then worked on the Scout. Got the radiator out, finally, and then Curt and I pulled the cooling fins clear from the broken spots, and cut, folded, and crimped them. We put the radiator back in, and it only leaked a few drops. So I was confident of making it home and felt a lot better. Said hi to Mike and Dallas who'd arrived awhile before. Soon Ivan and I loaded up our gear and gliders, and headed home. The radiator held fine, and we lost not a half pint of water. It didn't even appear to be leaking when we got home. So I felt okay about our repair job, a feeling of having gotten out of a tough spot competently, and was grateful again to Curt for his help and advice. Got home, went shopping, and wrote this. Monday, August 22, 1983 - 7:09 AMThis is going to be a busy week. Mary is getting married tomorrow, and the Sonoma Wings meeting is at Jon's house later. Have to get the Scout back in shape, new alternator anyway, may let the radiator ride.Went to K-Mart to get Mary and Dennis a color TV for their wedding present Friday evening, but they were out of stock on the RCA model I wanted to get them (on sale). So I may be late with it. |
Tuesday, August 30, 1983 - 7:05 AMHad a long and mutually supportive call with Carrie last night. I called her. She said she has sent me a letter. We talked of our lives and feelings in a frank and open way. We're getting to a better place.12:37 NoonToday's overcast with low heavy clouds, on the verge of raining all day.Saturday, September 3, 1983 - 7:18 AMUp to get ready to head for Hull Mountain. Looks like a beautiful clear day.Slept okay, but should have turned off my alarm. Now to get ready. Also talked to Ivan. He finally got his truck back. Monday, September 5, 1983 - 8:25 AM - Labor DayCame back last night after two days at Hull Mountain. Wanted a day to rest up and be by myself rather than exhaust myself for another day. Today's starting sunny and probably warm.Had some good flying, also some news of Meredith, from Dallas and Hank. Dallas said that Meredith told her to tell me that she would write me a letter. They'd gone out for "drinks." Also she said that Meredith had been very busy with work recently. As Hank was about to launch yesterday, I asked him about Meredith. He said he hadn't seen her recently, but that she'd called last week, was "worried about" me in response to a card I'd sent her. I told him that I was still obsessed with her, and had to stop seeing Carrie. Told him I just wanted to be her friend, was hurt by the chasm between us. So at least I know I have a letter to look forward to, wonder what she'll say. Wonder if her feelings toward me have mellowed out at all. Now back to the weekend. Left around 8:30 Saturday morning, arriving around eleven. Ivan had just arrived, and Len and his girlfriend Anita from Reno were there, so the four of us drove up in Ivan's truck. Nancy James was in the campground. Jon, Hank, and others had already gone up, also Roy, Stretch, and Anne. But when we got to the top, no one had even removed their glider from the truck, as it was blowing lightly from the back. So, being eager to fly, I took my glider to the first in line spot and started setting up. It got very dead for awhile, but with very light cycles occasionally up the propane tank launch. So I got ready to launch, and took the first light cycle, running hard, and getting a good launch. Ran into a thermal in the east bowl, so started turning in it and soon circled over the top to everyone's delight, getting to about 7500' all by myself for a half hour or so, while Roy waited on launch for another cycle. The upper winds and thermal drift were from the NE, and evidently conditions got worse at launch. So I flew around overhead, watching 20 other gliders waiting on launch, lined up down around the back road to the east, and at the Rockpile as well. Finally I sank down to lookout level, made a pass across launch and around the west side, and got drilled by the rotor, sank out in turbulence all the way down past lower launch, until I could finally cross the ridge again at Timberline. Finally Roy got launched, with others to follow. I thermalled in marginal lift near Timberline and Red Spot, eventually had to head down to the House, with Roy above me. There I scratched at around 4600' in light stuff, until one thermal developed which took me to 6700', and I headed back up Boardman Ridge to Red Spot for more, and Timberline, where I lost it and had to go back out looking for more. Finally headed on out to the campground. Had to set up over the lake, as the wind in the LZ had switched to NW, but I had a good landing, and the best flight of the day, of two hours. Many never got up, just got flushed down the mountain, though some who launched later, after three or four, got good flights, such as Jon James. It was a nice evening at the campground. Stretch, Anne, Roy, and even Joe Baltz, up from Santa Barbara, were there. A few of us took a drive in Roy's truck to the north of Sunset to go swimming in the lake first, which was refreshing. Cooked my steak for dinner and had salad too. A long walk before going to bed. Slept okay, awakened early and went running, my usual course of five miles or so. Then breakfast. Joe and others went up early for a morning flight. I waited awhile, then went up with Ivan, Anita, and Len in his Jeep around ten. There were already a lot of gliders on top and a light easterly wind. Decided to try the east launch where the Napa gang were setting up, since the top was already stacked up. A few people, including Hank, who had launched before noon, were getting very high, so I was eager to get launched, figured the only problem was getting into the air. Ken had been standing at launch about a half hour, so I said, "Shit or get off the pot," when I was ready to launch. So he did launch, but didn't find anything, was down to lower launch, then out to Red Spot. I launched next, also didn't find anything, crossed the ridge at Lower Launch, then to Timberline, where I joined Stretch and Anne, scratching in light stuff. Scratched down the first ridge, was at treetop level for awhile, slowly getting flushed down. Finally over the first knob, I got a light thermal, gained 200 feet or so, but it petered out, so I went to the lower knob, found another marginal one, where I maintained until Stretch joined me, then we both headed out. Anne was on the ground, by the road, and we just barely made it past her to the campground, where I did another good landing, though past the spot, in almost no wind, but flared hard, didn't drop it. But I'd had only a half hour, so folded up to go up again for another trip. More later. 11:56 NoonBack again after a busy morning. Decided to ride my new bike to the library to return my due books, but found the back wheel was out of line, so spent about a half hour adjusting the spokes, then rode to the library, which was closed as expected, so dropped the books in the chute. Then I rode past Mary's, but she's not home. I guess they're still in Tahoe.So now to get back to my weekend before settling down to some reading and odd jobs. Back to Hull on Sunday, where I got a ride up for a second flight on Roy's truck with Stretch, Anne, and Roy. Anita nicely consented to drive for us again, as there was no sign of Len yet, who'd launched right after me. We set up at the Rockpile, as it was beginning to cycle up there. A few gliders were high above, but no one else was getting up. Anne and Roy launched, and scratched down the mountain, as did Mike from the Ramp, and a couple of others. But Stretch, who launched right before me, worked the west bowl and got up. So I launched right behind him, did a couple of passes through the bowl, and also circled up above the lookout, getting to about 7500' or so. Stretch managed to get up to about 8500'. I stayed up there about 20 minutes 'til I was finally flushed, and joined Stretch down at Red Spot pretty low. He worked the first ridge, while I headed over toward the House, hoping for a convergence. But I didn't find much there, went out to the lower knoll, then out toward the campground. Found slight lift east of the LZ, but couldn't stay with it, so set up a landing into a NW wind and did another good one, in turbulence from the trees, my third good landing of the weekend. Decided to head home after all, rather than stay another day (Labor Day), as I was quite tired, wanted a day to rest up before going back to work. So I packed up my tent and gear and got ready to leave. Ivan, as well as Hank and Lisa (a lady he'd brought up) also had decided to go home, and Jon and Nancy had left in the morning. Stretch had mentioned going to Indian Valley next weekend, and since I have another three day weekend (Friday is California Admission Day, a state holiday), I asked about it, and they encouraged me to come along. Hank also expressed interest, and they said that James wants to go too. So we'll get in touch later in the week to finalize plans. We'll leave Thursday night, drive 'til late (6 hours or so) and meet them in Taylorsville. Said goodbye. Hank, Lisa, and I decided to stop for a swim in the Eel River, which we did, having to wear swim suits for a change, as there were little girls there. It was very refreshing. Then I cruised on home by nine, and went to bed soon. Wanted to sleep late, but was wide awake by 6:30 AM. 2:13 PMIt's a very hot day. I've just been working on bicycles, fixing the flat, putting the wheel back on Penny's old bike, so now all three bikes are in working order.Tuesday, September 6, 1983 - 7 AMThis will be a very short week, just three working days, then leaving the day after tomorrow (evening) for Indian Valley for another three day weekend of flying.Wednesday, September 7, 1983 - 7 AMFeeling groggy and somewhat scattered this foggy cool morning.Mel stopped by and visited last night for about an hour. We told each other of our current plights. He's still down on his job (apartment manager), is thinking of leaving Santa Rosa for the country again, to start something new, but doesn't know what to do. He also borrowed my movie camera to film a loop in his Fledge. Didn't sleep too well, am less than alert today, somewhat groggy, dazed. Also, last night Hank called, will be going to Indian Valley. I called James, and he wants to go also. So the three of us will presumably go in the Scout. It'll be a bit crowded, with all our camping and flying gear. 7:38 PMThis evening I went to dinner at Mary and Dennis's, had a nice dinner.Also called Stretch earlier about plans for tomorrow. We'll be meeting them at a hot spring near Twain. Thursday, September 8, 1983 - 7:01 AMLast night before bed, Mel called, also wanted to go to Indian Valley, so I told him our arrangements, where we'll meet. |
Monday, September 12, 1983 - 7:02 AMI had a good weekend up at Indian Valley with James, Hank, Stretch, Anne, and Roy, at Bill Battagin's (also Rich Sauer on Sunday and Monday).Had good flights at Keddie Ridge on Friday and Saturday, and a nice sled ride from Mt. Hough on Sunday morning, and I'll get into that more soon. Got home with James and Hank around nine last night. Found the letter from Meredith in the box. Waited until Hank and James had left before reading it. It's not a total rejection. There is some care there. But there's still the distancing, the unwillingness to be my friend, share of herself with me, and I feel "ditched," abandoned, by her. I guess I should just leave it be, 'til Christmas, but I also want to write her a long letter, try to clear up the things which still stand between us. 12:14 NoonMeredith on my mind all morning.But now I want to review the weekend at Indian Valley. Hank and James both arrived by 5:30 on Thursday evening, so we got all our gliders and gear packed and were off in the Scout by 6 PM. We had a good drive up, but missed a turn a couple of times, delaying us slightly, but we eventually arrived at the appointed meeting place, a hot springs near Twain, where we found Mel and Lynne, as well as Stretch, Anne, and Roy, who'd arrived a little while before. We relaxed in the hot spring for awhile, then headed to Bill's house, near Taylorsville, where we crashed out on the deck, and I very comfortably under a teepee frame in the yard. Bill has a very nice simple house with loft that he built himself, plus greenhouse, woodshed, outdoor cooking area, a nice garden and yard. And he was a great host while we were there, a very likable man, with long dark hair and beard, who builds stoves for a living. We got up in the morning, cooked up a big breakfast of eggs, and eventually headed for Keddie Ridge in three vehicles (Roy's, Mel's, and my Scout). On top, there was a short hike to the launch area, and we spent an hour or so digging out rocks and roots, working on the ramp, etc., while waiting for conditions to develop, which eventually did. We all set up except Mel, who wasn't really happy with the launch with just Lynne to assist. |
Stretch prepares to launch from Keddie Ridge. Anne on nose, Roy's back, Bill standing, James across.
Stretch launches over Indian Valley.
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So I was last to launch at about 3:35, was able to turn in a thermal out front and climb above launch, while others who'd launched earlier (Hank, James, and Roy) were scratching below. But everyone managed to get over the top eventually, and some headed NW up the ridge, first crossing a gap, then working up a higher part of the ridge. I was across the ridge a lot, but couldn't make progress beyond there, so kept coming back to the dependable lift in front of launch, while Stretch and Roy managed to go far up the ridge to "the Burn." Finally everyone landed except Anne and me, and we scratched along the launch area as the thermals died out, and I eventually followed her out and landed after 2 hours and 40 minutes. Had a very good landing in no wind conditions, as I did on all my flights, which pleased me. Mel and Lynne disappeared, exploring by themselves, and we didn't see them until the next day on Keddie. We all headed home, stopping at the store, but we never managed to have dinner, as we sat around 'til late eating snacks and getting wasted in the living room 'til after nine, when we decided to go to bed. Had another good night's sleep in the teepee, very comfortable on a mattress that was there, plus my own foam rubber pads. On Saturday we got up, had French toast, and went to Keddie Ridge again. Bill had called around, and this seemed to be the best place to fly. Mel was there when we got there. Rich Sauer had also arrived on Saturday morning, so we left his truck at the LZ, plus Bill's, as Bill had to leave early to attend a wedding. We started launching earlier. I got off after Stretch, Bill, Mel, and Hank, scratched for awhile down by the road, not sure I'd get up for awhile, but I finally got a thermal near Mel and soon got above the top of the ridge. Was up with Rich Sauer for awhile, but he got higher, whereas Stretch never got to 7000' all day. I got to 8000' or so. Headed across the gap with Rich, Roy, and James, who was lower, but watched Roy sinking ahead of me, so turned back to thermal near James. Roy and Rich eventually made it up there and got much higher, but I had to head back low with James, but he was lower, never found anything and had to land early, while I got back to the road, found a thermal and got up again. Finally, after hanging around the top and not getting over 6500' thereafter, I headed out high, and made another good landing, having to drag my feet to slow down, then flare hard before the fence, stopping dead on my feet, 20 feet short of it. We went back to Bill's for some spaghetti dinner that Hank, James, and I bought, and James cooked. Afterwards, there was to be a Star Show on Mt. Hough, which, at first, people weren't enthusiastic about, but suddenly everyone decided that we'd go, taking sleeping gear and gliders to fly off in the morning, which we did. It was a long drive up, and we were surprised at how many people had come up, over a dozen cars and trucks. We weren't really into the Star Show, so found a fairly level area and made our sleeping area. I wasn't so comfortable that night, was awake a long time, slightly on a hill, also too warm, and there was a dog at the lookout that barked much of the night. Back to work now, I'll finish later. 4:39 PMIt's like an oven outside today, well over 100, I imagine. Fortunately, the house stayed a little cooler.Getting back to the weekend, we got up just after sunrise on Mt. Hough on Sunday morning, but the wind was already blowing the wrong direction, so we couldn't fly from the top (across a small lake), so after a visit with the lookout lady, we headed down to the lower launch, which Bill felt would be launchable. But there was a long carry of half a mile or so, so a few people chose not to bother for a "sled ride." But I decided I would, and with Bill, Stretch, and Roy, carried in, set up, and prepared to launch in no-wind conditions. But it was a steep rounded slope, so was easy to do. I launched right behind Roy, and we flew along the sheer rocky crags together, a little behind Stretch, and ahead of Bill. It was a pretty 15 minute flight, and again I made a very good landing in a field by the road. We were packed up and ready to go when the trucks came down at about 9:20, then back to Bill's place for a breakfast of pancakes. I wanted to get home at a decent hour, so told everyone I wanted to leave by three. So to expedite things, I volunteered not to fly, but to drive Roy's truck down, and made sure Hank and James got to launch first. We went up Keddie Ridge for the third time, rather than Rock Ridge, because it was closer. But conditions were light for a long time. And when Hank finally did launch, he couldn't stay up. And the same with James at about two. So I drove down before the others had launched, helped Hank and James load up our gear on the Scout, and we were on the road home by three, talking to the others by radio, who were now above the mountain. They were having a good day, and Hank was somewhat disappointed. It was a hot drive. We stopped by the Feather River above Oroville for a nice swim in the icy water, which was quite refreshing, then continued on home, getting here by 9 PM. So today I wasn't too exhausted, only slightly depressed over the Meredith situation. 6:02 PMSince I've been thinking about it, I've realized that it hurts so because this relationship seemed so special, so filled with potential, so pregnant with possibilities, as well as a rich, happy present, whereas Meredith saw no future, only a hint of "future unhappiness."I saw how she has an ideal she tries to find, but is disappointed by that, and is really happier - as with me - when the person doesn't fit the ideal. I flashed on the parallel with Mary, that with her, in the beginning, I didn't see an ideal, felt we were too different in terms of class and background, yet with her, I've found the best friend and most loving person. It seems that when you allow yourself to be open to possibilities, rather than preconceived notions, there's a better chance for happiness, as Meredith was able to do for awhile with me and was very happy. I was also reflecting on the idea that she has become a different person, and how much that hurts, how I keep reaching for the Meredith that used to be, but no longer is. Mel just called. We talked about the weekend, and his explorations. Now I'm very tired, will go to bed soon. But it may be too hot to sleep. Thursday, September 15, 1983 - 6:02 PMWent shopping this evening, called Patti (Ivan wasn't home), and they'll be at Hull this weekend. Patti said Hank had called too, and will be there. Also talked to Bones yesterday, and they'll be there, Curt too, probably. So it should be a nice weekend.Saturday, September 17, 1983 - 7:21 AMUp and getting my gear together for Hull Mountain. |
Monday, September 19, 1983 - 7 AMI'm a year older since I last wrote, 46 now, my "late forties." I don't feel that old and am blessed with a much younger body as well as attitude.Had a wonderful weekend at Hull, in spite of some car problems getting there, had three flights, including my first moonlight flight on Saturday night, with Stretch and Roy (Anne didn't fly). Then there was a nice birthday party, with cake and card Sunday afternoon, and I was very much touched by the care and love expressed by my friends. On Saturday morning I'd loaded the Scout and started off. But the engine wasn't running smoothly, was missing, like it had been when coming home from Indian Valley. I'd been so sure that the coil was the problem that I hadn't bothered to test drive it. Stopped along the freeway to check it. Duane stopped to see what was wrong. Decided to get off at the next exit, take it home and try to adjust it. But after a half hour or so, with little if any improvement, I gave up, decided to take Hummer (my faithful old '73 Toyota Corona). So I rigged up the old front rack, loaded the glider and gear, and was off by about 10:15. Got to the campground, and was pleased to find Don and Marty (with an extra glider slot on their truck), Bones and Sharol, and Duane. Ivan and Patti had already gone up, as had Stretch, Anne, Roy, Tom and Lin Denny. So we soon headed up also. It was a clear blue sky day, and on top there was a west wind, so the Ramp and Rockpile were launchable. I launched first from the Rockpile, though Stretch and Anne, Roy, and Ivan were already up. I worked the west bowl, and after a few passes in front, got over the top, but not by much. The others were getting flushed out to Red Spot. Soon everyone got launched, and we flew around looking for thermals, some in the west bowl. Once I got to 7500' and over the top, so headed to Windy Ridge, where Stretch was getting to 9000' and over. Got there with 7000' and found a thermal, getting up to 8900', my high for the day. Stretch had headed out toward Sanhedrin, then out to the landing area, after going to the Dam. I hung out high over Windy Ridge, finally left with 8200', flew almost down to the Dam, before coming back and landing, after a little over two hours. My landing wasn't as good as usual. Going for the spot, I was 5 feet short and didn't get my feet under me, so came down on my belly. Had dinner of salad and steak, then a few of us decided to do a moonlight flight; Stretch, Anne, Roy, and I. Conditions were fine at lower launch, so we set up, except for Anne. Actually, it was light to dead at the NW dive-off launch, and dead to downwind on the SW slope, which is where we eventually decided to launch. I was ready, thought it steep enough, so volunteered to go first. Had a good hard run in 1 - 2 MPH down, and got off cleanly and easily. Stretch and Roy followed a few minutes later. I could see well, all the familiar terrain below in the bright moonlight. Headed out over the canyon, over the lower knoll, and over the campground with 3500' of altitude, so went on out over the lake a ways before coming back to set up a landing. I could see my moon shadow on the ground, which helped to judge altitude, and circled down far out over the reeds, wanting to give myself a long glide towards the camp, free of stumps and other obstacles. So I came in, let my feet drag until they touched the ground, then flared, but not hard enough to keep my nose from dropping, still a good landing. Stretch and Roy landed closer to the camp. Then we folded up our gliders, feeling high from the flight. I took a walk in the moonlight before going to bed by midnight. Up in the morning by 7:30, after a pretty good sleep, and did my usual five mile run, then breakfast. Headed up the mountain pretty early on Sunday with Stretch, Anne, Roy, Ivan, and Patti, and when we got to the top, we explored Windy Ridge for launching and landing possibilities, before going up to the Lookout. There it was blowing from the NW, launchable from only the NW slot at the Rockpile it seemed, so I decided to set up and get off while we still could. More later. 12:18 NoonContinuing...While I set up at the Rockpile, the others went down to lower launch. Bones, Sharol, and Don stayed up to watch me, and I was soon ready. It was perfectly launchable at the NW slot, and I hoped to get up enough to get some lift from the north side, but didn't find any all the way north to the gap, so turned around and crossed the bowl low and flew down past lower launch, where only Stretch had launched. Couldn't get up there, so flew on past Timberline, then out the first ridge, circling here and there in marginal lift. Finally turned out towards the campground, crossing both knolls, and seeing Stretch circling near the campground. Came out higher than him at about 3500' and looked for a convergence over Sunset. Found only marginal lift, while watching Stretch land after awhile of flying together. Got down to 3100' (1100' over the LZ), when I did find a light thermal, and eventually worked it up to 4300'. Finally slipped on down, had to set up a landing. Overshot the spot, as there was heat lifting off, but had a good flare and landing. Had a 50 minute flight, the longest of the day. Conditions got worse, so no one else was able to launch from the top, and only Roy and Anne from lower launch. The rest drove down. Finally, when the others got back down, they surprised me with an impromptu birthday party, with cake and a card. I was touched, said some sentimental things, then cut the cake, and we all had some. Everyone expressed lots of warmth to me, gave me hugs, and I felt loved. Finally a few of us headed for the Eel River. I led them down to the spot I usually stop, and it was very nice. Roy, Stretch, and Anne came, and eventually Mel and Lynne. Mel was pretty ripped, nearly got his van stuck in the rocks. After skinny dipping for quite awhile (the water was perfect), and laying on the beach, we got dressed and left, and all of us drove to Burger King for their salad bar, where we filled up with salad. Then we said our good-byes and headed on home. Anne will stop by at noon tomorrow, to get some money ($400) which I volunteered to front them for another round of T-shirt making. Then they'll go to Berkeley, get the T-shirts, may stay with Hank a few days while they try to sell their little Honda car. Thursday, September 22, 1983 - 7:02 PMThis evening I ran 3 miles, with a walk after six laps, my first afternoon run in a few weeks. Then took a bath and had dinner.Called Sharol, then Ivan and Patti, then Anne at Hank's house, mostly to see what people are doing this weekend, and when the meeting is. Anne said she's gotten a lot of interest in the Honda, hopes to sell it tomorrow. Friday, September 23, 1983 - 7:01 AMIt's still overcast this morning, but is supposed to clear up.5:46 PMFriday night. Called Mel to see what he's doing this weekend, and he's considering Usal. |
Sunday, September 25, 1983 - 5:24 PMPacked my gear on Saturday morning and headed for Hull. Called Sharol first, but they were going to Elk, as was Jon. So I started the Scout to leave, but found the missing was back intermittently, so I replaced that spark plug wire (had a few spares) and it was fine.Then I left, but came back again after getting to Airport Road, worrying that I'd left the front door standing open. But I hadn't, so set out again by 9:30. Arrived at Hull to find our campsite deserted, except for Susan Grey, who'd been there alone on Friday also. Looking up at the mountain we decided that the clouds were coming from the back side pretty fast so we probably couldn't fly, at least not there, and we should probably go to Elk instead. Soon Jon Blacet showed up, and the three of us caravanned over to Elk, where in the campground we unloaded my gear at a campsite, loaded their gliders, plus another glider belonging to a guy named Everett (from Garberville). And soon we headed up. Sharol and Bones, Roy, Jon, and others had launched and were up. When we got to the top, the south launch had gone dead, with Duane waiting to launch, and it was starting to shift to the NW. So we drove down to the point, along with Larry (with a Shadow), Jerry Sorensen (with a Duck), and another guy with a Phoenix. But I was the only one to set up, as the north valley was clouded over from big cumi's overdeveloping overhead, and not much was happening. I wanted to be ready when the sun got clear of the clouds again. And, sure enough, it soon did. Everyone else had long since landed, and Duane had folded up his glider and driven down. I waited for 15 minutes or so, as light cycles started coming up, wanted to let it heat up a bit. Soon I launched in one, and turned left around the point. John called me by radio, when a good thermal came through launch, and I flew around there and made some passes getting higher still. Some of the others began setting up. After ten minutes or so of struggling just a couple of hundred feet above the ridge, I got a good thermal, circled up, it became stronger, and soon I was up to 5000', 6000', and finally 7100', just below cloudbase, alone in the sky. Soon others began launching. Larry got part way up, Jerry got flushed down the mountain, as did Susan. John decided not to fly. After awhile, I lost my lift and soon was down to the level of the point again, thought I was flushed out, when over one of the lower ridges I got a light thermal, and through painstaking thermalling, got back above the point, and eventually got one to 6500' and cloudbase again. Finally I headed out to land after an hour and a half, the flight of the day, and made a decent landing in shifty conditions, though I flared high, let my nose drop, but no damage. Felt good about the flight. In the evening we made a fire, I set up my tent, and we cooked our dinners (John, Susan, and I). Bones and Sharol had gone down the creek about a mile to get away from the noise, which was a good idea, as I was kept awake until midnight or so by some loudmouths across the campground. Talked to John and Susan about relationships again for awhile after dinner. Took a walk up the creek, then went to bed around 9:30, but didn't sleep all night. Again my thoughts were locked onto Meredith, and I wrote imaginary letters to her all night long. Finally morning came with me never having gotten to sleep. I got up at 7:30 and went for a run, probably about three miles or so. Felt better after that. Had been debating not flying, just going on home, but decided to stay after all. Had breakfast with Susan and John, then put away my tent and gear. Eventually Roy and Mike Kunitani both showed up with their 4WD vehicles, and Bones and Sharol arrived back at the camp also. We loaded gliders on Roy's and Mike's vehicles, and headed up the mountain around ten, as cumi's were starting to form. On top it was cycling up from the SE, so we started to set up. Roy launched first at 11:30, made some passes in front, getting lower down beyond the point. I launched next at 11:50, turned left, was able to soar the face, getting 50' over for a few passes, then headed down to the point, as Roy was gaining below it. I came over the point, got up higher, then headed back over launch 300' over, finally getting a good thermal, and climbing on up to cloudbase eventually at 7500'. Roy soon joined me, and we climbed out back near Horse Mountain. I got into the clouds to 7900' for my highest of the day, and Mike was soon up near us also. Stretch and Anne arrived as we were above them. Stretch had asked on the radio if they could bring up the Scout, but I said I'd rather not, as I hoped to leave early. So they'd driven their bus up the hill until just before the steep gorge, and launched from there (with Rich Sauer also, whose truck is out of commission). We talked on the radio when they got up. After awhile it got harder to stay up, and soon, after being at cloudbase, I was back over the ridge with several other gliders in punchy lift, not going up much. After scratching around there for an hour or so, several people went out to land, and I eventually did too, after a two hour flight. Made a good setup, but got popped over the spot, had to pull in then flared high, came down okay, no damage. Another exceptional flight. Soon I packed up and said my good-byes, hugging Sharol and Susan (who'd given me a hug earlier). I've been watching 60 Minutes as I write this, and soon I'm going to take a bath, go to bed early, as I'm very tired. Wednesday, September 28, 1983 - 4:07 PMSpent my afternoon having the shock absorber connection welded by Chuck, a 66 year old mechanic and pilot, who welded the same piece two or three years ago. I drove the Scout to his garage, but it was empty, with a phone number on the door, so I called him, and he directed me to his home shop, where he soon, after first telling me about his dogs, got started, jacking up the Scout, removing the U-bolts and broken base, welding it together, putting it back, all the time telling me stories about his flying.He'd been a bombardier in a B-24 after washing out of pilots training, but resolved to fly after the war, but didn't get around to it until age 58, when he got his license, and he told me many stories of his training, his solo flights, cross country, predicaments, etc., in great detail. The job took almost two hours, and he told stories nonstop, and did a nice job on the part. He's a nice old guy. I told him about Eric, the 80 year old hang glider pilot, and also some hang gliding stories. Saturday, October 1, 1983 - 9:23 AMThe sun is coming through after some morning fog, but there are high clouds. With yesterday's rainy overcast weather, I'd given up on flying today, perhaps prematurely. But a quiet day to myself wouldn't be a bad thing.I'm also thinking of running in tomorrow morning's Harvest Fair 10K, even though I'm not in as good condition as I was a few months ago. Sunday, October 2, 1983 - 7:19 AMSlept hardly at all last night. Up today to run in the Harvest Fair 10K at 9 AM. Today is grey, foggy, dark when the alarm went off (6:35). Winter is fast approaching.Yesterday I rented a hedge trimmer and trimmed back the shrubbery front and back, especially the briar bushes (blackberries) overrunning the back yard. Good hard work for awhile, a feeling of accomplishment. But still piles of cuttings to get rid of. Mary called a couple of times. Once when I was napping later. She apologized for waking me, but I told her it's worth it to hear her voice. She's such a good friend to me, my only really close friend these days, or so it seems. Later she invited me to dinner, but I'd already started cooking mine, so declined. May see her this evening. |