Volume 32

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October 1983

Volume 32:

October 11, 1983 to February 12, 1984

Tuesday, October 11, 1983 - 7:07 AM

Another new journal already. The previous one was filled in record time, less than two months.

Hang gliding season winds down. Had a nice flight on Saturday at Elk Mountain with Bones, Sharol, and Duane, after finding Hull "blown out." Winter is approaching.

Thursday, October 13, 1983 - 9:45 PM

Got a call from Mel. He was concerned that I was upset with him last Saturday, when he didn't come by the campground, where I was waiting.

I told him it was okay. He wants to go to Hull Mountain this weekend also, weather permitting.

Saturday, October 15, 1983 - 7:29 AM

Up getting ready to go to Hull, on a chilly but clear morning. Yesterday morning marked a change in the weather, with me wearing my down jacket on my bike ride to work for the first time.

Spent a quiet evening at home last night. Talked to a bunch of people by phone, including Bones, Ivan, James, Hank, Mike Mahoney, and we're all planning a last weekend at Hull. Bones got his new "Attack Duck." James will ride up with me.

Monday, October 17, 1983 - 7:03 AM

Had a fabulous weekend at Hull Mountain, most unexpected and delightful for the time of year. Great flying and a great bunch of people.

James rode up with me. Also there were Bones and Sharol, Don and Marty, Stretch and Anne, Roy, Mike Kunitani, Hank, and a friend of his named Stephanie.

We all rode up in Mike's and Don's vehicles, found good conditions on top, a west component making it launchable from the Ramp and the Rockpile.

Saturday was to be my 400th flight overall, and Sunday would be my 100th flight at Hull Mountain, so I was celebrating, in a good frame of mind. I set up at the top. Watched Stretch launch first at the Rockpile, and not get up, instead he scratched down past lower launch.

So, with no one else being eager after that, I got ready to launch at the Ramp, while Anne was on launch at the Rockpile. She let a cycle go by, so I launched (at 1:47), flew over that way, made some passes there, not finding much, so had to head out to lower launch.

Scratched there, just maintaining, until getting a thermal that got me up a little. And I had to scratch for almost an hour before getting anything to take me over the top, then I had just a couple of passes over the top, and then out again, looking for more thermals.

After a couple of hours, most people had headed out, but Mel and Ernie were now on top setting up, so I stayed up, buzzing the top when I could, managing to get a few hundred feet over at times, to a maximum of 7700', and 7600' a few times.

By the time they launched, I had almost three hours, so decided, after they'd both headed out, to stay up for four hours if I could, in celebration of flight number 400.

Ernie and I thermalled together, but then he missed one, had to head out, while I made it back over the top. By now, the shadows were getting longer, and the thermals lighter, and it was going to be a challenge. With half an hour to go, I was down at lower launch, soaring light lift there for as long as I could maintain, then low over Red Spot, not finding much.

Then I was in zero sink down over the lower ridge, and finally out over the campground with 3700'. So I flew some big circles to maximize my time, finally made a very good set up and a fine landing, right past the spot, and had a good flare, for four hours and five minutes. Felt very good, and got many congratulations.

An unfortunate incident, though, was that Mel, in trying to film a loop in his Fledge, had lost my movie camera when the mounting bracket broke from the force, and he didn't have it safetied (which surprised me). It didn't bother me all that much, except for feeling bad for Mel, who couldn't really afford such a loss.

In the evening, Eric, as well as Denise, and her new friend, Tom, arrived.

Got my tent set up, cooked dinner, and had some salad, and had a nice evening around the campfire, before going to bed after nine.

Didn't sleep very well, though I was comfortable. It was foggy in the morning, so I stayed in bed 'til 8:20, then got up and went for my run of four miles. People were up starting a fire when I got back.

Mike Mahoney arrived, as did Larry Smith, also. I got a new T-shirt from Stretch and Anne. And they repaid me the $400 I'd loaned them. They're in the money for now, which is nice, having sold the Honda, and both working for a friend of theirs. They gave me the T-shirt as "interest."

Eventually we headed to the top, in Mike Kunitani's and Roy's vehicles. I set up at the Ramp again. On top already and set up, were Denise and Tom.

Eric is a little upset that Denise has found a new boyfriend, Tom. So they have sort of a menage a trois now. Eric didn't have enough time to spend with Denise. They'd talked about an open relationship, but Denise had resisted that, until meeting Tom, then said okay.

Tom launched first, was soon scratching near lower launch. I was ready, so got to launch next, at 12:35.

Had a good launch, turned right again, but didn't find much over there, was soon at lower launch scratching with Tom awhile, and later at Red Spot, scratching with him also, as others got launched. We weren't finding much there, but could maintain, get up a couple of hundred feet, drifting back to the east.

Finally, after getting a pretty good thermal, I headed back to the bowl at lower launch, where I scratched low again, and with Stretch, found a thermal that took us up over lower launch and even with the top. From there I made a pass back over the top (just barely) where I saw some people filming us from on top of a camper.

Turned out they were from a Ukiah TV station. He almost fell off the camper as I flew toward them, then made a soaring pass over the top, before having to leave for lower launch again.

Then I made some passes over toward Windy Gap, but down by the road. I followed Stretch that way, and he found some lift over there, so I headed on across also, and found some marginal lift, before finding the big vacuum cleaner, which yanked us up, soon to cloudbase, over 8000'.

James and Mike soon came over too, and we were getting to 8300' to 8600' into the clouds. Stretch and James headed across toward Mt. Sanhedrin, and I followed, but turned back half way as I'd lost the lift.

More later, got to go to work.

12:14 Noon - Continuing...

Home for lunch. Back to Sunday's flight:

I turned back to Windy Ridge, where Mike Kunitani was at cloudbase, and got back up myself. He headed over towards Mt. Sanhedrin, so when I got to cloudbase at 8700', I followed, partially whited out under a string of clouds for a half mile or more. So I was quite a bit higher than Mike by then.

Stretch was at cloudbase over the lookout at Mt. Sanhedrin, and James was lower heading south. I got to the lower ridges of Mt. Sanhedrin, but saw how far it was to the landing area, so headed down the ridge to where Mike was, lower than me, rather than up towards Stretch.

Found lift near James, NE of the tin roofed barn, where a ridge created a funnel, and got back to cloudbase there, with James below. Also, Don and Roy came over. Mike got too low, headed out the valley, barely made it to the airstrip, where he had to land.

Flew to meet Stretch at cloudbase, then flew with him down to the dam at the south end of the lake, where we turned back and came back over the campground. I went over the hills to the east, to try to extend my flight to three hours, but finally had to land at two hours and 58 minutes, for a seven hour weekend. Made another perfect landing, this time right on the spot, so I felt very good.

Talked, folded gliders, packed up gear, said good-byes, and finally headed home. Eric rode with us. Stopped at the Eel River for a dip, then on home, with a stop at Foster Freeze in Cloverdale for eggnog milkshakes.

Saturday, October 22, 1983 - 7:53 AM

Up getting ready to head for Elk Mountain for our Fall cross-country weekend. Looks like a nice sunny day for it. Slept fairly well last night after going to bed around ten. Awoke early this morning.

Sunday, October 23, 1983 - 4:25 PM

Got home from a good weekend at Elk. To my surprise and delight, I was the winner of our Sonoma Wings cross-country contest, flying all the way to the High School at Upper Lake. But first, let me review.

Got off Saturday morning by myself at 8:40 AM, cruised on up to Elk. Saw Stretch and Anne getting gas near Upper Lake, stopped and said hi.

Found Roy in Upper Lake with the hot tub, waiting for Stretch and Anne. We went to the restaurant for coffee, and Rich Sauer joined us there.

Then on to the campground at Elk. Ivan, Jon, and Hank soon arrived. Bones, Sharol, and Don Piercy had already gone up the mountain, as well as Gordon, Susan Grey and others, whom we saw on top. Susan had her new Duck. We greeted people, and got set up.

Sharol launched first about 12:45 on her Comet, but it was a bit too early, and she was gradually flushed down the mountain. It was evidently a fairly marginal day, so we didn't have high hopes for going far.

Stretch lined up next, and I lined up behind him, as I expected the launch would get crowded quickly when anyone was able to stay up.

Stretch launched at about 1 PM, and was able to get up in a thermal beyond the point.

I launched next on my Comet and flew down to the point, where I scratched for awhile, getting some light thermals but not getting up much.

Roy and Anne launched next. Roy got up, but not Anne, who eventually got flushed out, but worked low in the canyon for a long time.

I eventually got a good enough thermal near the point to get up and back behind the ridge, and soon was up to 5100' or so with Stretch and Roy, and soon others. Roy, then Stretch, headed out towards Pitney Ridge.

I worked the lift longer, with Bones, Gordon, Tom Denny, and others, and finally left with 6400', heading for Pitney, holding my altitude pretty well.

I soon saw that Roy and Stretch had landed in the creekbed west of Pitney, and I talked by radio with Stretch. Another glider was ahead of me, and Tom Denny made it past Pitney, but down to the creekbed beyond.

I made it through sink to the peak of Pitney where I expected and found good lift, so stayed there quite awhile, thermalling up to 5100' or so before heading on diagonally to the south towards Upper Lake, looking for fields along the road I could land in if necessary. The valley is planted mostly in walnut and pear orchards, so decent landing areas are few and far between, especially next to the road. The creek bed is a possibility in some places.

Kept going, over a tended fire in a field at one point, where I got some light lift and circled a bit before continuing on past more landable fields. Finally I saw the High School in the distance, which I thought I might be able to make, so headed that way.

As I got closer, I saw that there were a lot of people in the stands, and that there were teams at either end of the football field.

Just as I came over the north end of the field with about two or three hundred feet of altitude, the announcer started to welcome the people to the game over loudspeakers.

I shouted down, "Helloo," then waved, and many people waved up to me as I flew the length of the field. I felt pretty good, like a barnstormer, the pre-game entertainment.

I decided to land on the softball field, which was adjacent to and slightly east of the south end of the football field, with home plate and a backstop at the northeast corner. There were sprinklers active in the right field area just south of the football field.

In fact, I didn't have any other options, as the High School was surrounded by neighborhoods to the west and south, and orchards to the north and east. I was committed, whether I liked it or not. It was fairly tight, but I thought I could squeeze in.

I circled over the backstop and adjacent orchard before approaching that field. But I found I was too high to get into the field from there, as I wouldn't be able to get low enough over that high backstop to go on final.

So I had to make another turn back toward the football field, then a 180 over the sprinklers in right field, and back towards the pitcher's mound, turning right towards the left field corner, skimming the ground, then flaring hard about 20 feet short of the fence. My feet came down under me, then slipped on the wet grass, and I sat down under the flared glider for a three-point landing, feeling very good that I'd made it down safely, especially in front of all those people.

Everyone cheered when I landed, and soon a bunch of kids came over, and a few high school girls brought me some cold Seven-Up.

I felt like a celebrity. It turned out that this was the Homecoming Game, and I was the accidental pre-game show, coming over at 2 o'clock, just as the game was about to start, and I basked in my glory for awhile. I was reminded of Rich Pfeiffer and his Rose Bowl fly-in, but he got in big trouble for that one, but no one seemed to mind here.

I tried to call my friends on my CB radio, but couldn't reach anyone. I'd seen another glider circling behind me, but he didn't make it as far. It was Jim Leech, a Bay Area pilot.

Folded up my Comet, with the help of a kid named James, and eventually carried it out of the back parking lot and over to the next corner to try and get a ride.

It turned out that Anne and Stretch came looking for me, went past the High School, but didn't see me. I did get a guy in a pickup truck to give me a ride a few blocks to Main Street, and I waited there.

Talked to some people for awhile, and the druggist, Ted, said he'd give me a ride after he closed up. So after an hour wait or so, he and his wife Diane gave me a ride back to the campground. I thanked them and invited them to stay and party with us, but they had something else to do.

Anyway, I was given many congratulations, felt very good, ate it up.

Eventually I set up my tent, had salad for dinner, and got in the hot tub with Stretch, Anne, and Roy, and eventually Hank, Ernie, Jon, and Gordon. Spent a pleasant evening. Got to tell my story a few times.

Later it clouded over and began to rain lightly, so I put up my rainflap. Eventually went to bed, and it rained on and off throughout the night.

I slept occasionally, I think, got up to a foggy, damp morning around 8:30, and we (mostly Don and Sharol) cooked up some breakfast for a few of us, while others (Hank, Ivan, Gordon, and Jim Leech) went to town for breakfast.

It sprinkled some more during the morning, and soon people started giving up on the weather and leaving.

Roy, Stretch, Anne, and Gordon went up Pitney for a short flight, but most of us stood around 'til afternoon, finally packed up, said our good-byes and headed home.

Susan had been friendly to me during the weekend, gave me a big hug and congratulatory kiss after my flight. She had also stopped and talked to me while I was putting up my tent, until Jim Leech came over and ended the conversation for us.

She'd asked how I was.

I said, "High on the weekends, low during the week."

Later she said I should come visit her in the city, and we should do some things, get out and have some fun.

I said okay, but don't know what will come of it.

Kurt arrived late Saturday night. It was his birthday. He and Susan are good friends, as are she and Hank. Though Hank is now evidently hitting it off and getting involved with Stephanie (at Hull Mountain last weekend).

Saturday, November 5, 1983 - 7:51 AM

Up and getting ready to go to Elk Mountain on a clear sunny day (though there are high clouds moving in from the west). Talked to Bones, Ivan, Jon, James, Mel, and Tom last night and this morning. Ivan and I are going together, will meet Bones and Jon up there.

Feeling better this morning, found myself whistling and feeling happy for a change.

Sunday, November 6, 1983 - 11:50 AM

A grey day in Santa Rosa. Stayed in bed late. Got up before nine and went running. My lower legs ached a bit, so I quit after eight laps, walked most of the way home. Showered and had breakfast.

Yesterday, Ivan picked me up and we headed for Elk Mountain. A good ride up with some good talking. He seems a lot like me, quiet, thoughtful, shy. His dad is a well known eye doctor (age 69) and his mother an RN. His one sister, five years older, is also an RN. Ivan would have followed, but his grades in biochemistry and something else weren't good enough, he said. Patti's visiting her Mom in Roseville this weekend. Her father died two years ago.

At Elk we found Tim. Bones and Jon arrived soon, as did Roy. We loaded up Ivan's truck, while Roy waited for Stretch and Anne, who arrived as we headed up.

It was blowing lightly from the west, so we went down to the point to set up. Stretch launched first, from the competition slot in the best conditions of the day, marginally soarable, and got a hundred feet over for a few minutes, then got flushed as it lulled and never picked up again all day.

Jon launched for a sled ride, but Bones, Ivan, and I waited a couple of hours or more, hoping it would get better, then finally took our sledrides.

My landing wasn't as good as recently, but was okay. I had set up too high for the dead conditions.

Finally I drove Bones truck up to get the other three vehicles (with Ivan, Roy, and Jon), then we loaded up and headed home, stopping for a salad at Burger King.

Monday, November 7, 1983 - 7:14 AM

Yesterday was overcast all day with some rain. Mel called, said Saturday had been a perfect day at Goat Rock.

Adding up my hang gliding hours, I find I'm 34 minutes short of 300 hours.

Wednesday, November 9, 1983 - 7:24 AM

Stretch and Anne are here, after last night's Sonoma Wings meeting.

12 Noon

Stretch and Anne (and Awk and Spanky) are still here, but are out, so I'll write until they return.

Last evening I went out to dinner with Mary, who stopped by, at Sizzler. I was very much attracted to the waitress, Lynne, dark, curly hair, a nice smile. Regretted that I'm much too old for her now, alas.

Then to the Sonoma Wings meeting at Bones' shop. Had elections: Jon James - President, me - vice-president, Ivan - Treasurer, Denise - Secretary, Eric - Flight Director.

Also, Larry brought the awards for our Fly-in, and I was awarded a nice mug with inscription as winner. Felt pleased.

Thursday, November 10, 1983 - 12:21 Noon

Got home last evening to find Stretch and Anne still here. So we ordered pizza, and I picked it up, also got my enlargements of some photographs, to give people for Christmas.

Also invited Mel over to join us, and later Mary, when she called. We drank some beer and watched HBO, which was free this week. Mary took a bath, left around 10:20, and we went to bed.

Today is raining and blowing hard. Anne is still here. Stretch is over at Mel's, checking their van's engine.

Satisfaction at work, getting alternate journals and automatic offloading working.

Friday, November 11, 1983 - 12:44 Noon - Veterans' Day

Home, a holiday today. Sunny but with big cumi's forming all around. Still damp from yesterday's heavy rains.

Stretch and Anne were still here when I got home, but were about to head home, which they soon did. Then I went out to do laundry at Coddingtown.

Saturday, November 12, 1983 - 12:20 PM

Today's sunny, cloudy, and windy, a sparkling Fall day.

Just got back from taking Dennis and Mary to breakfast at Elmer's, and feel now in better spirits.

Just talked to Mel about going to Goat Rock, but we think it's probably blown out.

Friday, November 25, 1983 - 11:23 AM

Had a nice Thanksgiving dinner over at Lynne's house with Mel and Lynne. I took a bottle of wine. They had enough food for six or seven people, so we all got stuffed, then talked and watched TV.

It's a beautiful sunny day. I think I'll head out to Goat Rock.

Saturday, November 26, 1983 - 9:51 AM

Called Ivan yesterday (after also calling Mel, and Sharol) and went with him to Goat Rock. Saw Stretch and Anne as they were leaving, and said hi to them after they turned around and came back across the bridge. But by the time we got to Goat Rock, it was marginally blown out, and got stronger as we watched.

Also there were Brian Scharp and Pam, John Blacet, and Steve Little, who, I found out, is an MFCC. We hung out a little while, then headed on home.

Invited Ivan to stay for a beer, and he did. Then I was going to show him my Owens Valley film, but my projector lamp was burned out. Then we were going to check out the Flight Simulator program on the computer (Apple II), but got sidetracked watching Donahue. Then I couldn't remember how to load the program. But we talked, had a nice visit. I like Ivan a lot, think he's much like me in some ways.

It's another nice day. Think I'll go to Goat Rock again.

Sunday, November 27, 1983 - 9:36 AM

I went out to Goat Rock around noon yesterday, after calling Mel and Ivan earlier, but they both had other plans. It turned out to be a good day.

Oly was there, set up, and also there were John Blacet, Brian Scharp, and Gordon Stitt. Jon James arrived soon too. It was almost dead at the moment, but showed signs of picking up, so I went ahead and set up my Comet.

A kid name Aram helped me, and we talked a lot. By the time I was set up, it was soarable and Oly had launched, was doing fine.

So I launched next at 1:37. I was soon getting to 300' so made a couple of passes out over the Rock.

Jon launched, then headed down to the south end, so I followed him down. It was good down there, lots of hawks, and we got to 500' over the peaked hill. We both tried to come back but neither of us could make it, but turned back in time to get back into the lift zone.

So the next time, we got more altitude. I got to 740' before heading north, finally stuffed the bar and made it around the point right after Jon.

Soon the wind got stronger, so we headed out and landed, after an hour for me, a fun flight. I broke 300 hours total airtime on this flight. Packed up soon and came on home.

Friday, December 2, 1983 - 7:11 AM

Had some dreams last night about hang gliding.

In one I was on the ground watching as some gliders flew over, one an older model. Then they turned back and landed near us, or one of them anyway, a good landing. It was a woman pilot, one I didn't know. I was impressed by her good landing.
In another brief image, I felt some anger toward a landowner who was complaining about hang gliders landing in that area, felt it an unjustified complaint.
There was another brief segment where a few of us were climbing down over some steep boulders and structures to get back to (?) the launch area (?). I remember being cautious and slow over the obstacles.
And there's another segment where I'm on a floating boat or large lakeside patio with Hugh Hefner (?) and other officials in a hang gliding contest. The winner, a familiar (but unknown) person, circles above, then lands right on the patio, an excellent landing, and is congratulated on his win.
Later he's paying his bills with a credit card, when Hugh Hefner tells him he doesn't owe anything, as he was the contest winner. He was insisting on paying his own costs. That's about all I recall.

Those are the first hang gliding dreams I recall, at least for awhile.

Monday, December 5, 1983 - 7:28 AM

A cloudy morning (high scalloped clouds) after a clear windy day yesterday.

I called Ivan last night and he confirmed that it had been blown out at Goat Rock.

Went to bed early (9:30) and slept well all night long for a change, until almost 6 AM.

Wednesday, December 7, 1983 - 9:21 AM

Got home a little before ten. Mary called just after I got home. She was at work at the hospital, and was taking care of Jon and Nancy's new baby, born yesterday, named Ethan, a nine pound baby, and very cute, Mary said.

So later I called Hank, told him, and we talked for awhile. He and Jon had gone to Usal on Sunday, had gotten good flights, though in unusual conditions.

Thursday, December 8, 1983 - 7:17 AM

Yesterday, taking the morning off, I called Jon, to congratulate him, and we talked for awhile.

Saturday, December 17, 1983 - 10:46 AM

I went to Mark's shop to pick up the membership cards, which he was just cutting. Waited and talked with him. He and Sue are living together, will probably get married soon. He's very busy with his business, but making lots of money so far.

Came home, heated my ham for the Sonoma Wings Pot Luck Dinner Party, also called Ivan, who, it turned out, wouldn't be coming to the Party, had other plans with his parents. So he dropped off the ledgers, so I could distribute the cards and collect dues. Also took a bunch of my old movies for showing.

It was a nice meeting at Bones' shop. Bones and Sharol were in good spirits. I showed everyone my blowup for James, and gave it to him when he arrived with Sandra, and he loved it.

Had a good time. Also there were Denise, Eric, and a new girlfriend, Mike and Trish, Curt and Debbie, Jon, Ernie and Kindy, Oly, Gordon, Brian, Duane, and Don and Marty, who arrived later and liked the photos I sent them.

I had quite a few beers, and Bones got very drunk, but we all had fun.

Came home, went to bed around midnight. There was talk of flying Mt. St. Helena today, but it's quite cloudy out, though sunny, is probably totally clouded over there.

Sunday, December 18, 1983 - 11:42 AM

Today's still fogged over. I was going to go to Mt. St. Helena today, but am just as glad I didn't.

But last night, as I was taking the Scout over to get gas, I got to the end of the street, hit the brake pedal, and - nothing!, so I quickly grabbed the emergency brake and stopped. There seems to be a leak in the hydraulic system and filling the reservoir didn't help. So I decided not to go.

It's noon now, and we're still fogged in, so I'm glad I didn't go to Mt. St. Helena.

9:04 PM

Today the fog never lifted. I considered going out to Goat Rock around 1:30 or so, but then decided not to bother.

Monday, December 26, 1983 - 11:17 AM

Another grey drizzly day, though it seems to be possibly clearing, in which case I might get to go to Goat Rock later. I haven't missed a month of flying since October, 1981, and it would be nice to get a flight in this month.

Saturday, December 31, 1983 - 8:08 AM

It's the last day of '83, and it'll be a relief to see it go. Except for some good hang gliding, it must have been the most emotionally painful year of my life. I've probably cried more tears this year than in the rest of my life combined. But things are looking up, and I'm looking forward to 1984 with hope.

This morning is grey and foggy. It drizzled most of yesterday, clearing by sunset. A nice weekend is expected.

Sunday, January 1, 1984 - 10:25 AM

A nice sunny Sunday morning to start off the New Year. I just came back from a three mile run at the J.C. track, and am sipping an orange juice, banana, carrot, prune juice, and milk smoothie, which is all I intend to eat all day. If it gets windy at the coast, I may go flying.

Saturday, January 7, 1984 - 11:53 AM

Another grey foggy day, though it's supposed to be sunny beyond the fog.

Also called Sharol. They may go to Elk Mountain on Sunday. I may go with them. Mary said it was soarable at Goat Rock yesterday, so it may be again today.

Sunday, January 8, 1984 - 8:33 AM

I'm up getting ready to leave for Elk Mountain. Didn't sleep hardly at all last night, due to some brownies I baked and ate last evening, so I almost decided not to get up. But I'm going after all. It's foggy but with patches of blue sky showing through, so it could be a decent day.

Yesterday I read in the morning awhile, then took a drive to Goat Rock around 1:30 on a gamble. But it was dead, so I came home.

Time to go.

Monday, January 9, 1984 - 7:16 AM

Found out yesterday that my phone is out of order, not receiving calls. Sharol had tried to call me back, but couldn't get through.

Anyway, I headed on up to Elk by myself, arriving around 10:45 to a sunny clear day, in that area anyway, whereas it had been cloudy on the way up. Fortunately, I'd brought my book, as it was a long wait until anyone else arrived.

Also I'd stopped by at Barry's house in Blue Lake, to get my bag from Mike's Land Cruiser, and it was there.

The others (Roy, Stretch, Anne, Rich, Duane, and Sharol) finally arrived around 1:30.

I was glad to see Stretch and Anne again. They thanked me for my card, indicated that they have a present for me, and we hugged.

Headed up the mountain in Roy's truck. It had gotten cloudier (high thin clouds) by this time, and a breeze was coming lightly up the south launch.

We set up, Anne, Stretch, and Roy launched, with me close behind. By this time the wind was shifting to the west, so we had to go in a light south thermal.

Rich cut through the gap, found a west thermal near the point. I stayed on the south side of the ridge and got sink off the point, so came around it low. Scratched a little down the west ridge, but couldn't get up with Rich.

Gradually sank down the mountain, until the last lower ridge, where I caught a light thermal that took me from under 3100' to over 3500', but couldn't get back up nor find another, so soon went out to land. Had a good landing, though past where I wanted to land. A half hour flight.

After folding up, most of us went to the pizza place in Upper Lake for pizza, salad and beer. Had a nice time. Then I headed on home.

Went to bed after ten. Slept pretty well, I think. Today's grey and foggy again.

Tuesday, January 10, 1984 - 8 AM

Another grey morning. My phone is still not working. A repairman is due this morning.

Wednesday, January 11, 1984 - 7:19 AM

Mel called me, got me excited about the towing clinic this weekend, that Bones and Sharol are sponsoring. So I called Sharol, then mailed in my application and check. Talked to Mel later, but he'd decided not to do it, too much money, he said.

7:32 PM

Sharol called this afternoon. We'll probably go to Lake Pillsbury for the towing clinic.

Tom Denny and James both called this evening about flying plans. Tom will also be doing the towing clinic.

Friday, January 13, 1984 - 7:06 AM

Today's foggy. Yesterday got sunny, but stayed chilly. I'm signed up for the weekend towing clinic, which may be held at Lake Pillsbury. Hope the weather holds.

Sunday, January 15, 1984 - 4:02 PM

Got home from Lake Pillsbury early today on a rainy day, but had a very nice weekend.

Bones called on Friday to tell me that the clinic was going to be up at the airstrip at Lake Pillsbury, and to urge me to come up for steak dinner with them at the cabin they'd rented at Pillsbury Ranch, on Friday evening, that Don and Marty would also be there.

I wanted to go, but had to go to Berkeley to pick up Cici after work, so I told him I'd make the eleven o'clock gate opening instead, so I did a lot of driving Friday evening, to Berkeley and back, getting Cici, also stopping at the bookstore. Then home, to the store, load the Scout, then up to Pillsbury. Got there around 10:40 PM, just as Dick Cassetta arrived also.

So we stayed up another hour or two, drinking beer, socializing and playing poker; Bones, Don Piercy, Dick Cassetta, Eric Beckman, Tom Denny, and Art and Jim Philbrook. Finally we went to bed around 1 AM.

But I didn't sleep well, as someone snored almost all night.

But later I did have dreams in which the snoring was a background noise, and we were looking to see where it was coming from.
There were other segments too, one in which an attractive woman was affectionate with me, and from which I awoke feeling very good in a nostalgic way. Can't recall the scene or the details though, just the nice feeling of it.

We had a good breakfast, and eventually headed out to the airstrip around 9 AM. I fooled myself into thinking it would be reasonably warm, as the sun was out, though there were some clouds. So I didn't wear long johns or a thermal shirt, was later very cold.

Girard on the Cosmos trike

Jean-Michel explains the importance of following the trike to Don Piercy, Bones Strickland, and Marty Piercy. Hull Mountain is in the background.

Ralph hooking in before getting towed up

Getting towed up

Jean-Michel Bernasconi and Girard Thevenot (three time French hang gliding champion) were there with their trike "tugs" and Espirit gliders, and lots of other Region 2 pilots arrived also, including; Wally, Ron Rice, Carl Almendinger, and others, 25 or so altogether.

They demo'd the trikes first, then a tow, then we all got ready to try it. I was tenth. We were launching across the main runway up near where the grassy strip joins it, heading east towards the creekbed.

On my first launch, I got pulled suddenly as I started my run, couldn't keep up, so fell forward into the control bar, and one of my wheels hit the ground, but then I got it flying, and had a good flight after that, towing up several hundred feet, releasing from tow, and circling around until I made a good landing.

Tom Denny and Art Philbrook both got "locked out" on their flights, had to release, but made it back to the runway okay.

On Sharol's first try, she got pulled up too high, too fast, got locked out high, couldn't pull in to get down, and the tug had to release her. But on her next one, she had a good flight, and became the first woman pilot in the country to do a tow by ultralight tug.

There was a feeling that we were "pioneering," as this was the first clinic in the country, and they'd just gotten their tugs through customs, two days before. We were all very impressed with their systems and equipment.

When the sun went behind the clouds, it got very cold, and eventually a very cold wind started blowing off the lake. I retreated to my Scout, started the engine to get some heat. Don, Marty, and Bones joined me there.

Around four, losing our enthusiasm from the cold, some of us headed back to the cabin.

The others stayed, some taking second flights, and they eventually arrived back at the cabin too, where we all had a big spaghetti dinner, and drank beer. It was very nice.

Then we watched some movies, not very good, after watching some video that Art had taken, which was also not very good, as he'd thought the camera was off, filmed the ground and peoples' shoes a lot.

Monday, January 16, 1984 - 7:26 AM

This morning I'm pretty tired from the weekend. Getting back to that, we all went to bed fairly early on Saturday night, as Jean-Michel wanted us to get an early start in the morning.

There were an extra ten or so people in the cabin Saturday night, sleeping all over the floor. I loaned my extra sleeping pad to a guy named Jay. Unfortunately, Mark moved into the bunk above mine, and he also snored loudly, so I couldn't get to sleep.

Eventually Eric reached down from above, shook him, and he quieted down for awhile, and I may have gotten a little sleep. Then people were beginning to get up around 5:40.

After a good breakfast, we went out to an overcast and soon drizzly day. But we got set up to do some towing anyway, and began operations by around ten.

I got my second flight, heading south on the runway, made a good launch, and good tracking into two large 360's, but on the second, by then pretty high, I allowed myself to get outside and above the tug's track, and before I knew it, I was locked out, so he signaled me to release, which I did. But it was still a very good flight, even though we were getting rain in the face by then.

I got another flight an hour or so later. This time I tracked the tug perfectly, and Jean-Michel said afterwards that it had been excellent, perfect, that I was always at the right place in relation to the tug. So I felt very good about that.

By noon, everyone had flown twice (except for Bones, who never did fly) and it was raining harder, socking in lower, and we debated whether to continue.

Some people waited around, but I decided to go, and Don and I drove back to the cabin, where I packed up my gear, and soon headed home.

Got home in the rain by three or so, pretty tired but glad I'd gone, and feeling pretty good.

Got to go now.

Thursday, January 19, 1984 - 7:10 AM

A blue sky morning for a change, sun still below the eastern horizon, but lighting the sky.

Felt energetic at work yesterday, working on a program to clarify the problem with the Jury database. I find this is the kind of work I like, where I can be creative, working on my own to creatively solve a problem, as long as I'm not rushed, or feel that the problem was my fault. So the day passed quickly.

After work I relaxed. Called Sharol to express appreciation for the weekend. Mel called me, and we talked about it also. He'd gone to Elk Mountain, had gotten a good two hour flight on Saturday.

Saturday, January 21, 1984 - 1:12 PM

Mel just called. It may be good at Goat Rock. He's going to come by in about 45 minutes.

7:27 PM

Mel came over and we (and Lynne) went out to Goat Rock. Had a nice drive there. I talked about my upcoming workshop, had a good sharing with Lynne and Mel.

It was lightly soarable when we got there, so we started setting up. Mike Mahoney and Tricia arrived shortly, and Mike set up his new Duck quickly and was ready before I was. He launched into a 20 knot wind, and I launched soon after.

Got to 300', so flew out over the rock and back a few times. Mel finished setting up a few minutes later, but found it was blown out by then.

But I was feeling bold, and headed downwind to the south end, as I was getting to 400' by then. Got down there easily with lots of altitude, and got to over 600' over the peaked hill. Mike followed me down.

I tried to get back by flying toward the Rock, but turned back to the ridge when I got down to 400'. The next time, I got as high as I could, then tried to get back by flying along slowly above the ridge, keeping my altitude of over 500' most of the way. Finally I pulled in and made it over the back with plenty to spare.

But Mike followed me, and he was lower. Approaching the final stretch, he was getting flushed, so instead of turning back to get more altitude and try again, he headed out and tried to make it through the gap between the ridge and Goat Rock against a strong head wind and venturi effect.

He almost landed in the parking lot below, which would have been his best bet, but instead he tried to eke his way further around some big rocks in the surf. He didn't quite make it. He pushed out to get around the last rock, then landed in the surf about two feet short of the beach, and the waves immediately knocked him over and covered his glider.

He managed to get unhooked and out, but his glider was held by the weight of the water that filled the wings. It took another ten minutes for him to get his glider out of the surf, but by then it was destroyed completely, his brand new Duck.

It was too bad, a very sad situation. I felt very bad for him, though it seemed to be a case of poor judgment to attempt to fly through there so low, and I was greatly relieved that he was able to get himself out safely, even though he lost his glider.

The wind gradually let up, and I was making fast soaring passes at around 200' for awhile before heading out to land on the beach, where by now it was almost dead calm, and my landing wasn't very good.

Folded up my glider on the grass. Mike eventually came over. He had some scratches on his face and a big bump on his forehead. I offered to loan him my Raven to fly if he wants to, as he'll probably be without a glider for awhile.

Eric Beckman just called, invited me to go towing tomorrow at Liberty Field. I said I might, but am ambivalent.

Sunday, January 22, 1984 - 10:56 AM

A foggy day so far. I went running when I got up (around 8:40), did three miles at the track and back. Will try to eat lightly today. Just had a banana for breakfast to replenish my potassium.

Eric hasn't called yet. It may be too foggy a day. I pretty much decided not to go, as I have things I want to do; cleaning up, reading, thinking, perhaps watching the Super Bowl. Feel like being solitary on my last weekend before my workshop.

Monday, January 23, 1984 - 7:23 AM

A clear chilly morning. Yesterday I spent relaxing around the house, reading and watching TV.

Mel called after 1 PM to see if I wanted to go to Goat Rock again. I said no thanks. It seemed like it would be blown out anyway.

Eric never did call, unless it was while I was out running. Maybe it stayed too foggy all day.

Wednesday, January 25, 1984 - 12:30 Noon

Took a sick day after getting wasted last night at the Sonoma Wings meeting here. Awoke with a severe headache, and took aspirin and vitamins to soothe it.

After work, I went shopping then came home to clean up a bit. To my surprise, Stretch, Anne, and Roy arrived about 5:30, as they'd been in Santa Rosa today. So we socialized for a couple of hours before the meeting, having some beer.

Stretch and Anne gave me a Christmas present, a shirt they'd made. And I gave them the Leela game hardcover book that I'd gotten at the Flea Market and showed them the board I'd made to play it on. I think they'll like it. Also we looked at photos, and I gave them three of Awk that I'd gotten out for them. They liked them and put them in their album.

We talked about gliders, flights, etc. Also I told them about my upcoming weekend workshop, and the changes I might go through. Felt good sharing this with them.

James arrived early also, and joined us. Eventually others arrived around 7:30, including "the Napa gang;" Art and Jim Philbrook, Ken Lloyd, and Tom Sullau. Also arriving were Eric, Gordon, Jon, Ivan, Brian (both Robbins and Scharp), Tom and Lin Denny, Larry Patrizio, Rick Kannisto, and Duane Taylor.

Ivan had hurt his ribs skiing, wouldn't be able to fly for a few weeks. Art showed his edited videotape of the towing weekend, as more people arrived.

Then we had a meeting. Rick discussed site acquisition, had done an elaborate paper on it, and a Site Committee was officially formed. Finally we ended with some slides that Tom Denny had taken, very clear.

Gradually people began leaving, but Stretch, Anne, and Roy were spending the night here, and Rick stayed 'til midnight, then we went to bed. I'd probably had six or more beers.

Didn't sleep very well, and awoke early, around five, with a splitting headache. Decided on a sick day, stayed in bed until 8:30.

Had some morning dreams in which Stretch, Anne, Spanky and others were at some outdoor place where various things were happening (construction?). At one point, Anne and I went somewhere in a truck. When we came back, we hugged before getting off the truck, and there was a nice loving feeling between us, but I didn't want to start anything that would affect her relationship with Stretch, so we broke it off, jumped out of the truck.

We all got up, and I made us a breakfast of French toast, which was fine. Finally they got their stuff together and left. We had to push, then jump start their VW bus, newly painted and looking nice.

Since then I've been reading in The Warrior's Way. Will take it easy today, resting up for the weekend.

Friday, February 3, 1984 - 7:11 AM

Stopped by the Shop to see Bones and Sharol for awhile. Told them about the weekend workshop, and about my subsequent feelings of disillusionment. We had a good talk, expressed our warmth with hugs.

Sunday, February 5, 1984 - 7:28 AM

Up early, getting ready to head to Elk Mountain and see my real friends again.

5:24 PM

Had a nice flight at Elk today. Cruised on up alone arriving at 10:15, as it was beginning to cloud over. The wind was blowing from the south.

Mel and Lynne were there waiting for me, which I appreciated. Rode up with them, and told them my feelings about the Sterling group, and how I'd become disillusioned.

On top it was thermalling up the south side, pretty good cycles. So we set up. I soon realized that I'd lost my control bar bolt, probably at Goat Rock in the grassy area where I last folded up my glider. But luckily I found a pin and safety that I could use instead, so I did.

I launched at 12:10, closely followed by Mel. Found a thermal past the knob, and circled up in it with a pair of Bald Eagles. Mel came under, but couldn't find it, and gradually scratched his way down the mountain.

But I got up, soon was at cloudbase at 5000' and stayed there as the area clouded over heavily. Later I was low again, but got another good thermal, this time was whiting out at 5300', my maximum altitude.

Later, when it was all clouded over again, I got flushed. But I did find a light thermal part way down the mountain, which got me from 3500' or so to 4300', but I couldn't stay up. After one hour and fifteen minutes, I came out and landed, overshot the spot, but flared hard and ran, not dropping the nose.

Roy and Rich had gone up too, and Roy landed as I was folding up my glider. I got the flight of the day, again.

Cruised on home, getting here around 4:30, pretty tired. Will take it easy tonight.

Wednesday, February 8, 1984 - 7:26 AM

Last night I called Ivan, Mike Mahoney (at Ivan's suggestion), Dick Swenson, and Hank, talking to them all for awhile. Ivan had visited Mike to console him about his accident. Mike and I talked about that, as he asked my view of it.

Dick is heading back east in a couple of months, to Maine. He's sold his glider (to Hank), is getting out of hang gliding. According to Hank, he'd had some hard landings with it.

I asked about him and Susan.

He told me she'd gotten a job where she was traveling a lot. She'd met a guy in Quincy, with whom she'd gotten involved, and is going to marry. She didn't tell Dick the real reason for her leaving him for quite awhile, he said, just like with Meredith and me.

She'd wanted to marry him, but he'd resisted, so she'd found someone else. He seemed sad about it still. I'm sorry he is leaving, as I like him a lot.

Hank and I talked about a few things, including my changes, Mike, Dick, flying at Elk, etc.

Then I went to bed. Slept well.

Saturday, February 11, 1984 - 9:44 AM

Last evening I talked to Mel and Sharol about possible flying. It had been good at Goat Rock yesterday. Bones had flown and loved the Comet-2. If it gets nicer, we may go out there today.

End of Volume 32