ParaGliding

In the Winter of 1999, on a Dive trip to the Socorro Islands, Mexico I had expressed my desire to do something else and Paragliding came up... someone finally said "Well.... why don't you just do it...." heheh... well duh... why not indeed... so I spent the next 3-4 months wonder where to start, what was involved and when. After a little searching about the Nation, I came across Dixon's AirPlay. While they were closed up here, he was open down in Arizona, just flying with birds...

I wrote him, set up a time and date for the weekend preview (fully prepared at this point in time to get the P-2 rating) and held my breath. I had a one day class years before at Whistler Mt, BC and it was terrific. Little did I know how Weather related it was. I now follow the Jet Stream, and use that as the "Go or No Go" to Cashmere, WA for flight training. If the Jet Stream is overhead or South of Cashmere, then it's a "No Go" - otherwise it's clear sailing for the most part. The Jet stream brings in rough air - not good for the Newbies...

Below are some pic's taken on my days out there... and of beautiful Downtown Cashmere of which I'm becoming much like a local... at the local pubs anyway....

Paragliding??? heheheh.... It's a lotta work for a beer *, even for a "One armed monkey with fleas....." but there's nothing like it... (* Beer is only AFTER finished flying)

General area of Cashmere looking west. It's about a 2:15 hr drive from Seatac Airport along I-90 to exit #85 over Bleuett Pass. Once there, you meet at a parking lot for the Airplay Truck to pick you up at 0900hrs. Then on to the Ranch.
	South part of the Ranch. To the left is the main meeting tree and of course in the shade, much welcomed on the hot sunny days... during the windy times of the day. Behind me are the hills and canyons to fly.
Meeting and lecturing time.. later it converts to a lunch area.. heheh without much trouble. Lectures are also in the shop area with a practice harness and videos etc...
	..On the way up the Valley to several turnoffs for different levels. Much like the Bunny to Expert Slopes at a ski resort, for different levels...
and arriving at the top, this happens to be Don's place...
	Out of the truck, on to the ground, and ready in 5 minutes... to launch...
And it's off we go.. *Hallelujah...*
	...and a repeat...
Since it's a little hard for a newbie to take pictures while flying, I have to use what's available and more than likely out of sequence. This a pic of the Staff flying while the newbies eat lunch. Also note that there are 3 gliders, the 2 above the tree and the blue one way up in the Tippy-corner left side..
	Apparently not a normal approach due to shifting winds, but this time for sure....
...and landing on egg shells.... nice and easy... heheh when you know how....
	Some don't like to walk .... ....when they can glide....
and back into the bunk house for a nap, after a long hard flight... just joking of course... it's has to be a tough day soaring with the Eagles...
Well that's about it for now... Stay tuned... Back in a bit.....