|
This was the weekend I'll try to remember the summer by. If
only they could all be so grand. It started easy enough—a newsgroup
note to the local BBS about flying at the polo field, one of our
Chicagoland favorites. Then it blossomed. It is true that we northerners have a 10
minute flying window. Cold settles in for an eternity then June blooms
with colored nylon as we all head skyward. Opportunity here doesn't
knock often so, when it does, we respond with vigor. Warmth was forecast. I love morning
warmth—even
with 65° air at ground level, only a few dozen feet high it's
75°. Flying in the Midwest during these conditions is magical. I
worked all day Friday, arriving home well past midnight. But the plan
was for several of us to meet at the Polo field for a sunrise launch.
After putzing around, working on my motor and loading everything up, it
was 4am. I was in bed by 4:15am. We were meeting at 6 am so my alarm was
set for 5am. Ouch, this would be a 45 minute nap. A faint ringing
crept into my dream. When it dawned on me that it wasn't part of my
dream I was further confused because it didn't sound like the alarm. And
why was it light out? That's not right. When I finally found
the phone, it was Harry calling "where are you?"
I'd overslept.
Thank
god he called or I'd have slept through the whole morning. I jumped into my clothes and headed out.
Bummer though, everybody
would be airborne but me and I'd miss that perfect morning light when
flying and pictures look their best.
Alas, when I arrived, nary a soul was there. Cool! I'm not the only one who
overslept. As I set up others started trickling in and we started
trickling aloft. Dave and I got an early flight in while the morning fog
lingered in the low spots. It wasn't the layered variety but it sure
made for some awesome pictures. Getting a cross country together is
difficult. Morning calm, dewy ground and warm air conspire against the
launcher and a few pilots struggled. You just hate leaving anyone
behind. Lance and I headed westward for a cruise and found some
interesting spots. Man, what you can do with a PPG is amazing.
Exploration just doesn't get any better than this. You'll see what I
mean in the pictures.
Row One: 1) This was the most amazing launch attempt I've seen.
He started going west, recovered from a frontal (too much A's) then
wound up almost making it going east before he slipped on wet grass. 2)
Lance and Scott. 3) Eugene. Row Two:
Lance and Scott just south of the polo field. 2) David McGrinny. No,
he's not happy. 3) Eugene launching his ancient DK Whisper. 4) Scott
launching while Lance looks on. Row
Three: Jay looking north at the field "I have all this room, lets go
fly!" 2 & 3) Lance peruses the houses and golf course. 4) Lance heading
for the quarry. Row Four: 1)
Lance does a little foot-tap on top of the sand pile. 2) Scott beaming.
He's also a professional pilot that apparently doesn't get enough! 3)
Dave and I nabbed the early air. Magical. Music was playing in my head
all the while, too. 4) Eugene launching. |
