Another Rest Day

Fun day on launch today. On the drive there everyone whined that we were just wasting time and gas. The wind in the city was blowing even stronger than yesterday and we were guessing it would be 70 kph on launch. Surprisingly, when we arrived, the wind was much lighter than expected. The clouds looked beautiful and they called a task. Well, it wasn't long before the wind started to pick up. An hour and half after arriving, it was blowing like stink again...at least as bad as yesterday. Gliders were being blown over and around on launch and everyone was running around grabbing their wings. The paramedics hadn't arrived, so competitors weren't allowed to launch yet, but a free flyer decided to take off. Way back in my Marina Beach days, we used to do what we called a "boing" launch. With a full wire crew synchronized, they would all release together and you would go straight up into the air above the ramp...very little forward, mostly just straight up. That's exactly what this free flyer did. Looked pretty cool actually, he went way up, way fast. I guess I just wouldn't try that anywhere but at a smooth coastal site.

Found this tiny little owl yesterday...he was no bigger than my fist! I've never seen one that small.