Beautiful clear day following the cold front passage

Vivian and Ricardo got lucky with their pick of a day to take their first glider ride.  Vivian said she had enjoyed her parachute experience in Hollister last summer.  She remembered the gliders.  We made up for the slight height differential with some cushions:

After release from tow at 4500' over the Diablos east of Hollister.  The snow-capped Sierras are off in the distance beyond the San Joaquin Valley.

Winter, wet season, rides

Bernard from Buffalo, NY was visiting son Philip in the San Jose area. I think it was Philip's wife who bought Groupon Hollister Hops for them on a day when the air was still between storms.  Philip's skills as a private pilot in powered aircraft allowed him to handle the controls very smoothly on the first flight and I could see that glider flying was of a great interest to him.  I didn't get a pic of him in the air but here's one of his father who took a higher tow.

Ed said this ride was for his 80th birthday but you wouldn't know it if you saw how easily he got in an out of the glider.

From this group, 4 of the 6 went up because the other two said they had a ride in Eugene, OR and were wanting to see their friends have a similar experience.

Brenna and her father, Kevin went first and those smiles tell all.

The last ride of the day was with Amy and her son Andrew.  We were having such a good time I forgot to get their picture in the air but here they are after landing.  I think Andrew might have become interested in pilot training especially after he was made aware of the fact that the young man, also named Andrew, who was working the line was already a private pilot at 16 having soloed at 14.  He's now working on his commercial license so he can give rides too.

When the young men get their licenses the first person they generally take up is Mom.  And the mom will ask, "Does he really know what he's doing?" and we'll reply, "You are about to find out!"