Saturday 8/18/12 rides

Amanda and Ryan got lucky for their ride because the passage of a little cold front had moved out most of the ugly "old" air and replaced it with clearer new air!

We could still see bands of smoke particles from the many fires burning in the state but today was one of the clearest all summer. 

 Here we are over Prunedale looking at the Pajaro River valley and Santa Cruz in the distance:

 We are still behind the towplane at 5250' above sea level flying at 80 mph and going up 400 feet/min looking at Moss Landing and the Monterey Bay:

Fabi and Richard were next to fly east over the Diablos for a Mile High Mountain ride:

The Quien Sabe Valley looking ESE from Henrietta Peak showing the dryness of the area:

The San Luis Reservoir is off in the distance to the north.  That water comes down the California aqueduct system from northern CA for the benefit of those who want water for agribusiness and to live the "American" life-style.

While we were flying rides, the local glider club's high-performance two-place DG was being used to check out a new member:

After Jonathan and Nicolas were done, Kurt took one of our line-workers for his first ride in "sports-car of the sky".  Kurt said Bishop had a very good feel for the sailplane and handled it nicely.  They even did some upside-down flying!