The wind was perfect. Chris was hovering about launch with total control.

After our morning flights, Ben (Cowpaddy) took us back to launch. We had 4 pilots and 4 gliders packed into that Toyota.

During the early afternoon rowdy air was a good time to jam. Ben showed us how to use the accordion while Paul takes off on some guitar riffs.

Wow, Ben's 6-string version of Chopsticks sounds great!

After enjoying the Bavarian accordeon music on the Alpine trip, I wanted to get an accordion. I stumbled upon this guy in Berlin in the evening after everyone else headed back to the U.S. He had several walls covered with all kinds of accordions. This is where I got the accordion that Ben is playing in the picture above.

Ricky makes his first top landing.

Kermon lifts Chris with just one hand.

Hey, this hill ain't big enough for two red Arcus's. Outta my way, Buster!

Paul prepares to land on Chris' wing.

... and the post-flight tradition at the Sage Brush continues ...

COWABUNGA, BOO-WAH, Etc. Tuesday September 12, 2000 was an epic (to quote Chris) flying day at Moore Mountain. By 5:30 p.m., the wind was a steady 12-mph with embedded thermals to 15. The air turned as smooth as honey flowing down a fresh cooked biscuit on a warm Sunday evening. Paul was the first to go around 4:30 p.m. I do think the bloke from over England way would fly in a tornado. He got up, flew a few minutes did a beautiful top landing and said "it's great, SMOOTH,why aren't you guys flying?" and off he went again. That was enough for Kermon, into the suit, on with the harness and "UP UP and AWAY" he went. Next was Ricky as soon as he got the OK, "SMOOTH AS SILK" call from Kermon and then it was ME, all alone on the launch, a bit rusty from not flying for about 6-7 months saying "Self" you can do it. As there was an obvious beautiful "Wonder Wind" building, there were no excuses not to fly! My "I don't do sled runs" excuse just wouldn't work tonight! Pulled up the wing, stopped it, looked at it, Wow, it sure looks bigger than I remembered, turned around, and just "Elevated" up and away. Cowabunga, it felt good to be back in the air. Jerky for the first 5 Min. then Ahhhhhhhh, how good it is! It was so SMOOTH and it just got better. I flew for about 1:20 and did a nice top landing and called it a day. I had already watched at least 8-10 top landings by Paul, Chris, Kermon and Tammy by then so obviously it was perfect on top. Everyone else continued flying to about 7:40 p.m. There were so many top landings, I lost count of them! In fact someone who will remain nameless was being an air hog after his top landing and was still flying on his second flight when I left at 7:45 in the light of a full moon! I might have the time a bit wrong, but it was a beautiful sight. Oh yes, Ricky did his FIRST top landing with a bit of coaching by Tammy. Way to go Ricky. It was a good landing. All in all it was a wonderful evening. I wish that everyone on the list had been there. Wouldn't that have been something? I do believe the fall flying season is HERE. Good air to All, Cowpaddy (back in the air) Ben [condensed slightly - The Webmaster]

Hovercraft operator Chris, at work.