Is This My Life?

I have watched the yellow lines pass by outside my window for nearly 12 hours today. The landscapes have changed from oceans edge, thru desert heat, to the top of the snowy mountains I call home. While driving, I happened to find an audio book buried in my iPhone, and trying to pass the hours I turned it on. As I tried to keep my eyes open as the hours passed, one quote caught my attention. In the story an old wise man said the following: “I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man....life is the moment we’re living now.” As I thought on that statement for several hours, my mind not only reflected on the moments of the last 10 days, but also those important moments that encompass my life.

 
The last 10 days have been packed with a harness full of memorable moments, treasures in my life. Soaring coastal cliffs over deep blue waters, thermal flying many thousands of feet over various desert mountains and valleys; camp fires, great friends, burned chicken, orange brownies, flying kites, and playing 'brain quest' with my kids through endless hours in the car. It is true that every day is a blessing, a miracle really. A miracle that deserves our utmost energy to truly live, to take advantage of these fleeting moments of time. It has been a wonderful week spending time with Clark and his awesome family; getting a glimpse of what a 14 year old can actually eat in any given day. It is great traveling with people who share the same values, ideals and enthusiasm for life....so much so that I am always exhausted at the end of the day (the way it should be). Great to spend time with Gary and his wonderful family. Although his hair is silver, his passion for paragliding, surfing, and life burns brighter than most.

As I reflect on the moments of my life, I realize despite challenges and hardships I am truly a lucky human being. Thankful for the miracle of flight that has sunk its talons deep into my soul. It continues to make my heart race, make me smile, and remind me of what is important in life; The smile of my kids, the touch of my wife, faith in a power bigger than myself, and the endless wind in my extended arms. Yes, this is my life and it continues to be an amazing journey.

The Valley Crossing.....

Soaring the cliffs of Torrey Pines

Feet extending into the sky

Clark carving high above the desert mountains

Southern California Retreat

With winter upon us, we have been talking about doing a quick trip to Southern California again; this time as a collective group.  No time like the present so we make arrangements and off we go.  We defined the meeting place to be a large bushy, desert field near Lake Elsinore, California.  Paul, JoFo, and I fly into Long Beach, pick up Gary and arrive at our destination just a few minutes before JJ and Matt arrive.  Let the games begin.  We all pile in and drive to the top of the mountain to a small launch site just off the main road.  The locals are...well, interesting to say the least.  Paul, Gary, Matt and I quickly find our way into the thermic air.  We fly two more times and spend over 7 hours in the air today.  Awesome ridge soaring mixed with light thermals soaring high above Lake Elsinore.  It felt so good to be in the air for longer than five to ten minutes.  So much so, my stomach muscles are sore from sitting in the harness.



Wanting to take advantage of the time, we drive the several hours necessary up to Santa Barbara to experience some different scenery.  Crammed into a smoke, cockroach, infested Motel 6 (not my favorite environment), the night passes.  Come morning I can't wait to get some fresh air.  By 10:00 a.m. we are high in the desert mountains, teamed with Fly Above All Paragliding, launching off Alternator Peak.  Paul, Gary, Matt and I head into the unfamiliar skies, cravats and all.  There are no landing zones nearby, just miles of trees, so getting out the cravats was vital, and successfully achieved.  With high pressure upon us, it was perhaps one of the more turbulent thermal flights in my career as a pilot.  Nevertheless, we are able to work the difficult lift and get high above the mountains surrounding the Santa Barbara Valley despite getting thrown around in the unsettled air.  JoFo and JJ finally launch into the sky and join us.  We land by early afternoon, and come evening we are all still looking for some airtime.  We rush over to a beach with a small 500 foot cliff above it.  Again, Paul, Gary, Matt and I have to make our feet leave the ground just one more time.  Silly we know, but hey, that is just how we roll.  Forward launching off a plateau in zero wind, off a cliff, out over the ocean and into the sunset is a great way to end another day of flying.  The flight literally lasts only 60 seconds, but the best 60 seconds of the day, and down on the beach....everyone is pure smiles!

Come morning we decide to launch Alternator Peak one more time.  The sky is cloudy today and no thermals at all.  A butter smooth flight extending several miles out into the valley.  In a ditch effort to fly somewhere new we drive a few hours to Saboba.  It is nearing evening and the winds are dead...almost catabatic.  Matt and I decide it is worth the risk.  Little did we know that getting a ride on the ATV would prove to be the most dangerous.  We cling on for dear life as our driver cruises us along the edge of shear drops.  Matt and I launch in slight catabatic conditions, but are able to get off safely.  Again, a super fun, short flight at sunset.  Another great and memorable day in the sky.

We spend the next day sitting on the grass of Torrey Pines just killing time until our flight brings us back home.  Thankful to Gary's hospitality in letting us spend the night and feed us dinner.  As I sit here on the plane and stare out into the dark skies I reflect on what a great adventure this has been.  Great friends and great flying.  It was awesome getting to know Matt a little better and with his enthusiasm, and his willingness to always fly has definitely solidified his place in the DEAF Crew.  As I stare out the window a lyric reflects in my mind "I need freedom now.  And I need to know how...to live my life as its meant to be....."  It feels like for the first time in years I am living my life as it is meant to be....and it feels wonderful!

Southern California

I stare down from 37,000 feet into the darkness below.  The lights of the city are fading away as I fly out of Long Beach, California eastward across the desert.  As I stare out the window, eyes heavy, I ponder on the activities of today.  I guess it all started last night when Mark called and said "Hey, want to go to Southern California and do some paragliding tomorrow?" My knee -jerk reaction, as always..."Absolutely!"  Therefore, at 4:45 a.m. I roll from my bed, hop into the car and head to Salt Lake International to catch my flight.  

Torrey Pines, a cliff launch over the ocean in butter smooth air.  Green grass to launch from, a snack bar, and miles of sandy beach to fly over...what could be better?  How about some altitude for starters, and I could actually do without all the old naked guys standing on the beach below playing volleyball...now that is just 'bad naked.'  Although beautiful, so far as you are looking up, the site becomes quite boring to fly after just a short time.  No real altitude here, but pure brainless flying...it was great.

Near lunch time I find myself an hour away from Torrey Pines in a small place called Blossom Valley.  You could not find a place more different than Torrey.  Dry, dry desert with just prickly plants and barren mountains.  However, the thermals are quite strong, and I decide to launch in the heat of the day against my better judgement.  Thirty minutes into the flight, I am tired of getting thrown around in the washing machine air, and call it quits.  Mark follows suit, glad to be back on the ground.

One more quick flight at Torrey Pines, over the cliff, and down to naked beach.  Pack up the glider, get something to eat, then we are outta here.

Now here I sit at 37,000 feet staring into the darkness.  What a great day flying different sites here in southern California, with a great friend.  I am already looking forward to coming back to here soon, perhaps under better flying conditions.