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

There's a Springtime Ahead

Music is an important part of my life. I like all kinds and flavors. I am particularly drawn to the lyrical aspect of music, and often find myself dwelling on melodic words from time to time. This winter has been the longest, coldest, grayest winter I can remember in recent years. Through the gray times I have often been reminded of a favorite lyric from an acoustical performance by Pearl Jam. The song has a rather sad tone, but in my opinion represents one of the best songs ever written. A particular line echoes "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead." I have been looking forward to that springtime, both literally and metaphorically all winter long.

It feels like spring. View from my house.

The grass in my yard has been covered in snow since late October. There has been two feet of ice hanging off my rain gutters, with icicles extending all the way to the ground. Then, all of the sudden it seems to have happened. The ice has miraculously disappeared and I can see patches of grass again. The air has a musty smell to it as the ground is trying to breath once again...and two days ago I actually felt a thermal lift, and with it a smile crossed my face.

I love winter, and continue to fly just as intensely during that season as I do throughout all the other months of the year. However, with Spring comes lifting air again, which means longer, higher flights, and the ability to actually travel somewhere other than down. As I rolled out of bed this morning and glanced at the weather forecast I quickly realized that today the air is going to lift!

Waiting for the right thermal cycle.

The early afternoon finds me and Matt hiking up the familiar trail to Lone Peak in a light north wind. Approaching the first open meadow it is clear that warm air is rising....perhaps we launch from here? Saves us from hiking another 1500 vertical feet. I lay out my glider amidst the breathing grass, bushes and deer droppings (only in the west). We wait for the right cycle of thermal waves, watching the vultures effortlessly circle upward. Then we see the grass move, and feel the cycle begin.

8,000 feet above the Wasatch

Lift the risers, feel the pull and then step into the sky. It does not take long for instinctive skills to kick in as a response to the violent early spring thermal that just slammed my wing. The focus sharpens and the texture of the air now resonates through every one of my human senses. Several minutes later, climbs in excess of 8,000 feet, I continue to circle and take in the magnificent views of the snow covered Wasatch Mountains. I have missed it these several months... it is good to be back up here. After several minutes Matt and I both decide to turn west and fly out to The Point for the first cross country flight of the year. As I cross the valley and fly in towards the final ridge it is clear that no air is lifting here and about halfway down the ridge I turn back and land in the neighborhood park.

With my feet now firmly back on the ground I feel a new sense of energy and revitalization. I am sure we will see a few more snow storms in the coming weeks, but now I actually feel the realization that there IS a springtime ahead.

Just Look Up

Every so often I have moments of quiet reflection; brief pauses in life where I actually stop and realize how truly lucky I am.  The last few months have been difficult ones for me, and unfortunately I see many more challenges that probably lay ahead. The recipe for this last month has been unbearable cold, mixed with thick gray smog, so thick you can actually taste it. With weeks on end without ever seeing the sun or stars. All wrapped up in a day in, day out career that for some reason continues to be undervalued and ever slipping into a common cheap commodity. It feels at times that the cold, gray trenches of misery are going to last for the rest of ones life...then I just look up through the smog and see the blue sky smiling upon me.

Locked in a small winter thermal in the mountains above Provo, Utah

The act of just looking up is forever a reminder of how truly lucky I am, and really how awesome my life is. So many people on this earth never get to experience the common miracles I take for granted almost every day. Although riddled with bouts of misery, the last month has produced breathtaking visions of beauty and memories that have forever etched their way into the history of my soul. I continue to reverence the absolute miracle of flight. So often while in the sky, carving the textures of air I find myself talking out loud to higher powers. Often these conversations revolve around the fact that so many people only dream of flying like a bird, no motors or metal, just wings; and here I am actually doing it....how truly lucky I am. Every time my feet leave the ground, I try and make it a point to remember that miracle.

I am so thankful for a great wife and kids who are always so supportive and understanding when the sky calls my name, which is most days. Thankful to great friends, near and some far, who share the same unquenchable passion for the sky. Thankful for the memories we, as the DEAF Crew, have forged together through the years. I am also thankful for the many hours of actually hiking and flying alone this month with only my thoughts and the views of nature to keep me company.

Yes, I am a truly lucky individual surrounded by wonderful miracles, knowing that if I just look up, there is solace to be found in the sky!

Carving the blue sky - Skywalk Arriba 2

Solo hike and fly above the smog layer.

Enjoying the clean mountain air above the pollution.

Paul and I on a ski-n-fly in Big Cottonwood as a storm bears down. - Skywalk Arriba 2

Solo flight off the lower meadows of Lone Peak...just me and the deer.

Solo soaring session on the South Side...a rare day indeed - Skywalk Tequila 3