This morning we participated in a public canoe program on Iona Island.  I managed to secure all but two spots for our friends:

M and his friends load up:

I was with Trish and Mrs. L:

We rafted up and one of our guides talked about the marsh:

Along the bank, Marsh Mallow was blooming.  This plant’s starchy root was the original ingredient used to make marshmallows:

We explored some side passages in the marsh:

In this alcove, our guides told us about the invasive Phragmites grass that has taken over the marsh.  Everything from RoundUp to goats have been used to try to control this non-native species:

In another portion of the marsh, the Phragmites has been eliminated.  In its place, Cattails grow in the background while Dogbane lines the shore:

Looking north, we can see the Bear Mountain Bridge and the abandoned Naval munitions buildings on Iona Island:

Back on shore, I photographed the marsh from Iona Island:

In the afternoon, I drove down to Sea Bright, the northernmost town on the Jersey Shore, to fly with a few locals.  I kited the wing to check the lines:

The wind was blowing at about 12 MPH, so getting the wing set up was a little tough, but after a reverse launch I was airborne for flight 108:

Flying south.  To the left is the Atlantic Ocean:

Flying north:

One of my fellow pilots:

The wind was blowing so hard that my ground speed into the wind was about 5 MPH, so my landing was extremely slow.  I landed on one foot just for fun:

Great flight!

The north end of the beach was almost empty:

What a great day!

This morning I got up before dawn and drove up to Randall Airport near Middletown, New York.  As I arrived, two hot air balloons were taking off.  I set up my wing and prepared to launch:

Liftoff of flight #107:

I circled to gain altitude before crossing the runway:

And away:

My destination for today was this ancient lake bed known as the Black Dirt Region:

Winds at 1200 feet above the ground were smooth and blowing at 9 to 11 MPH from the west, but as I got down lower, shearing and perhaps rotor made for bumpy flying so I didn’t get lower than 200 feet above the ground:

On the way back I flew over this harness racing track.  A horse and cart are visible on the leftmost edge of the track’s grey “lane”:

Returning to the airport:

Circling around for final approach:

Once I landed, I took a closer look at fellow PPG pilot Paul’s Emergency Response Studio, parked here at the airport:

I love the translucent wall section and the geodesic homage to Buckminster Fuller:

This bumper garden and trellis is fantastic:

This morning I got up early and drove out to the airport in Warwick, NY to fly.  I launched flight #106:

Coming back to land:

In terms of interesting flying, it’s no Glamis, but it was fun to get up in the air again!