Summer 2018, Day 26: First Paragliding Free-Flight

After a second night at the State campground in Half Moon Bay, it’s time to leave.  While waiting for everyone to get ready, I partially disassembled the motorcycles to tighten up some bolts that had vibrated loose.  I applied threadlock compound to the bolts, then reassembled the bike:

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We said goodbye to the beach:

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We drove over to the day use area and unhitched the RV:

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I drove up to Pacifica to meet Mark for a tandem flight.  Mark flew over to our launch location:

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We hitched up to the wing and ran off this cliff:

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With no engine, we relied on updrafts from on-shore winds deflecting upwards along the cliffs:

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We flew north towards San Francisco:

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We had some company:

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We flew past the Olympic Club, where my grandfather was a member:

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Remnants of the old Route 1:

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Thanks Mark, that was amazing!

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Meanwhile, back at the RV….

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A kitten stopped by to say hello.  I found its sibling under the hood of the truck this morning, keeping warm:

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I drove the truck south a bit and launched my PPG for flight #120:

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Right after I launched, a wall of fog moved in and the temperature dropped dramatically.  Since the air mass below the fog was still warm, it began to rise through the colder upper layer, essentially generating thermals.  It got a bit bumpy, so I landed:

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Views of the beach from the day use area:

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We hitched up at sunset and drove north over the Bay Bridge:

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We continued north to overnight at the Walmart of Willows, California.  See the alternating yellow line on the trip map for today’s drive.

Summer 2018, Day 25: Rosie the Riveter NHP, Pt Reyes NS, Golden Gate NRA, Ft Point NHS, SF Maritime NHP
Summer 2018, Day 27: Lassen Volcanic NP

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