Up Close and Personal..

As evidenced by the lenticular formations in the background of this shot, the wind was really honking today at Blanchard Hill.. I made the trip fully expecting to find it blown out..

When I arrived, Conrad and Ben were just starting to set up.. Apparently it had been blowing harder all day and had just begun to abate when I arrived at 4:00.. Timing is everything..!

Angry Sky, Smooth as Silk..

The eagles seemed to be enjoying themselves in the smooth ridge lift.. I gaggled with a family of five or six for a short time.. The entire lot of them made quite a point of ignoring my blundering through the sky.. They simply amused themselves by diving on each other and whistling their little eagle tune to each other..

San Juan Islands..

Most of the flight was spent out on Chuckanut Mountain.. Given the velocity of the wind, you'd think that the altitudes would have been better than 2,600 feet..

But, there was a northwest component above that level that seemed to cap off any additional climbing potential..

Out Over the Bay..

Even out over the water was not really working today.. Usually, on a big wind day, there is good lift out away from the hill..

Check out the windy looking sky.. The Mount Rainier forecast indicated velocities around  70 mph today.. From the look of the sky, I don't doubt it at all.. Maybe it was a good thing that we didn't get very high after all..

Classic Blanchard Afternoon..

As you can see from the wind lines on the water, there was no shortage of wind.. Blanchard Hill can be maddening; either no wind, or too much wind..

Launch conditions were demanding.. But, once in the air, the flight was pretty nice for another after work adventure..!

Like the pictures..?
Sign the Guest Book..!