Beach'n 2001..

I only spent one day at this year's Beach'n.. But, what a great day it was..! I launched a little after 2:00 and groveled my way up and across the Columbia River Gorge..

When I arrived on the other side, myself and a number of other pilots found workable lift right away and stuck with it until we gained enough to make Mud Springs..

Thermal Vultures..

Things started out slow at Mud Springs.. A group of us circled together in vain for quite some time.. When we finally split up, it seemed like everyone flew to exactly the right spot for the goods..

It was easy going past the bump in the road until I found a great area of sink that was immediately followed by solid 1,200 fpm all the way to 9,000 feet..

Mansfield, WA..

While probably not a valid turn-point photo, this was close enough for me.. I had this great plan to fly back into that 1,200 fpm thermal.. Not a chance.. All I found was 1,200 fpm down instead..!

Eventually I made my way down to 4,400 feet.. Hooked a nice little dust devil field and I was in business again..way down to 4,400

Jamison and Grimes..

It was not the most visual day that I've flown.. The non-descript sky washed out all of the spring colors.. 

Moses Coulee stretches it's way to the south towards the Ephrata area..

McNeil Canyon..

I struggled a little bit on the way back.. Someone told me that they got back on two thermals.. Not me though.. I had to really work at it..

I guess I was just out of phase with the cycles or something.. No worries though.. I made the trip in around two hours.. Not too bad for a blue day..!

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