Saturday my flying Buddy Jim Kennedy and I drove three hours North of Redding to a site 15 miles West of Medford, Oregon and got a little flying in. WoodRat is a fairly small site with some XC potential and sits on a ridge that overlooks the junction of three narrow valleys that support numerous vineyards and wineries. One such by the name of LongSword has wind socks in its field and welcomes HG pilots. So Jim and I arrived at the primary LZ (not the winery)in time to walk the field before the SHUTTLE ($10 each for out of towners)left for the ten mile ride to the top. No problems here looking for a driver. On launch around 12:30 the winds were light and we set up and watched a half dozen Bag Wingers launch off the huge and well manicured launch and head out the three to one ride toward the LZ. A couple of them found some thermal activity at a point on a ridge in between and got up for awhile. At 1419 with some small Cummies forming upwind I launched into a strong cycle and following the previous flights headed for the point and sure enough found a reliable thermal producer and got up. Jim launched shortly thereafter and also got up. There we were, two 60+ year olds owning the whole flying site (except for the Golden Eagle who came over to check us out). We flew from thermal to thermal staying in the area until things quieted down a little over an hour later. I elected to land in the primary LZ and Jim went on out to LongSword. My LZ was pretty long with power lines, trees, cattle feeders and pens, and a dried water hole on the approach end. I set up over these obstructions and S turned down to turn to final only to find no penetration in the 20+ mph winds. Boy that Falcon comes down fast when it is not going forward. I only had two choices, land on top of the 50 feeding cows or put it into the dried 50 foot watering hole. I came to an abrupt stop in a black berry bramble at the far side of the hole and got to break down with the cattle looking at me like I did something wrong. Meanwhile Jim called me to tell me he was breaking down, drinking a complementary glass of white wine and listening to a jazz guitarist serenading a crowd of pleased hang gliding witnesses. I learn something most flights and this one is no exception. Always land where the LZ is easily reached, unobstructed and has complementary wine available. Do not under any circumstances allow myself to get even a bit downwind of obstructions, and continue to wear knee pads. Hope you all had some good flying this weekend. Hoping to see you all at the Craters in October.

Chuck Park