Soaring

I went soaring / gliding / sailplaning this week. Something I've long wanted to do.

Link to photos. Captions:

1. 1. In the sailplane at Southern California Soaring Academy.
2. 2. The glider, with the pilot behind me.
3. 3. San Gabriel Mountains; golf course in the foreground.
4. 4. Being towed up. The tow plane is visible above a strip of tape on the canopy.
5. 5. California Aqueduct. Golf course on the left, airstrip on the right.
6. 6. Angeles Crest Highway (California Highway 2) in the San Gabriel Mountains.
7. 7. Beyond the mountains, the cloud-covered L.A. basin.
8. 8. Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area.
9. 9. Landing.

Forever, when people mentioned skydiving or hang-gliding, I always said, "No, I'm not graceful enough; I'd break a leg landing. But soaring! That's something I'd like to do!"

It was pretty much what I expected — like flying in any plane, but quieter, lower, and slower.

It took me well over an hour to get there. The weather cooperated — moderate temperatures and no clouds. It's a bit pricey. Once is enough.