mrmiah

It's happened and how I wish I could email you guys pictures.
Yesterday was my first paragliding flight and it was amazing. There
was a big race and the sky was littered with wings hovering over the
Marriott waiting for the start signal to be pulled. The racers had to
fly along the beach abut 15 k north, around a turn point, and back
then about 10 k to the south before flying back to the launch site in
the middle. I was in the air for the dash to the finish line. I was
flying with Jose, the owner of Peru Fly and we found a thermal (a
pillar of air that is rising) that rocketed us two or three thousand
feet over the city. It was amazing staying cranked over in a tight
turn trying not to fall out of the thermal. The city stretched below,
the ocean disappearing in the horizon, dozens of paragliders racing
beneath us, and me experiencing all this from underneath a wing of
nylon made for a most memorable day. The trip down was even more
eventful. We had gained so much altitude that he could risk some big
spirals down. Jose cranked into a turn so tight that I could see the
wing in front or me instead of over my head as we bled off all of our
altitude spinning to the earth. Wow those wings can generate some
G´s!

As fun as that was, I think the highlight has been learning to fly. I
get an hour or so of ground handling practice everyday. It's great
being in the air, but I am thoroughly enjoying learning how the wing
works and feeling comfortable underneath it. Next week we're probably
going to go to a different hill so I can have my first solo flight.
Now that truly is something to look forward too!

I've got lots more to talk about, but this Sunday morning is beautiful
and I´m going to go skate down to the launch for the second stage of
the racesâ¦â¦

I hope everyone is well and thanks to all for your notes and encouragement!

miah