Flying the Wing

Did I mention Deke's latest love? No? Well, here it is folks. He has been interested in paragliding for years and just this year made the plunge to get going on learning the art of flying with a "big fan" strapped on his back. The "big fan" is my explanation for this sport and you just have to see it to believe it http://www.ehow.com/video_4468488_forward-launch-paraglider.html

The beginner first must learn to "kite." Kiting is much like flying a huge kite with 3000 strings attached to it with all the strings attached to a harness that is cinched to your torso. Once the "wing" is airborn and stable, with the flier able to control it easily, he is ready to advance to the next phase-strapping a big fan to his back. Once he is able to master the wing and the engine, he is now able to "take off."

Deke is in phase 1. He is mastering flying the wing. He was first taught by a certified instructor and now is only periodically instructed as he practices. He usually goes to the Delphi airport where the open area affords a great practice arena or he goes to a newly-mown hayfield. He is finally getting it after hours and hours of practice. This is not a sport to trifle with, believe me!

Saturday evening he and our youth pastor, Austin, practiced for a couple of hours. I was able to capture a few pictures of their ups and downs. Hang on (hee hee) and I'll continue in the future to blog you the progression right up to the solo flight.

All ready to launch


























Success!

Guess Who Came to Dinner?

Little C-Bear is with us for just a short visit while her mommy is working at the Ft Wayne Ichthus this week. We get to keep her until tomorrow when her other grandma comes to get her.

OK, Nana, where's my breakfast?

Blowing good-bye kisses to Grandpa

All bathed and ready for the day

Nana, did you say juice?

Woolly "Bull"y?

Well, here's a new one for me. I grew up with the folklore concerning the Brown Woolly Bear Caterpillar stories. You know the one: if the woolly has a small brown band around the middle, the winters would be mild, and the larger the band that covered the caterpillar, the more severe the winters would be. Well, I was outside this morning cleaning up my flowerbeds when I saw this anomaly. Does this mean we won't even have a winter?

Honeymoon Happenings 7

What's the old adage-Time Flies When You're Having a Good Time. I haven't blogged in 3 days because we've been on the go so much and have fallen into bed at night totally exhausted. Tonight we checked into our suite early and I even had time to bathe and clean up some.

After Crater Lake, we headed on south into California and visited lava beds in a national park in northern CA and then headed on south to Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was gorgeous and resembled Yellowstone somewhat with the sulfuric fumaroles and vast vistas. Surprised us with its beauty. Yesterday we spent the day in Yosemite National Park. It's breathtaking but there are no pictures nor words to adequately give you the real beauty of the place. You just have to see it for yourself. The only downer associated with the park was the park population. Crowded. It was difficult to really soak in the beauty with so many people crowding around you. Last night we stayed in a resort area between Yosemite and Death Valley. We tried a new hotel chain called "Shilo." DON'T EVER STAY AT A SHILO! When I get home and have time to talk to each of you I will explain, but suffice it to say, I fired off an email to their corporate headquarters last night before I went to sleep. They have not replied yet but believe me they will!

Today we spent the day in Death Valley and again were blown away with the beauty of the area. California really does have it all. Actually the desert is dry and dusty and all those things you envision, but it's surrounded by absolutely breathtaking mountains. We are staying the night in Bakersfield and will head back up north tomorrow. We'll stay at Travis AFB tomorrow night then board our flight home early Saturday morning.

We've had an incredible journey together. It's been fun and educational and romantic. I have loved being with my best buddy for 2 solid weeks with no work schedules or classes to teach or meetings to attend or vegetables to pick! God is so good and has given us a great gift of each other while seeing His gorgeous works of nature.

Sulfuric creek in Lassen National Park














Famous El Capitan in Yosemite




Famous Half Dome in Yosemite. Had to hunt to find a spot without crowds of people around




In Death Valley




20 Mule-Team Borax site. Interesting how they processed the borax in the 1800's




Taking a side trip in Golden Canyon in Death Valley

Yep, that's right. You're glasses aren't foggy. This was the price in Death Valley and we missed the picture of the first gas station in the park. Gas was $4.45!

This was the temp in Death Valley today

Took a side trip on our way to Bakersfield. Visited the famous "Tehachapi Loop" a railroad engineering feat of the late 1800's that routs trains in a loop to get them up the mountains. The train actually crosses over itself and rises 77 feet using booster engines on the rear of the train. Needless to say, Deke was in hogs-heaven.

Honeymoon Happenings 6

We checked out of our oceanside home this morning and headed south toward Crater Lake. On our way, we viewed some incredible sights along the coast. There was fog along the coast extending out into the ocean as far as we could see, but 1/4 mile inward, it was perfectly clear. Just an awesome sight.

Crater Lake was a surprise. We didn't expect to be so wowed but we were moved beyond description. In fact, for Deke, it was almost a spiritual experience. He was just in awe of the majesty and solitude of the setting.

In addition, we experienced almost every climate imaginable. When we drove into the park, the temp was 70+. By the time we climbed to the rim it had dropped 25 degrees. We experienced sunshine, puffy clouds, overcast, rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning. There was absolute silence with the wind whispering through the pines. It was magical. No picture could capture the moment but I'm sending some along to try to give you a taste of what we experienced today.

Footnote: When we entered Crater Lake National Park, we had to pay an entrance fee. The Ranger was explaining to Deke the different options for payment- one time entry, annual fee, American Pass, Golden Eagle etc. When he got to senior citizen, Deke asked the age limit. "Sixty-two," the Ranger replied. "Sign me up," Deke replied. At that the Ranger gave an incredulous look and said, "Sorry, but you're going to have to prove that to me." It made Deke's day! Carded at 62!

"
On the Oregon coast this morning

Do you see the sea lions "sunning" on the rocks?




Crater Lake

Notice the 2 women out on the point

After the hail storm

Honeymoon Happenings 5

Em and Jonny were with us for 2 days here at the ocean. We really didn't do that much; just loved being together. Today we went up the road to eat at a quaint restaurant that serves great clam chowder. I had fried clams but everyone else had the chowder. On the way home we stopped at the aquarium and it was really nice. Em and Jonny left around 9:00 tonight and have a 3 hour drive to Portland. We hated to see them go but we're grateful for the time we had together.

Revisited the Inn at Otter Crest, a place we stayed at overnight when we were moving to Washington state 30 years ago

Deke and Em on the rocks











Flying a kite on the beach



Goofing around











At the Clam Chowder place



Yes, we really are in California



Jelly fish at the aquarium



Playing euchre



Not wanting her to go



A pooped Jose

Honeymoon Happenings 4

Spent the whole day traveling along the CA/OR coasts making our way to our rental home on the ocean. Arrived here around 4:30 with Em and Jonny arriving 1/2 hour later. The home is adequate although not what I had envisioned. We had steaks on the grill, walked on the beach played "Aggravation" and star-gazed forever.

Getting into the California thing




Scenic pull-off







Em and Jonny



Jonny taking pictures off of our deck