Fall From Glory

Well, so much for videos and newspaper articles on the glories of paragliding! Last evening, Deke and Austin suited up to demonstrate the sport to Deke's brother, Max, and his wife, Dianne. We were all gathered in front of the barn while the guys revved up their motors and prepared for take-off. Austin got airborne easily and was circling in the pattern waiting for Deke when Deke punched in the power and started his run. For some reason his parachute fell off to the right, and in trying to correct the "wing" Deke ran straight toward one of our culverts. At the last minute he tried to jump the ditch only to land on our paved lane on his knees. He flipped on his side and rammed the propeller into the road. It splintered. Knees got bloodied and punctured some. Nothing hurt but his pride.

No more flying in the near future, at least until the new prop arrives.

Ah, the fall from glory!

Splintered propeller!

Bloody knees