We all must do a little work, before we can play. WELL worth it today.

A couple pilots really got high today. Here Christopher, and Candice are enjoy the afternoon sky. The conditions were a LOT better earlier in the day. I will learn someday not to trust the weather reports, and just watch the sky more! Glad I'm not the only one that made that mistake today.

We had some really good pilots in the air today. Here Carl is trying to hook a thermal. As you can see, it was a beautiful day today.

David Giles was on deck for today also. The ramp is great for light day launches. It was an all thermal day. So, if you didnt find one, you were in the LZ in a short.

Is this your dog???? haha

John Stokes, a 31 year flying veteran was on the ramp today to enjoy the air. Thats all that I am going to say on this matter, as he is a great friend of mine. I will let the picture speak for it's self. It's a very rare sight for him, I just got lucky with this shot !

Terry Presley recieved a new plane today. I really dont know how well it will fly,,,however,,,, if it can fly------He can fly it !

The sunset tonight was awesome. It was more red than I have seen in a very long time. Gorgious! Wish I had arrived earlier at the party, so that I could have taken this from her back deck ! But, we take them when I can, otherwise, I would miss them.

This was the host of the party tonight, Liz. She's raising her glass to sample one of the drinks being prepared by Rick Sr., the bartender for the night. The party's name-------Mojito Night. A drinks with rum, and fresh ground mint leaves. It was also a house warming. It was apparent that he was doing a GREAT job making the drinks. He had many repeat customers.

Her house is great. It has a spectacular view of the valley from her deck out back. Shawn has been the one responsible for clearing most of the ridge side brush and trees. He is the one standing on the side side, with a blue shirt on. One of the hardest working men I know. Its always good to see John and Dale Stokes, the owners of S.O.A.R. ( Save Our American Rapters). Theres a link in the side index.

There was a nice showing for the party tonight.

The food was excellent tonight. It didnt look like this for long. Had some good german dishes that was served.

Some more party people.

I actually got to play the piano tonight. It has been way too long. If I would have had my music, I would have played for hours. I was very impressed with other people that could play too. I never knew that Tonya played classical, and Liz is good too. Our community has so much talent it is hard to even name them all. Claire does silk painting, Scott has an airbrush business, Don Murdoch has a music store, alot of guitar players, writers, drummers, glass blowers, painters,etc....plus most of us fly and that in its self is an art form. Barry needs to work on his singing as much as I need to work on my playing, hahaha! Just kidding bro!

In March, 2005, this song was performed at a Diamond Rio concert.
They received an immediate standing ovation, and continue to do so
every time they perform it! Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play
it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently,
the song was never released to the public. If this song speaks to your
heart, share it with
friends and loved ones. Then let us cease being the silent majority and
join together -- not
as a particular political party, but as Americans!

Click here --http://gunbarrelcityradio.com/InGodWeStillTrust.wmv
It has a slide show with the link. I got this from a friend in an email. If
you enjoy it,pass it on to your friends.

I took this picture the other night. I think this goes great with this
wonderful song.

This was kind of a hard week. Had two days of day testing, and then two more nights of testing. From 11pm until 7-8 am. It might not be so hard to do if I was use to it. However, I'm not as young or as good looking as I use to be. I remember a time that I could stay up all night, and then work 8 and never be worse for the wear. Those days are Gone, haha! This is a lovely park, especially this time of day. I have posted pics of this park a week or so ago. Would like to see a play here, sometime. I am back home now. For how long, dont know yet. Maybe I will get in some ballroom dancing this week?! Rather be working, but you dont always get what you want ! Actually, I would rather be heading to New Jersey, but hey, thats just me!

The lights on the bridge that cross the river are nice.

Sunrise over the Horseshoe's gambiling boat.

I liked this shot because of the other sign in the background. Alot of people like horse racing though.

Entrance to the horse track.

Looks like a storm ahead, while heading home. It was some bad weather, for sure. At this point, I didnt care much, was motivated to get it on home.

Picture of the bonfire tonight. A couple of us had a nice laugh at it. And I have to put this disclaimer here: No animals were harmed while taking this photo. I dont dislike cats, honest. Ask my Dad, hehe

The only time you will see these, are at night, thus its name. They smell great too. Hummingbirds love them. Alot of people may not know the name, like me. So, I did some research and found out that they are called: Ipomoea alba. More commonly named, Moonflower. Its leaves feel almost like velvet.

Rick Jr. doing what he loves to do. And, he's good at it. What a nice lovely evening here. Temp was about 55, bonfire, great food & friends. Wasn't as many as normal. Guess the lack of a keg had something to do with that, haha!

Steve Irwin was The Crocodile Hunter. I have to admit I enjoyed his show. His flare, stage presence, his over the top antics. I know some people from Perth, and other places in OZ, and some of them thought he was a bit too dangerous, and played the accent a little too much. I think he got his message out to the world in the best way he knew how. I feel it is a great loss to the world of conservation ! ! He died the way that he lived. Happy trails, Mate !

I flew SAR( search and rescue) for over a year while stationed in Japan. This is not a trick photo, I know this is impressive, however, they do much more that this pales in comparison to. I have seen it first hand, and was in the middle of it. At least these guys had a house to rest on, haha.
I recieved this in an email, and thought I would pass it on. I am still in Shreveport, Louisiana. I hope the towers pass tomorrow. More work is starting to pop now that summer vacations are over. Not soon enough for my taste, haha
My Dad sent this link to me. It is the best presentation that I've seen for the AirForce! Good stuff! http://patriotfiles.org/AirPower.htm

-- "This photo was taken by a soldier in Afghanistan of a helo rescue mission. The pilot is a PA Guard guy who flies EMS choppers in civilian life. Now how many people on the planet you think could set the tailsection of a chopper down on the roof top of a shack on a steep mountain cliff and hold it there while soldiers load wounded men in the rear??? If this does not impress you ... nothing ever will. Gives me the chills and a serious case of the vertigo ... I can't even imagine having the nerve ... much less the talent and ability ... God Bless our military!! "

They have some beautiful sunsets here. Saw this across the cottonfields, and just couldnt pass it up!

Out in the flatlands of southern Louisiana, on my way to my new deployment, This cloud popped up. This picture was taken about an hour before the sunset picture. Amazing how the weather quickly changes. This may have been the start of all of those storms last night.

These are stacks of picked and bundled cotton before they head to the mill. I have some friends up north that has never seen cottonfields up close and person. Reminds me of that old song----"Those cotton fields back home".

Tonight at our weekly saturday night party, Ken gave Dottie her birthday present early. Hint-----it's tuesday. We asked him about his pull to get such a gorgious moonrise as a present, but he just laughed. He didnt reveal any secrets. This picture doesnt do it justice. When the moon first comes up, it rises quickly. So, getting a timed shot is tough. Nothing like the view when it first came up tonight tho. Specatular. Hey Ken,,, for Christmas-- I would like..... haha!
Happy birthday Dottie ! !

Yesterday, channel 3 TV news came out and did a segment on Lookout Mountain flight park. Eric, the tandem pilot did a great job on cam, and in the air, as usual. One of the more positive pieces that I have ever seen done about our great sport! Here is the link to read it, and there's even the video on the page that was aired. Be sure you check it out also! http://www.wrcbtv.com/news/index.cfm?sid=3215

The same evening that we had the Dade county mountain rescue squad here, Ellen Ireland honored us with her singing. She's a great upcoming female singer. Here are a couple of links to find out more about her, and dates that you can see her:
http://www.ellenireland.com/
and her MySpace link is :
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=29321390
where she has a couple of songs posted for your enjoyment.

She had some people dancing this evening.

This is the article that Doris wrote for the papers here in Dade County. This will be the picture that she uses for her plaque. I was honored to be asked to take them. I was lucky that Jono was unavalible, haha.

The hang glider pilots of Lookout Mountain held a benefit for the Dade County Mountain Rescue Squad at Lookout Mountain Flight Park on Sunday, September 3, 2006. Many rescue members attended a cookout organized by Doris Pollari and volunteers from the hang gliding community.
This was the 10th anniversary of fund raising events the hang glider pilots have held to benefit this group of highly trained volunteers. Most of the funds go toward the purchase of equipment including hundreds of feet of rescue rope, carabineers, webbing products, rescue pulleys, harnesses and a rescue basket. This group is not funded by the county and, so far, the only money donated to the Squad has come from the hang gliding community.
Dade County Mountain Rescue's team is comprised of volunteers from different fire and rescue departments who perform rescues for Cloudland Canyon, caves, hang gliding, lost person searches and citizens falling off the bluff.
A total of $1,500 (with more pledged) was raised at the benefit and presented to Dade County Mountain Rescue Squad. Donations to this organization would be greatly appreciated, contributions may be sent to Shan Anderson at P.O. Box 693, Trenton, GA 30752.
In recognition of the 10th anniversary of generous contributions made by Lookout Mountain Flight Park's community, the Dade County Mountain Rescue Squad presented a plaque to the Flight Park and Doris Pollari thanking them for their decade of fund raising efforts.
The members of Lookout Mountain Flight Park were thanked for generously donating time and money to make this event a success and for their continued support.

HEY--watch those teeth!!!!!
From looking at this picture, you would never know that this woman is the number #1 woman hang glider pilot in the world, would you? Kari Castle has broken more records, and done more positive things for our sport, than I could ever possibly list on here. I dont know her personally, but I do admire all of her accomplishments. Would like to fly the Owens Valley sometime. Really big air out there!
These next few pictures are from Judy Hildebrand, a valued member of the US womens world team.

This is the US Womens World Team. From left to right is,,,,Rayen Permenter, Linda Salamone, Lauren Tjaden, Judy Hildebrand, and Kari Castle. Notice the Ultra-light in the background coming in to land. What a perfectly timed shot.

This is all of the ladies that competed in this years World competition. 1st place went to the Germanys, 2nd place was the ladies of the U.S.A., and the Russians (only two participated) took the bronze. You see Claire with the team here. She didnt fly this year because of some health reasons. However, they couldnt leave her out of the picture, she is a big part of this team . I am quiet sure they missed her in the air. And who knows, they probably would have taken 1st place with her skills & points added into the teams efforts.

The Team with their drivers, and support crew. It's almost impossible to enjoy your cross country flying while fighting the thoughts of retrieval. It really takes a load off your mind when you can look down and see them down there following you along your path, where ever it may lead you. Havent figured out why Mike Barber is in here tho'.

I think the team was trying to get a spot on a truck commerical with this one----makes me want to buy a truck,,,, a little, haha There were alot of antics this year I heard. Had to be a fun competition.

Have a great Labor Day !! ! !

A very common site here in Louisiana. Even in the Shreveport area.

This is Mikey & Lucas. Mikey is one of the best tandem pilots Lookout mountain flight park has ever had. He is taking his 6 year old son for his first hang gliding ride today. Notice the huge smiles. If you think that ones big, you should have seen it afterwards !
If I am not badly mistaken, I think we do approximately 1,500 tandems here a year. From 6 years old to people in their 90's. For some, it is truely a once in a lifetime experience. However, for some, it is just a start on their road to heights amongst the clouds.

How would you like this view for a backyard? See the swingset on the right side? I would bet that they dont sit there close to dark ! I can't even imagine all of the wildlife that comes thru there. Some of them are probably not the most friendly creatures to be around!

I worked in the oil field years ago as a deck hand, as back-up tongs. Very dangerous work, but the pay was great. You see them scattered all over the country side in Louisiana, and Texas. This is a double stack Oil rig, in case you've never seen one before.

This is a small oil pumping station. This is also a very common sight here in the north part of the state.