Passed this the other day on my way to my next test town. It is at the Boyscout Headquarters in Birmingham, Al. One Nation, Under GOD. United we stand, and we will never forget !

Saw this while leaving town. Massive storm there ! tired to catch some of the lightning strikes, but missed them. Oh well, maybe next time. I am at a great hampton Inn this week. Great staff, nice rooms, fair price and a close buffet, haha! Should be home tomorrow evening. Adel, Georgia is a nice place to visit, would want to live here tho. No mountain anywhere close ! haha!

Now that you are here take a minute to enjoy yourself. Stop for a second (I know your busy working),just for a minute, listen to the music and travel in your mind to the boat in the picture. Imagine the smell and the feel of the ocean, the wind on your face, and take a deep breath. Now, isn't that better????? okay, now------get back to work, haha. Just kidding.

It was a gorgious day to be on the ocean. The name of this boat----" Slow Dancing". Even tho' I had a good time here,,, I missed not being able to take a couple of dance classes this week.
I also missed some quality flying time. Its Demo days at Lookout, and when I arrived at the party, there was 14 gliders in the air. I didnt have time to run up top, set up, and fly in time before sunset.
Like my Dad always taught me,,, you dont work--- you dont eat. And the bills, they do have to be paid. When I hit the lottery, I will be able to sail, Fly,& dance as much as I want to. Well, never hurts to dream !

Let the driving to US????? yikes. A Greyhound bus had an unscheduled stop today outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Think this shark likes to eat at Hooters. But, then again-----who don't. I only go there for the food ! ! ! Thats my story, and I am sticking to it !

Where's Peter Pan??

Plane coming into land at a Putt- Putt course.

Work was tough here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The tower I was testing was less than an 1/8th of a mile from the beach, soooo while I was working.................well, someone has to do it !

This reminded me of a picture that my Mom painted a long time ago.

I have always loved the beach. Even when I was a kid, when my family took vacations down at pensacola, Florida, or Ft. Walton beach I always loved everything about it. The sounds, the people, the sand everwhere, and I mean everywhere, haha Now as I am a little older (cough), I still feel the positive energy from there. Nice to experience again after all these years.

Do you see the tower that I am suppose to be testing??

I had finished testing all three sectors of this particular tower before I ever saw it. Was actually heading to the next tower for me to test. Wonder why the coordinator was having a hard time getting me to it?? If it was a lighter green color---I would have Never seen it! Doesn't matter if I see it tho, as long as it gets tested, and is FCC compliant.

I got these next posts in an email from a friend. Since I couldnt pass it on to everyone, thought I would put it on here. I would vote for those pictures also. Semper Fi !

First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as one of the most powerful in the process: "See the people in the windows? They'll sit right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They're going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.

Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."

This was my trial this morning. These towers, according to the coordinates, were suppose to be a couple of miles apart. As the crow flies. Something wrong somewhere, haha.

About 10 or 11 years ago, this young man Mike came to me with a problem. He didnt have a place to stay, a job, or any money. He had just had a huge fight with his sister and she had kicked him to the curb. He had already enlisted into the Navy, however bootcamp was still 4 months away. So he worked when I worked, and before I knew it I was putting him on a bus. I dont have any children, however, I felt like I was sending my own son away. Powerless, helpless with a feeling of pride for what he was doing.
What did this world have in store for this young man? Anyway, he got into trouble as most young men do, and chose not to listen to what I tried to tell him. Do they ever listen?? Did I at his age? He severed all ties with me until about 6 months ago. He now teaches martial arts in a dojo in Redding, California. This is his wife of 9 years with him, Heather. I never thought that any woman could keep him in line but, she is doing a good job of it. They are great together.
He was coming thru on his way to his dads, and stopped by for a couple of days. After such a long time, it did my heart good to see him again.

This was the view at this saturdays party here at Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Kids coloring eggs for Easter. They are suppose to hide some plastic ones tomorrow, so we dont have to smell the ones that they have missed, haha! I hope everyone has a safe, funn, and Blessed Easter ! ! ! He is Alive !

Being a photographer by trade, I would vote for this one to be the most intense and for timing on the shot !March 12th ~ Sedalia, Mo.
A day that 60 tornados spun through Missouri bringing baseball size hail, destruction, and fatalities.

Happy Easter everyone. There will be more post about Easter to come, just thought this was funny and I wanted to make you smile. Lots of negative posts here lately. Hopefully, they are wont be anymore like those EVER, but that is a part of life also.

Les really enjoyed playing for her friends.

This picture was taken at the New Year's Eve party at Rody & Rachael's house. You just never know when, where, or who is going to leave this world next. Be sure you let the ones that you care about know it. We will miss our friend, Les. I hope there is a band in Heaven. Her death was not flying related.

This little guy is up for adoption. He was the friend of our departed friend, Les. Which passed away on April 1st. He is about a year old, and wont get much bigger than he is. He is kennel trained, and a great personality. Just send me an email and I will give you more details.

This is our new compass for the ramp. At straight North west, at the top of the point, you can see the little glass insert that I posted about earlier. Very fancy piece of work !

This is part of the new launch that is being built here at Lookout mtn. flight park. When completed it will curve down for a radial effect. The square hay bails are resting on the footers. Going to be nice when its done. You can see part of the old one in the background.

The break in the storm today, was a very welcome site. Especially after what the folks in Tennessee went thru on friday day, and into the night. I am sorry for all the people that lost family members & friends.
I think this new video that I put on here says it all. I don't think it needs any comments from me. Ray Stevens says it better than I ever could. I had never heard the song before, and I am still wondering why. Maybe it isnt politically correct for some people. Well, I would say that I was sorry, but I'm not going to lie about it. If it offends you,,,, there will probably be alot of stuff on here that does. It has stuff about God, Jesus, honor, respect, friendship, family, duty, love, peace, war, the past, the future, and things that you probably wont understand or like. But, your welcome to read it anyway if you so desire. Who knows, something might rub off on ya! haha

Glad thats not my boat out there!

The coordinator today---BJ was trying to get me in place to test a tower, well, she wouldnt believe me when I told her I couldnt go any futher down the road, because a big boat was in the way, haha! Guess she will now.

New meaning of the phrase---Dry docked

Here is a Link to all of Dana Dows Wakes pictures.
. http://photos.visioncomm.net/index.cfm/index.cfm?Lib=15

I was in Baton Rouge this morning, New Orleans this afternoon, arggg. This morning I was on this road testing a tower, and it reminded me that I hadn't talked to a brother Mason, great friend, and the best Darn mechanic in Huntsville, AL. So I called him and told him where I was. He said that he looks at this blogspot all the time & didnt believe where I was, so I said,,, okay well, I will just have to post something to prove to ya! ! ! Guess what his name is??????? Say hi to Bear for me!

Good optimistic news for Saints fans for the superdome.

I am posting these next pics for a couple of guys that work with me, Chuck & Jeff. They are coordinators, and I am a lowly drive tester. I can get under a snake, Im so low on the totem pole. HOWever, I can take some pictures for them, since they are so good to me. hehe


Kewl artwork in the courtyard done by some employees for an art show.

www.royalsonestano.com take a look at the gallery!
enjoy to pics
The interior courtyard, with huge gold fish.

Registration area and lobby.

The hallway of stores at the hotel.

I am dedicating this post the Kerry & her family for their recent loss.

This is a picture of a very honorable man and his lovely wife. Dana Roderick Dowe---April 29, 1927 to January 15, 2006. There is so much about this man that I could go into, such as his accomplishments of being a Shriner, an 80 year old hang glider pilot, etc... however, I think it is enough to say that this good man was loved by all that knew him. I will have a link in the next day or two, so that you can see all the pictures from this evening if you like. In my opinion, it would be well worth your time to get to know a little more about him.

A very prestigious award. The Air force Commendation Medal of Honor, for actions above and beyond the call of duty from 1967-1970. Enough said on this !

This is the start of the run to release his ashes, as per his request. So that a part of him will always be here with us.

This is a pretty good shot of his ashes being released.

Terry Presley & his partner did a fly over to start the ceremony this afternoon. Very fitting that it was a fly day for us as well. As you can see, there was 5 gliders over launch as they passed them. You may have to click on some of these pictures to really get a good view of them.

Inside view of the slide show they showed of some of this good mans life.
There was a catered meal afterwards that gets 5 stars from me. The Smoked Salmon was the best that I have had in a very, very long time. Unfortunately, there was NO left overs, hehe.

There was so many people at the wake, that many chose to look in from outside. It was much cooler out there than inside. Plus,,, see the kegs , haha.

This is the view of the property at the clubhouse during the wake tonight. The most vehicles I have ever seen in this parking lot at one time. Massive amounts of people here for this, he was a very cared for and Loved man by many. I wish I had known him better.

This is inset into the concrete of the new launch. Every pilot that flys here, will have to walk over this. Eric, which is a glass blower/maker by trade and a good pilot as well, donated this great piece of work.

This is my boss that I work for, and the person responsible for helping alot of us hang glider pilots with good jobs. I could never thank this lady enough for what she has done for me, and the rest of us. This job is not for everyone. Alot of people cant take all the traveling. Which is understandable if you have a significant other, or kids. Or, you may just get burned out. However, she has helped all of us in the community, and for that, in my opinion she is the greatest. She just landed after a great flight. Just one question----she just took her helment off. How does she get her hair to look that good afterwards, hahaha! Proud to call her & Alain ( her husband) friends.

Its Saturday, I'm off ( everyone knew that), pretty day outside, 74 degrees, It's finally feeling like spring time,,,,,,,,,,,, sooooooo I put this song " Get this party started " on----can you guess why??? hahaha