Tonights party was two fold. It was Eric's 30th birthday party, and our 5th annual Chili Cookoff.
Scott was also in from California. During the slow flying season, it is always good to have any excuse to get together with friends.
There was 16 different chili entries this year. Both the number of entries, and people attending gets bigger every year.

There was somewhere around 70 people that showed up tonight. Maybe more.

Tami, the lady on the left, had a pot of chili in the contest. Was Rick Sr. a judge? If he was,,,,I wonder if that envelope is a bribe??? hmmm. just kidding,,, he wasn't a judge. Just thought it was a funny picture.

There was some really good pots of chili this year. I didn't place this year. Maybe next year. The winning pot was a seafood(fish,squid,etc...) mixture.

Wendy & I, as most of you know, drove for Google. We mapped an area that was(approx.) 150 miles RADIUS of Chattanooga, Tn. We mapped every road, country & interstate, that was open. Saying that, we didn't go into areas that was gated communities, or roads that said "No Trespassing". We also mapped more areas ~all the way to Memphis. Those were only major roads though.
I didn't know that anyone was interested in seeing them from out of state. However, when I read on the OZ report tonight that Craig Stanley had found it, and posted it, I thought I would take it another step because it was for a forum for "checking out other sites". So, below are the addresses for our site here at Lookout Mountain, Henson's, & Whitwell. Launch & LZ's.
Craig and David Glover posted some links to Henson's where the Team Challenge '07 was taking place. I had to work, so keeping in rhythm with Ollie's spirit, I brought the Google car over, and got the area on camera, during fly-days.

Lookout Mountain Flight Park------
7518 scenic Hwy, Lookout Mountain, Ga, United States is a look at Launch, on a fly day
1770 Creek rd, Valley, Ga, United States is the look at the LZ.
You can even "drive" around the cabins,and from both ends of the field. Spent some time trying to figure out how to do this without overlapping and loosing some of the footage, and when there was gliders being set up, flying, and being broken down.


Henson's Gap----
Below are the links to some of Henson's Gap site. Craig Stanley posted the links on the Oz Report, for everyone there.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=window+rock+road,+dunlap+tn&sll=35.564599,-97.562521&sspn=0.009496,0.019312&g=2273+Downing+St,+Oklahoma+City,+OK+73120&ie=UTF8&layer=c&cbll=35.347881,-85.330408&panoid=spIWW_QccEO4uXnf63VKew&cbp=12,255.42420138871282,,0,13.280094827235027&ll=35.347756,-85.330467&spn=0.015332,0.132179&t=h&z=14&iwloc=addr

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=window+rock+road,+dunlap+tn&sll=35.564599,-97.562521&sspn=0.009496,0.019312&g=2273+Downing+St,+Oklahoma+City,+OK+73120&ie=UTF8&ll=35.348456,-85.332012&spn=0.038084,0.077248&z=14&layer=c&cbll=35.34852,-85.332069&panoid=28fS91XOGf4mPDd6lzb6jQ&cbp=12,128.92151956970875,,0,1.4497443114057098

Henson's primary LZ is 26.2 miles due south at Marion County Airport. Just kidding. Sorry, a little XC humor there.
442 Davis Loop, Dunlap, Tn, United States is the primary LZ look. Can you tell I love this site, and the people that fly here !

Whitwell---
You can't really see launch from the this pic, but you can see how to get to launch from here. I drove all the way to the set-up area trying to get all the gliders, however, the road officially stops in the bend, on this gravel road and they cut it out. Hey, I tried.
4048 Mt. olive Road, Whitwell, Tn , United States is how to get to launch.
Take the short road off of the main road, in between the houses/trailers.

1908 Main St., Whitwell, Tn. is to the Church LZ. Primary LZ.
I even went a little bit further with this one. You can literally drive down Both sides of the church, to the back side of the church and see the entire lz. Oh, and looks aren't deceiving. That's why it's a Hang 3 site, among other reasons.

13164 S. Pine St., Whitwell, Tn is a look at Castle's bailout LZ. I love this field. GREAT to land in!

You can pan the screens 360 degrees by left clicking mouse, and dragging the picture where you want it. The most important thing about using this to find stuff,,,,,,the addresses Suck. I haven't found Any that match what they are suppose to actually be. My personal address is off more than 500. The addresses on here are actual, not what they should be. If you area has been done by Google Street View/ City block,,,, and you know where you live and take a look at it,,,,promise you it will not match. You can also drive up and down the road by clicking the arrows in a certain direction.

If you have any questions, or comments, either email me(which is on here), or put a comment in the appropriate area.
Hope to see you all at one of our local sites!
If you would like to see the Team Challenge picture in better clarity,, click the below link and scroll down the Oct 8TH,'07 post.
http://ifly4funn.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html

New YouTube video from the guys in Region 6, Arkansas site. Petit Jean, with rigids, falcons, and sport 2s. Kind of cold, but it looked like a great fly day.

A fellow birdwannabe has come up with another contest. We, as a flying community, should try to do what ever that we can to help promote our sport, in the most positive manner as we can. Double click the Youtube box, and go and vote for it. Not telling you how to vote for it, just to vote. Of course, the higher the stars,,, the better, :^}

Also, for all of my friends in Australia,,,,,, Happy Australia Day, Mates !

Today was a flyday for some. I wasn't feeling up to it, and it was still a bit chilly for me. It was some rowdy air, I was told by a couple of locals. Spring, and just a bit warmer temps., is just around the corner, and I can't wait !

This explains alot .

Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

The pictures below, are pictures that I took while I was working in Fort Walton Beach, Florida area. Hope that you enjoy them. It was nice to get out of the cold for a couple of days.

No matter how you look at the picture below---Whether they are taking it down,,OR setting it up,,,or disposing of it~~~ they are Late !

My Dad sent me some picture, via cellphone.
These are the same bird/squirrel feeders that I have shown before. Only this time, it has been really snowing. I suppose the only difference between the south & the north right now is the amount of precipitation. I don't mind the cold that much, but they can have All of the snow!
My Dad's back porch.

Yeah,,,it has been really cold here for the last couple of days, also.
Even though the water was freezing and the top was frozen, the koi/carp/goldfish, were still swimming around under it. If you look close at the shot, you can see them in both pictures.

This my neighbors man-made pond. His son made this for him. It's a pretty piece of work. Liquid landscapes is the name of his company, if you would like one for yourself. I can give you more details if so desired.

It think the weather is going to break tomorrow. We can only hope, it gets dangerous on top of the mountain during sub-freezing temps.

I was in Murray, Kentucky this week working. So nice to have work, during this very slow time of year. On the way home, I had to stop and capture some shots from this breathtaking place. I don't have to tell anyone how cold it actually is outside. However, I think these shots says a lot.

This body of water is huge, and there's very little chance of it actually freezing completely over. However, what I found interesting about this shot, was the steam coming off of it.

Keeping with the topic of cold weather, and flying, Clark Harlow sent out an email about his recent tandem flight. As you can feel in his words, you may see just why he is beloved, and respected from all of his friends at the Tennessee Tree Toppers, and the Hang Gliding community in general. In my opinion, we have the best sport on the planet, and some of the finest caliber of people, it has been my pleasure to be associated with.

On the radio this morning they were saying it was the coldest temps.in Chattanooga for 6 years. Of coarse I had a flight booked.
Driving to launch the car said it was 16 degrees. Coldest I flown in since 1982. Ahh the power of money, almost as strong as youth.
A day or two short of nineteen and as emotional as I've seen in a while.She was excited and scared at the same time. My passenger for today,smiling and crying.
Hang check and we're off. thirty seconds into it she says something like, I'm not scared anymore, this is wonderful.Then we hit a little hundred fpm thermal, and she was scared again for just a second. That's normal when there's lift, I said.
Three or four passes along the ridge and I saw it. The coolest thing I've seen since taking Ollie's Daughter's boyfriend.The tear in her eye had blown up onto her eyelashes and frozen.Matching the diamond stud in her nose, it was striking.
I know I'm a simple guy, and simple things touch me, but it really was beautiful. Not in a lusty way but in a cute little girl kind of way.It touched my feminine side in a way I can't describe.
Then we sank out.
I love my job.

And even tho I get a good sink rate flying with weightless girls.
I'm still

Get'n lowerL/Dnuare -Clark

Ricker took this picture today, at Henson's ramp. Socked in, snow flurries, and freezing was the report. He stayed until 1pm, before he decided to head somewhere else. He headed to Lookout to try and get some flying in. I saw him standing on launch as I was driving by. Will give a flying report in a little while. It was just too bloody cold for me today at 17 degree wind chill. Mark Fink and 2 other guys were willing to withstand the temps, to get some airtime today. Ricker left left his wing on the truck, and I left mine in the garage. He took some better shots, which he will send to me when he gets home, in L.A.

Lee has organized the 5th annual Chili cook-off, again this year. She sent out the email below for every one's attention, and consideration.

After all the chilly and rainy days, it'll be great to sit down with a bowl of chili, some cornbread, and a cup of beer. (Yes, beer will be included in the fun.)
Here's how it all comes down: All who wish to enter their chili contact Lee @ leethermal@yahoo.com.

All judges and entries should arrive by 6 PM, so you can be set up and judged by 7 PM (eating time). The donation for all except entries is $5 which is divided by the first three winners.
Any extras, such as grated cheese or sour cream, please bring with you. Also, need volunteers (2 or 3) to make cornbread.

This year, as stated, we have a plus: good beer to wash down the great chili.
Check with me soon on this (chili entrants). Lee

I took this shot this afternoon. The wind was howling about 45-50mph in our backyard, and the clouds that you see are producing a lot of snow. The temp. was about 45 degrees. Scary stuff.
The remainder of these pictures are taken of Lookout mountain flight park. Some may take to calling it Lookout Lake. Lots of flooding going on here! I'm posting these shots for all the out-of-town pilots that may have property here, or they may be thinking of coming to fly. Well, unless you plan on flying with water-skis,,,,,,I wouldn't suggest it.

This is a shot from the north end of the field. I don't think most of these need any explanation.

The road heading in the south end of the field. Or, what's left of it.

The campground.

The new boat launch at the north end of the field.

Hopefully, the TVA will open some of the locks on the dam, and the water will then run off. As bad as this looks, it isn't as bad as when hurricane Ivan came thru a few years ago. The water was another 5 ft higher than it is now.

I don't think I would call this a new year's resolution, or not. However, I have taken it upon myself to try my best to click these two links, once a day. It takes about 20 seconds, depending on your internet connection, to do this simple caring for others act.
I hope you join me in this simple challenge. Once a day, click and donate your time for the good of others. Who knows,, if you're a guy, you might be one of the 1,700 men that get Breast Cancer a Year. I lost my Mother to Bone Cancer, which started in the breast and progressed to a terminal case.
The one below the Free Mammograms link, is about Free Food for animals. Here at Lookout Mountain Flight Park,, bad people are dropping their unwanted pets in our LZ(landing zone). The City of Trenton is currently unequipped to deal with all of the unwanted animals. Hopefully, one day soon that will be a thing of the past. It's a big problem all over the country.
Thanks for your help!

Your click on the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button helps fund free mammograms for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited. Your click is paid for by site sponsors, and mammogram funding is provided to clinics throughout the U.S. through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation .

Early Detection: Do You Know The Facts?

The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates that each year, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,000 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2



The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need — providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year. Over 10 million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted.
Each click on the purple "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Animal Rescue Site provides food and care for a rescued animal living in a shelter or sanctuary. Funding for food and care is paid by site sponsors and distributed to animals in need at the Fund for Animals' renowned animal sanctuaries (including Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in California), pet shelters supported by the Petfinder Foundation , North Shore Animal League , and other worthy animal care facilities supported by the GreaterGood.org foundation.
100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&ThirdPartyClicks=ERA_012208_ARS

John Stokes ( whose webpage link is on the right-- S.O.A.R) named this beautiful bird.

When Challenger flies

Read the narrative before viewing.

This is an awesome music video...featuring a special free-flying Bald Eagle named 'Challenger'
(in honor of the lost space shuttle crew) cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation (AEF).

He's a 'human socialized' bird accidentally raised by the people who rescued him - after being blown from a wild Louisiana nest in a storm as a baby in the late 1980s.. Declared 'non-releasable' by federal and state wildlife authorities, he was trained by the AEF to perform educational free-flight demonstrations at high profile public events.
He's the first Bald Eagle in U.S. history that learned to free-fly into stadiums, arenas and ballrooms during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. The celebrity eagle has appeared at numerous major s porting events...like the World Series, Pro-Bowl, All-Star game, BCS National Championship, Fiesta Bowl and Men's Final Four, etc. Challenger has also flown before 4 U.S. Presidents!
His life story is told in a children's storybook titled 'Challenger, America's Favorite Eagle.'
Turn on your speakers and click on link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfevfJNDuIg&eurl=http://www.eagles

Realize that true happiness lies within you.
Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.
Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour onothers without getting a few drops on yourself.
-- Og Mandino

It was a great friend's birthday today. Barry was totally set up, by his girlfriend Ann, and we actually pulled a surprise birthday party on him. Over 25 people was in attendance. His family even showed up ! Shows what a special kind of guy & hang glider pilot that he is.
A few of them pitched in and got him a special gift. He does like a little tequila every once in a while, and they got him some of the best.

One of the traditions at the restaurant that we had to party at, Cancun-Mexican restaurant, is giving the birthday person a whipping. Cool Whip, that is.

This is a shot down the table at most of the guests. You will have to click the picture to see it larger, to appreciate it. Like your Mother always said, and in the movie "the Christmas Story",,,,, "You will put your eye out." John Stokes was the victim of this one,,,or maybe not.

Barry & I both, enjoy singing,,,so naturally, I had to get into the spirit of things.

Happy Birthday, my friend. I hope many, many ,many more to come ! ! ! ! !

All the pictures that I took from the New Years Eve party, are now posted on Dan's site. There's a link to the page in my Index of web pages, which is located to the right. For those of you that have pictures there, you have my permission to copy them, and print them out for you and your family, if so desired.
I hope that everyone has a Happy, Healthy, and prosperous New Year !

The food at tonights New Year's party was scrumpious, and plenty to go around.
Dan seem to be having fun this evening.

There was alot of people at Doris's tonight to bring in the new year.

After Christmas, I was able to visit my Dad, in Ohio. Remember the picture of the upside down Jeep? Well, this is Him beside is new '05 Grand Cherokee that replaced it. His is nice, but,,,, mine's just as nice -- :^}~~

About 2 foot outside Dad's kitchen window, he has 3 bird feeders. Seems that more than the birds likes to food that they put in it ! I saw 4 squirrels trying to get breakfast while I was there.

I wish He lived closer. We never get to spend enough time together. I know that I'm not the only one in this world that feels like that. It really makes the time special when we do get to see each other. Thanks Dad, for a great visit. You are my Hero, and role model.