US Nationals Big Spring, Tx.

WOW what a day. I didn't make goal but had some great flying. You wait and wait and wait in the launch line. It was 105 deg on the ground and it was 48 deg. at cloud base. So im wearing a t shirt and two speed sleeves, gloves and helmet standing next to the asphalt taxi way sweating my but off. Finally I get a cart and im way back in line. Put the glider on the cart lay down get settled and turn on my instruments and find out my route is gone. Now im next in line and trying to put in the route laying in the cart. I move to the side and set up my instrument get back in line and im at the back. Today you needed to launch early so you can fly with other pilots because it a blue day. Only a few clouds early. When I got in the air there were about two clouds left in the sky. I get off tow and climb out to 8k and head out. Im flying toward three pilots climbing 3 miles away. I know I cant make it to them but im hoping ill hit something on the way because im flying through 800 down a lot. Im down to 2000 (i know that sounds high at blue sky but when you are flying at 10-12k it seams low) I finally hit some lift and get up again to 9k. It wasn't strong (400) but it got me up. Now im out in the blue by my self searching for what I think might be triggers. It worked I hit a boomer (750 up) VG is at half and Im on my way. I topped out at 10.5k and off I go. Now my vario is screaming 800 down. I turn and pull the VG tight and run away. Now ive caught up with two other pilots and they were turning. It was only 500 up so I search for a stronger core as the two other pilots leave. I find it and the vario is showing 850 up and Im turning right (and that's my bad side) with 3/4 VG and the nose is pointing straight up. What a blast. Until I fall out of it and my right wing drops and the nose is now pointing at the ground. That scared the crap out of my. I said I had enough of this and I take off. Now im hitting 800 down and then 800 up I kicked the keel twice and was white knuckling the bar saying to myself get me out of here please! That happened to me one more time. Now im on glide at 11k and dolphin flying and staying high and getting cold. It must have been the predicted 48 deg. because im cold. I glide about 10 miles and start to hit that 800 down again. All the way to 5500 feet. I start to search for lift at places I think it might be and bam I found it. 950 up. Ive got 3/4 vg on and I'm pushing out because this one is smooth. In no time Im at 12k and I bail out before I hit the top so I don't get the crazy rodeo ride again. Don't like the crazy rodeo ride! I take off and hope I can find more of those. Im gliding and im gliding and nothing. I hit some sink and turn 45 deg. to get away and still nothing. I sample as much of the air as i can and find nothing. So, basically I was on a 17.7 mile final. I pick out a nice flat field do my DBF and see the field isn't flat it slopes down hill. Thats ok because I have plenty of room. Oh yeah my VG is still at 3/4. Thats ok because I have a good head wind. Now im low giong across the field and im getting hit with the blast furnace coming off the field and im pulling in to stay down. Finally im down without incident. Perfect landing and only 50 feet to the fence and some grass to break down in. There isn't a lot of grass here so it was a real treat not trouncing around in the dust. Its the driest year ever since records were kept. I didn't make goal (103mi) but what a fantastic day!

                                                         Ahhh Grass!

                                                   Dow! Down hill.



Flights 1  Duration 2:15  Distance 69 miles  Alt. 12k