Road Trip - June 2025 - At Five Springs

The campground at Five Springs was not at all busy considering we arrived on a Saturday. The first thing we do, after picking a campsite, is go back down to the landing zone and set up our wind sock. I really like this multi-coloured one as it's easier to tell which way the wind is going as opposed to one that is all one colour. Especially when I'm looking at it from high above at the launch through a telephoto camera lens! 

Andrew got in some nice short flights the first couple days. It's generally good to fly morning and late afternoon but too windy at mid-day. 

On his last flight of the trip, the thermals were cooperating and he got up really high above launch. He'd talked about doing a cross country flight if he got high enough so luckily I was prepared for this and knew what was happening when he didn't turn back in front of launch.  

I kept him in sight as long as I could and started driving down the highway in the direction he flew. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to spot him again and he'd have to let me know his landing spot via text or InReach. But as I came over a small hill, I saw his glider just above the horizon and arrived at his landing location just seconds behind him. 

One of the things I love about Five Springs is the landscape. So much color and variety in the terrain. It is so beautiful! 

We're usually at Five Springs for several days and there's no power so we make good use of our solar panel setup to re-charge computers and phones. And I haven't said it yet this trip but ... I love our van setup!!  :-) 

This little bird was our constant companion. He tried several times to get in the van but mostly just sat on the mirror (and also pooped on it!) This photo was taken through a dirty window but you can see Andrew in the mirror sneaking a good photo from behind the van. So humorous! 

Road Trip June 2024 - Five Springs

Sometimes I'm totally on top of getting blog posts done, other times . . . not so much!  

I put the photos in here back in June during our trip to Five Spring, Wyoming. Andrew had some great flights. We always love this beautiful, quiet, laid back place. 

Flying at San Marcos

One day when the weather didn't look suitable at Tapalpa, we decided to try to find the launch at San Marcos. Unexpectedly, Google maps took us right to the mid-launch (which was not where we thought it was!) The wind wasn't right so we decided to hike to the upper launch. Only one of us could fly due to the significant distance between launch and landing so Andrew carried his equipment with him.

This elderly woman and her animals passed us on the way up. Not sure where she was headed.

On the opposite side of the ridge from the flying, there are so many greenhouses!

Interesting flower and bee.

The upper launch also has a hang gliding launch.

Thankfully, wind direction was good for this launch.

Perspective is often difficult to determine. Andrew looks like he's right over the middle of the town.

But he was actually very close to the LZ.

More Flying at Tapalpa

We really like both the flying site and the town of Tapalpa. So we made a big loop in our travels and returned here for our last flights of the trip. I did some kiting and was feeling better about my leg so it was a very positive start. 

Andrew approaching the LZ

This time it was big blue eyes. Doesn't he look like he's starving?!? Not! :-) 

After our first flights, Pedro picked us up. As we sat at launch eating a late lunch, a number of other pilots arrived, launched and were definitely finding some good thermals! A couple of them got quite high and either went cross country or top landed. Andrew decided to do a second flight. I knew he was also hoping to be able to try a top landing. (The top landing here is done in a large open area by the main road where you turn off to get to the launch area, not the actual launch site.) 

There wasn't a huge amount of lift off launch but he headed way out front to where some other pilots had caught a thermal and I was happy to watch his determination as he worked it and got back up, high above launch.

Photo taken from below the shelter at launch.

Unfortunately, as he came in to land he got bounced around a bit, fell forward upon landing and hurt his thumb. Not broken but quite swollen and sore the next few days.

The next day when we arrived at launch there were a couple other pilots and tandems waiting to fly. One pilot launched and things looked good. I got my gear out and started getting ready, as did one of the tandem pilots. I was in my harness and just about to spread out my wing when the second tandem pilot came and plopped his wing down and immediately spread it out right beside me (i.e. meaning I now had to move over to make room to spread out my wing). I realize the tandems are on home turf and there to make money but it seemed rather rude. Anyway, I decided to wait for the two tandems to launch first. Just about this time, the wind was starting to change direction and also get a bit stronger. Because the wind was quite cross, it took them forever to launch and neither of them (even as very experience tandem pilots) made it look easy. I was not comfortable with how cross it was, or the wind speed, so decided to pack up and not fly. In hindsight it was stupid! I should have either gone first before other pilots or quickly gotten set up right after the first guy went. Oh well!

I had a good flight the next day and even found a nice thermal right out front that the two pilots who launched before me quickly came and joined me in.

The next three photos are screenshots from video. I like them for their perspective of launching and checking wing once in the air.

Just about to bring the wing up.

Wing looks good, stable in the air, now time to "turn and burn."

Checking wing again right after launch; all looks good.

Me at the top of the stack. I point this out, not to brag but because of it's rarity!  :-) 

Heading to the LZ

One of the last turns to set up for landing.

One day after flying, we went back to the Tapalpa Country Club for lunch. Again, great views! 

A couple of our favourite restaurants in Tapalpa:

Dark chocolate gelato at Madre Tierra

Best pizza we had in Mexico at El Jardin de Filippo