HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. Fortunately the thick fog enveloping Fresno and the Central Valley didn't get over to Avenal until very late in the afternoon. So the first weekend of the New Year was at least flyable, even though the lift was practically non-existent. Actually, with the sunshine filling our little valley here, it seemed warmer than the actual temperature of 55 degrees. That didn't hold true late in the afternoon when the fog bank from the Central Valley and the fog bank over the West Ridge converged right over the airport and closed up very quickly. The tow plane and the glider being towed, both got down safely before the fog closed up. It turned out to be a good lesson for those who think that clouds can't form that quickly or move that rapidly.

2. There were nine of us out here today. Three from the Mersino family, Peter, Jacob, and Andrea. Mak Balucas, Karl Kunz, Joe Anastasio, Dave   Johnson, Steve Schery, and I. All of us except Steve, headed to Debbie's for lunch, then went back to the gliderport and did some flying (gliding). With little wind, and a warm sun, everyone seemed in a good mood, with smiles all around.

3. We did get a few things accomplished around the field. The Mersinos dug a new line for a sprinkler at the northwest corner of our grassy area. We hope to have a nice lawn for the Spring and Summer months. We also hassled Joe a bit for his bright red Jaguar with the huge rear wheels. Can't imagine drag racing with a Jaguar but who am I to say. Good looking car he has there. We also went to Coalinga, bought a new outdoor thermometer, and filled up gas cans for refueling the tow plane.

4. Joe Anastasio got his first chance to ride in the tow plane, and actually flew it after the tow, all the way down to short final. He seems trainable and one day we might see him doing some of the towing. Earlier in the day he flew the Blanik out towards the West Ridge and found little lift, not enough to make any reasonable altitude gains.

5. Andrea and Jacob Mersino flew together for the first time ever. Jacob is now an instructor at the Air Force Academy and Andrea is close to her Private License. They really enjoyed flying together.

6. Mak Balucas flew twice today. Once with Jacob Mersino, then afterwards, he flew solo and did very well on and off tow.

7. All in all, it was an inauspicious start of the New Year but it could have been worse. We had enough tows to make some money for our budget and that will help. Most everyone stayed around until dark settled in, and went home feeling a bit satisfied, while not ebullient about the lift.