HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. Andrea and Jacob Mersino accompanied me to Avenal today. Jacob is on leave for the holidays from the Air Force Academy where he just finished his first semester. He's been doing well there, as has Hanna Marlette and I know it was nice for him to get home again after being gone for seven months. Jacob flew the 1-26 while Andrea flew a refresher flight with me to 3800 msl. She did fine, hasn't lost her skill at glider flying and perhaps one day she'll opt to go for her Pilot's License.

2. Morgan Hall launched in the Blanik, solo, because the clouds were too low to get enough tow height to practice spins. He managed to eke out even the smallest amounts of lift and there were some like that in spite of most of us who went aloft to find nothing.

3. This was Julie Butler's day to solo the 1-26. She has amassed enough solo flights in the 2-33 to qualify for shifting over to the 1-26. After the presolo test and ground discussion, she executed a nearly perfect takeoff with no discernible PIO. She stayed aloft not too long then landed without incident, but chastising herself for not making the perfect landing. Overachiever? Yep, I guess that's what you'd call her. But she works at being perfect.

4. Bart Klusek from Davis, CA, came out again today and flew once with me in the 2-33. He has had training in gliders from some years ago, in England so his training here amounts to not much more than getting used to a different glider and the surrounding area.

5. Peter Mersino and Roy Norman flew in today just in time to get Andrea launched on her solo flight in the 2-33. Naturally she did fine and managed to get into enough lift near the field for us to watch as she circled for what seemed like a nice long flight.

6. The Gallagher contingent arrived mid-afternoon and I took my granddaughter and grandson for their first glider rides. Sara was quite excited about the flight and managed to comment almost continuously as the flight progressed. We found enough lift to remain aloft sufficiently for her to identify tiny houses, cars, and other objects of interest. My grandson, Andrew, on the other hand, was enthusiastic while seated in the glider on the ground. Then was a bit skeptical aloft at first, finally settling down to enjoy the scenery below him. Harold III and his wife, Tomomi, will likely go aloft next weekend if they can make it out to Avenal.

7. Bart Klusek went aloft again in late afternoon at a time when the gliding is smooth and the vistas impressive. He drives a long way down from Davis but seems to enjoy being at Avenal when he could be at other soaring sites closer to his home.

8. It wasn't a great day for lift. Weak thermals were around if you could find them and remain within them. Most of the time, it was a tow aloft and a glide down. But the weather was so nice and the visibility so good that everyone enjoyed the day.