it's all about the wind

When I first moved out here, I was pretty excited about building wind turbines.  After about a year and a half, I figured out that the sun was a lot more reliable than the wind so I took my turbines down and added more solar panels.  This is the 10 day wind forecast (direction and speed): SE13, SW14, N12, E9, SSE11, SW9, SE6, NNE6, NW7, SWS10.  Now I am interested in the wind again because of my new powered paragliding adventure.  Put up a replacement anemometer for my weather station and checked out the old anemometer that was up by my wind turbines.  The little magnetic reed switch I soldered together way back on October 30, 2008 was busted.  Found an exact replacement from https://www.sparkfun.com/  Ordered 2 for $6.69 including shipping.  I will be able to use this one as a hand held wind speed indicator along with a wind sock near my launch area.  47,61,25,0,B,0

Big Ben

Ben is a year and a half old and still growing fast.  His tip to tip measurement is now 43 5/8".  They are growing at a rate of about a half inch per week.  Bud is growing just as fast but won't let me near him with the tape measure.  Got some head gear flight gifts from my friend Chris Johnson for Christmas.  Not exactly FAA approved, but they sure look cool.  Might come in handy if I take up crop dusting.

Had a visit a couple of days ago from Ken Clouse of West Texas Realty.  He had heard I am planning on taking up PPG flying and wanted to stop by and see the rig.  He told me about his navy pilot experience flying from aircraft carriers.  He emailed this photo today - the actual plane he used to fly.  A little more impressive than my egg beater.  Perhaps I will be proficient enough by next Labor Day to participate in the Big Bend Balloon Bash that West Texas Realty sponsors each year.
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new years day kiting

Started the new year by walking my driveway with the paramotor on my back this morning.  My instructor suggested that I do this a couple times a day to get used to it and train some unused muscles.  Just had to break the paraglider out of the bag this afternoon.  Very light wind and I didn't have it hooked to the harness so there was no chance of getting dragged by a gust.  Pretty amazing how much lift this thing has even in the slightest breeze.  Keeping it stable in the air is not as easy as it looked in all the videos I have watched.  Getting the hang of this is the secret to successful launches.  48,63,30,0,C,0

2013 was a very good year for rain at The Field Lab.  Grand total for last year was 11.81" - the most I have seen in a year since moving here. 

last day

So this is how 2013 ends... 
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Heavy

Started a Facebook page for the powered paragliding adventure.  Thanks to my friend Paul Szendrey for giving me the idea of using the name The Flight Lab.  Check it out and "like" the page if you are so inclined.  There will be some extras there that won't be posted on the blog.

Put the rig on my back for the first time yesterday.  That thing is pretty dang heavy.  I have never worn a backpack with that much heft.  Kinda counter intuitive to add that much weight to me in order to become lighter than air.  Did a supply run to Alpine today and decided to pick up a bathroom scale so I would know exactly how much it weighed.  The motor, frame, and harness come in at 68.8 lbs.  Add a full tank of gas to that ( 2.5 gallons at 6 lbs/gallon) and I will have to tote 83.8 lbs. for a short time in order to get airborne.  I am counting on the fact that there are lots of folks out there doing this with ease.  43,58,26,0,C,0

boozetown

In all the places that I have lived - never has there been such a place that glorifies alcoholism like Terlingua.  Local law enforcement even has an unwritten policy to let the locals do as they might when it comes to drinking and driving.  I have had my fair share of drugs and alcohol since my early 20's.  Once I got to the desert, I found it very easy to pound down 12 - 15 beers during a long hot day.  If I wasn't careful, I would end up like the multitudes out here that drink themselves to oblivion every night.  I know several locals that start their day with a six pack and keep going till they black out for the night.  One in particular has gotten so many DUI's that he decided he would just rather give up his right to drive in order to keep drinking himself to death.  When I came to Christ, I decided that I would rather not join the Terlingua Drinking Team.  The Bible does not require us to abstain completely from alcohol.  I partake in great moderation now.  Alcohol is not a necessity of life.  In God’s eyes, one does not have to drink to show maturity, virility or sociability.  And because of the enormous destruction caused by alcohol abuse today, many people have decided that it is better to abstain even if the Bible does not require us to.  It's all a matter of showing respect for the body that God has gifted you with and keeping your wits about you.  I am reminded of an old ad on TV from many years ago..."If you drink a lot of beer - you drink a lot."

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker , strong drink is raging : and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.  

State of the Greenhouse

Most of the plants are limping along but I think I lost my banana trees.  My lone grapefruit is ready any time.  Winter greens are coming along very well (no bugs!).  46,63,37,0,C,0