Saturday, September 11, 2010

First Flight

That's me hanging from that paraglider! I went last Tuesday on a tandem flight, and it was amazing! We launched at the Point of the Mountain North Flight Park. Everyone there was totally chill - it must have been the evening sun, gentle breeze, and great view of the Salt Lake valley. My instructor had just flown from Ferguson Canyon to the Point! I had no idea paragliders could go that far.

We strapped our harnesses on, spread out the glider in the grass, walked forward to pull the wing in the air, and then we were off the ground. The idea is to glide around, feel the wind, and when you fly through an updraft, start turning to stay in it, and slowly spiral upwards. We gained nearly 1200 feet. Intriguing.

It was so relaxing just floating through the air, seeing the houses and cars and mountain far below in that evening sun. The best part of the 45 minute flight was our descent - we did some "wing overs" where you swing side to side, and then you start spiraling downward.

Alvin was so kind to watch Miles (and me) from the flight park below. He's already done a tandem flight, so he didn't feel like he was missing too much. Miles had a ball at the park - the chill attitude must have been catching. Maybe he was as entranced as I was at the big, vibrant gliders inflating in the breeze.

I would definitely recommend paragliding - or even just go hang out at the flight park and watch the paragliders set up and take off.

5 comments:

Heather said...

That's so awesome! There was a guy who helped run the hotel we stayed in in Switzerland who was a paraglider. He said he would be up for 8 hours sometimes over the Alps!! I would love to try it one day.

Miles is getting so big!!

Snap said...

Wow! That looks fun. Was it pricey?

Levi and Kami's Blog said...

You are so brave!!!! Sounds amazing!

Laura Weight said...

What a sweet sweet little boy! I can't believe that miles is almost 18 months old. It seems not to long ago that you guys were here and he was just this little guy! I use to think that miles was a spitting image of you laura, but he is starting to look like alvin a bit!
You guys always look like you are having so much fun! We hope you guys are doing well. Hope to see you again soon in houston! :)

mrp670 said...

You are very brave. I'll enjoy your pictures and keep my feet on the ground!