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Tony De Groot
Sunday, 11/20/05
Eliminator to Cieneguitas
Data

Sunday winds were cranking up to 19 out of the southeast and the huge crew at Alternator were throwing in the towel.  We stopped at Eliminator on the way down and kicked dirt and hung out for awhile as things seemed to slowly change.  Then, finally, Aaron stepped up to the plate , launched and climbed and climbed.  Whoaaa! It's on!!  I ran for my gear and pilots started punching off.  The paraglider crew started freaking and started driving back up the mountain.

The air was so sweet with nice lift behind and in front of Thermal Factory.  After boating around for awhile pilots started to peel off for the beach and the training hill.  I didn't have the glide in my Falcon to the beach but I thought I had it at least to Robbins.  So I took off down wind towards Cathedral and waited to see my fate.  I couldn't believe my glide and tucked into the hook near the top of Cathedral and just ridge soared up the face until I was blown off and then went to West Bowl.  It seemed like I could have just kept on going but I opted to go for the car at Cieneguitas.

The glide out was sweet with areas of zero to hang out in.  As I approached the L.Z. I saw a hawk circling low over the church.  I joined her and we drifted back to the main L.Z. in lazy circles until I was in position to land.  I decided to try landing beyond the normal area.  Coming in on final I glided past the tree with the flag on it.  In ground effect, then over the lip down the hill and up the other side and a perfect landing right next to the break down tree.

Cieneguitas was just beautiful, green and quiet.  I read in the news press this morning that the San Marcos housing project has been confirmed to start building 15 large scale homes ranging from 3800 to 8700 square feet and five affordable condominiums on this beautiful land.  I wonder if that was one of the last times I would see Cieneguitas so open and green and pristine.  If so it was a perfect way for me to end my last flight there.