Day VI – The Quest Adventure

What a difference a day makes. Last night I was spending my final night in the lap of luxury in Daytona Beach. Tonight, the TV, free wifi, roof over my head, heat, running water and bed have been traded in for an inflatable mattress, a tent, mosquitoes, and a sky full of stars. Seriously. FULL of stars. Some people might consider that a bad trade (especially the part about the mosquitoes – I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t ready for that). But as trades go, I’m not complaining.

The day started with a final meetup and lunch with my friends in Daytona Beach before I hit the road with my not-so-trusted directions from CAA. Again, I’m not going to lie, the CAA directions started well on Day I but there were issues again today. So, after giving up on the directions and relying on my GPS I managed to arrive at Quest Air in Groveland around 4:30pm. About 2 hours later I (along with my instructor) was in a hang glider and getting ready for my first aerotow in about 10 years.

A simple “Go Go Go” was all that was left between being on the ground and being towed to 2,500 ft. The signal was given and the ultralight (aka. the tug) accelerated and moments later we were airborne. My intructor (Spinner) had the controls during the launch but shortly afterwards turned things over to me for the duration of the flight. For the most part it didn’t feel like it had been ten years since my last flight. It just felt right.

My second flight was much the same except I was in control for the entire flight including launch.

And now, I find myself in my tent, having crackers and water for dinner (I really wish I was kidding. I have a box of Mini-Wheats in the car but there’s a full squadron of mosquitos just waiting for me to leave my tent and I’m quite confident they’re a lot hungrier than I am). Plus, leaving my tent would require me to get out of my sleeping bag which is the only thing between me and the distinct chill that is creeping in. But all I’m really thinking about is tomorrow and hoping the weather will allow me to get up in the air again. The forecast is promising :)