Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 12:December 2014 | Page 21

151. The land is a former Christmas
tree farm that has been converted into a
flying oasis with a large, grassy landing
field and a soarable launch that also
serves as a great training hill. On the
day of the event, KarmaFlights pilots
were out in force providing tandem
flights for donations, and Larry and
Tina Jorgensen, from nearby Dog
Mountain, brought in a Dragonfly tow
plane, giving exhilarating rides around
the valley, also for donations. Pilots
travelled from near and far to take part
in the event. Several who had courageous launches from the nearby Bremer
site were rewarded with long, high
flights, landing at Area 151.
Donations didn’t stop at flying,
however. Community members supported the effort by donating goods for
a charity auction, with items like wine,
handmade jewelry, camping gear, and
crocheted dishcloths (the word is they
clean well). Locals streamed in all day
and hangies, after flying Dog, came out
to share the dinner and enjoy the revelry. On the morning of the event the

music had bailed, but pilots and friends
came through with two bands gracing
the stage (or, should I say, the back of
an old Army truck with speakers).
In one day it was possible to take an
outdoor shower under the pines, fly a
paraglider, cruise to the mountaintops
in a Dragonfly, be flung into a pond by
the Redneck Rope Swing (A.K.A. an
excavator), discuss the finer points of
ultralight flying with a two-time UFC
world champion, feast in fine company, buy a camp h