They say procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.  I agree, and am guilty of being such an “artist.”   It has been far too long since I have written here, not because of any lack of adventure, just my lack of diligence in writing.  So here I sit, victim now to the fruits of procrastination, trying so hard to not only remember, but now document the adventures of “yesterday.”  Not being able to find the words, perhaps I will lean on another morsel of wisdom.  That is, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Perhaps I will let the pictures do the talking as I try and document just a select few of the many adventures over the last few months.

^ – This image at “Short Divide” up near Logan, Utah was captured as we were waiting around to fly, and pretty much sums up our spring.  It has been difficult weather, which is okay, but finding the safe windows to fly in has proved more difficult.  I feel lucky to have followed my gut, flown when I felt comfortable, even when the “group” decided otherwise.  It has been a tragic spring already with 2 local fatalities, and several other local accidents resulting in many broken bones amongst my friends in the local flying community.  It can happen to any of us on any flight, so I am thankful for each time my feet land safely back to the earth. Thankful for each day I get, each breath I take.  The lessons are clear to be thankful for life, but never be afraid to live it.  I mourn the loss of my friends no longer with us, and wish my injured friends a speedy and full recovery.

^ – Self portrait Image taken on Memorial Day near Mount Olympus as my friends and I were dropped off in Centerville with the goal to “fly home.”  It was a day to be remembered from low saves deep in the mountains, to climbing so high that airplane traffic became a real issue.  I will never forget looking down on that big twin engine turbo prop airplane near 12,000 feet as he flew under me.  We spotted each other, avoided, waved, and went on our merry way.  It is a stark reminder how beautiful our Wasatch Mountains are and how lucky we are to share the sky with birds and planes as we fly over them.  You can read more about this adventure here.

^ – Image taken while soaring over Strawberry Reservoir at a place we call Poison Ridge.  Everyone said it was going to be too windy, and over develop, but trusting my own crystal ball, and gut led to a golden night of perfectly “light” and smooth wind….with no clouds.  Just the trees below, the sun above, and good friends all around.

^ – The road to Francis Peak had just opened and again, everyone thought it was going to be too windy….but the sky outside said otherwise.  I convinced two other pilots to join me…it isn’t hard to convince Clark.  As evening approached and the thermals began to taper we launched into the sky from my new “preferred” launch site (not the normal launch).  What ensued was an hour or more of some of the best glass off air I have ever felt in the mountains.  Near the end of the flight, the lifting air was laced with the smell of cotton candy and popcorn drifting up from Lagoon…..mmmmm, popcorn.  It was intoxicating.

^ – Taken while flying over Little Cottonwood Canyon (where I was born and raised). The spring has been engulfed in an enormous amount of wind…something I do not generally love when flying the mountains.  This has allowed for only small windows between weather to get in safe, but quicker flights just out my back door.  Although quick, they are still often some of my favorites.

^ – One of the more scenic flights around is up in the rural community of Randolph, Utah.  Here we were able to fly for nearly 3 hours above the beautiful winding Bear River.  Surrounded by vicious mosquitoes, but balanced out with great friends and fellow pilots.

^ – Taken one evening below Poison Ridge as I landed all alone in a small meadow amidst the aspens and sage brush.  I distinctly remember what I heard when I landed….absolutely nothing.  It was a welcomed relief from the constant phones, cars, music, etc.  As I sat amidst the setting sun I was reminded once again why I love this thing called paragliding.  It is a time to reconnect, to find purpose, and to put aside everything but the present.  I firmly believe we were put on this earth to not only learn who we actually are, but to learn to live perfectly in those moments placed before us.

As spring is now behind and summer in full force we must continue to make the most of each and every day we are given. To put aside the clutter and focus more on the moments and people around us.  Looking back it has been a meaningful spring full of great lessons and surrounded by great friends.  To all, fly high and safe, and I hope to see you in the sky soon.