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SILVERCREEK
SUCCESSES (continued) Terry Dickey After hearing from Kurt Ristow, Jeff Melin and Mike Warren about last year's event I set my sights on doing the same but with my ASW20. Unfortunately the 20 and I weren't quite ready, so Peter Detore and I were fortunate enough to take the clubs wonderful little PW5. Flying 20-35 mile triangles in my former 1-26 helped prepare me for this trip but I came away with an amazing amount of knowledge from several old pros including John Murray and Joe Shepard. Both gentlemen offered morning pilot briefings that not only included the daily task but valuable strategies on thermaling, speeds too fly, navigation and weather. I certainly learned there are many ways to fly given the conditions of the day, performance of the glider and ability of the pilot. Peter and I shared days soaring and while one was flying the other was assisting as crew. Each of us flew well over 60 miles without a landout and we walked away with huge smiles on our faces. My day included a 4-hour flight in which a couple Silver Creek members dubbed me "iron butt". By the way, ask Peter how he got the nickname "Sneaky Pete". You couldn't ask for better hosts or facility to stage a Cross Country Camp and the food was fabulous! The Silver Creek Soaring Club is absolutely a first class operation and it pulled off one of the most memorable soaring experiences I've ever been a party too. I highly recommend anyone with the desire to explore beyond the airport boundaries to consider this trip next year. A
Woman's Perspective To summarize
our 3 days at Silvercreek, I will answer one question-would I
go again? YOU BET! It was almost
like going to a (rustic) spa, ladies. There was a great natural
surface track for walking/running (the pilots call it a runway).
There was weight-lifting equipment galore- those wings are heavy!
All of our
meals were prepared for us and the food was good. (Many thanks
to the ladies of Silvercreek Gliding Club for feeding us so well).
There were indoor toilets and hot water in the shower. The shade
trees were beautiful - just right for a little rest. The overnight
accommodations are varied- motor homes, travel trailers and tents
were all in abundance. (It does help to remember your tent poles,
though). Our daughter
had a wonderful time climbing trees, hunting frogs and generally
running loose. She made two great buddies and can't wait to go
back! You couldn't ask for a nicer "nature camp."
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Even Daisy,
our dog, made friends and had fun. It was exciting
to see all of those gliders lined up and on tow- what a sight!
(The pilots' tales told round the campfire each evening were almost
as exciting).
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