boomertype

July 31st, depending where you are, you will be subject to a Blue Moon. http://www.obliquity.com/astro/blue2004.html What is a Blue Moon? http://www.obliquity.com/astro/bluemoon.html Okay, now that those two things are over, I think we need to have a worldwide BMK fly on July 31st. Take a look at the first link to find you exact time for the Blue Moon where you're at and get a BMK into the air. At an earlier stage of my life I was a very active boomeranger, hence the alias. On New Years Eve, it's a tradition with rang'rs to throw a lighted boomerang (tiny cyalum sticks) just before midnight and make a catch after midnight. The lore goes that doing so, a throw and a catch will result in a prosperous New Year. Groups get together to celebrate and throw-into the new year. I was thinking we need to do the same with Blue Moon Kites, everybody find their time on the chart listed above and get one in the air. Or two or more. Our next opportunity is in 2007. This year it falls on a Saturday, so most of us should be off work. I will be in NC visiting my daughter and her family. So, I'm planning to be on the beach in Wilmington, NC, Wrightsville Beach to be exact. I will be hoisting at least two BMK's before 1405 and will keep them airborne past the appointed moment. I'll be flying my Ichiban and my Mamba, maybe the Moonie UL if the winds are light enough. What an opportunity to fly them in the fine state of NC, their birthplace. I've spoken to Ken, and I'm sure he'll be hoisting one too. So, if you're interested in the 1st BMK Worldwide Fly-in on a Blue Moon Day, let me know here and I'll keep a listing of sites where Fly-in's will occur. John Chilese added this response: POSTER? Any BMK that gets flown on July 31st, send me a digital photo of the kite/pilot/owner from that day or a previous flight and I will make a collage poster and post it on my webshots page. I'll also make a larger (# of pixels) one which I can email to anyone who wants it if you would like to print something at high resolution. So, if you're interested in the 1st BMK Worldwide Fly-in on a Blue Moon Day, let me know here and I'll keep a listing of sites where Fly-in's will occur. Ken McNeil added: I'd be thrilled if you'd just all fly your Blue Moon kites sometime in July (or August)! How 'bout if we call it "close enough" if you fly your BMK sometime 23 hours and 59 minutes either before or after the "official" blue moon. Extra points for a picture of you and your Blue Moon kite showing the full moon. I'm thinking I might be able to come up with a nice prize (TBD) for a randomly selected picture meeting this criteria. hmm... Send these pictures to Ken at his website: www.bluemoonkites.com Thanks, more later. . .

For the last several years, I've been packaging my kites in a suitcase and breaking them down as small a possible. Mostly dualliners. I too have not the courage to try and get them past the screeners. Despite the tails I have heard from the folks at Prism about carrying aboard an E2 in it's bag and not even have the security folks blink. I don't have the time or want to mess with those folks. This past Fathers Day, my wife treated me to a gift that should be the deal. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...x&cm_ite=srchdx Mines a bit different, without the wheels, and about a third less. So far I have test packed it and I can get my Ichiban (big SLK), and 4 duallies in it. That should be enough for my trip to the Outer Banks next month. I've put labels on it and checked with the airlines, sounds like everything should fly. It's called the Plano Airliner. I'll report back and let you know how it goes.

This last year, they had a Sunday morning Mass Ascension of frameless kites/soft kites. On Saturday there was an afternoon Mass Ascension of Cody's trying to break a world record of more than 108 Cody's in the air. I think we had over 200. Everyone received a pin. I think it will be held again this year.

And just exactly where is your weather channel reporting the weather from. I have never, ever found the weather channel to give me an inkling of what the wind where I'm located to be, not within 10 mph. This is such a variable, I'm not sure it would tell you anything. I sail and the only way to know what your wind speed is to look where you're at the moment. Sometimes on the water you can be dead calm and see the wind a mile away and be a betting it'll be to you in 15 mins and an hour later, you're still becalmed. Buckaroo bonzai said, now matter where you go, there you are. I say, not matter what the wind is elsewhere, you gotta fly what ya got.

So Noah, are you an AKA member? 10% discount at most online shops. Check GWTW, Kite Connection for best prices. www.gwtw-kites.com down today, back soon www.kiteconnection.com Both these places seem to have the lowest prices, subtract the AKA discount and you've got an even better price.

We'll be gentle. You'll never forget your first time.

My kites don't drink.

Mrs Boomertype and myself will be there Th, Fr, Sa, and Su. If we get to BBQ, we'll be there too. Looking forward to laboratory grade winds!

So what were the 2nd and 3rd place prizes???? Did I win something????

Then be a subscriber!

Glad to see we're up and running again.