- Joined
- Jul 9, 2009
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On my way to Lakeland, my course takes me over the coastal marshes north of Crystal River, Florida on the west peninsula. I'd been bucking headwinds the whole morning with a paltry 45 mph ground speed. On approaching the flats, the wind was stronger; I nosed it over with the windward wing down into the quartering headwind and enough rudder to keep the course. I was about 300 feet. Without any altitude gain, I picked up to 67 mph ground speed. Airspeed was close to a hundred and my wind plowing attitude was akin to a diving slip. I did feel like a sailboat. Funny sensation for a foot hill Georgia boy. I guess I was getting lift from that coastal breeze. Maybe I'll run the coast next time and take advantage of the lift in those headwinds. Only thing is... I'd hate to go down in those marshes, I don't want to be gator bait. Ever see the Swanee River? Looks like triple canopy riming that great black river. Oh well, I can always hope for tailwinds and fly inland.