Each year the Austin Monthly magazine lists over 100 things to see and do in the greater Austin area. David and I used that list to seek out fun adventures while we lived in Texas. One thing in particular jumped out at me as a wonderful birthday gift for David. He has always been the daring sort of person, living life on the edge, so when I saw an article about a place where you could go and fly in a glider I knew immediately this was going to be a fantastic gift for him. On the first Saturday each month you can go and put your name on a waiting list and when your name is called you can go up in the glider. I had always heard David say he would love to do something like that and now he had his chance. We packed a lunch, took our lawn chairs and camera and headed out for a day of sitting and waiting in the hot Texas sun. There were 2 gliders flying that day and it was a long process waiting and watching. Finally it was David’s turn and off he went to climb into the glider. He sat in the front portion and the pilot was behind him. They went up and were only up for about 10 minutes when they came in for a landing on the grass airstrip. I was disappointed it was such a short flight but noticed they did not get out of the glider. A man went out and attached the pull plane to the nose of the glider and off they went again. This time they were up longer. Afterward, David explained that the wind currents were not so good so they had to come down and try it again. He was thrilled that he got to take off and land... twice! He really enjoyed the trip and it was one birthday gift I think he will remember forever.
David inside the glider just before take off
