Sat., Dick Goodgame, our trusty tow pilot was fogged in at Mena and didn't arrive in Talihina until about 10:30 am.  After the pilot's meeting all the guys headed to the Buffalo ridge, which was working nicely.  We had several first time ridge pilots.  But, Buffalo is the epitomy of a ridge soaring "bunny hill" and soon everyone felt very comfortable and got in the fun of it.  I took the TSA Duo and they put me at the end of the line so I could launch, with a passenger, from the north end of the runway.  Everyone else launches from the ramp intersection about a third of the way from the north end.  Andre arrived late and consequently had to launch behind me.  I had spotted indications of wave in the valley in the form of wispy rotor clouds(it was going to be a blue day).  I towed south in search of wave and found patch light wave at 0 to 1 up and at times some 3&4 up.  The rotors provided good climb, sometimes at 6kts. up.  But, the wave was not well defined and kept moving around.  I could only stay with it for about an hour and reached max. altitude of 5500' agl.  At 3000' agl I headed for the ridge about 12 miles away and arrived at Buffalo 400 feet above ridge top.  We stayed there for another 2.5 hours.

The campfire and dinner was it's usual fest of dellicious food prepared by Chez Grant Cheadle and campfire camaraderie.

Sunday brought a pessimistic view to the group when there was no wind in the valley.  But, the morning was cloudy and there were lenticulars all across the valley.  I pointed out the many lenticulars standing stil while the general clouds were whizzing northward across the valley.  Randy Teel, always ready to launch at first light was first in line and made a bee line for the usual wave bar at Albion.  He released a bit low and had to struggle to get up, but did nonetheless.  Steve Michelik was next in line and a newcomer to Talihina, although Steve and I flew hang gliders there for many years.  Steve towed a little higher and connected with wave.  Grant and myself were next and being experienced we knew just where to go and how high to connect.  And we did.  Omri was next followed by Ed King and then Andre.  All connected and we flew from 10 am to about 3 pm to get an early start home.  Conditions were still holding when we all decided to come down.  Probably could have flown til dusk.  Several of us go to around 9300' MSL.  Talihina airport is at 690'.

Another great soaring weekend in Talihina.  I remember three years ago only a few of us went up there to explore the potential.  Now we are on the map as a viable year round soaring site.  More guys are showing up and vowing to come back.  There is some kind of soarable conditions every time we go up there.  Ed King commented while in the air that this was the smoothest wave he has ever been in.  It is usually very benign, but I have seen her in the throes of anger; but only once.  Where else can you get ridge and wave soaring to over 9000' in November only 190 miles north of Dallas?