When there is a strong southwest wind like on Tuesday (and it looks like on Wednesday) you've pretty much got to go to the northeast. It's a beautiful area with lots of big lakes, which you also have to avoid. Thankfully there are plenty of possible landing areas.

I hadn't gone off in that direction in a good number of years, but was up for it on Tuesday with Larry Bunner and his brother Rob, along with Adam Smith. We set up launch in the northeast corner.

I was pulled up first at about 1:45 PM. The wind on the ground was 13 mph out of the west southwest. I hung on until 2,900' as we were headed straight for a cloud street but hadn't reached it yet. I had to go to the upwind side of the nearest cloud about a kilometer further west before I found the good stuff and climbed out at 380 fpm to 4,800' before escaping the cloud.

The wind was averaging 20 mph out of the west southwest but I didn't find any turbulence on tow or while thermaling. As I topped out I headed due north across to the cloud street to the north to avoid the rather large Lake Apopka to the east northeast. There were plenty of cu's around indicating lift, but the cloud streets were dominant.

My biggest concern was checking out possible landing areas. Of course, I was quite high so no need for one right away, but I wanted to see how setting tasks in this direction would fair during the upcoming competitions. Lots of swamps, and lakes, and small towns, but plenty of possible LZ's, also.

I worked light lift to the west of Lake Minneola just to stay high enough to be comfortable and have as many options as possible. I have to keep moving to the north east cross wind to get around the lakes and head toward the turnpoint at Mid Florida airfield.

I work light lift west of Lake Apopka climbing to 4,200' and looking at all the wet farm lands north of the lake. I want to be sure to have other options further north so I turn that direction after toping out and head for more clouds.

Down to 2,400' northwest of the lake but heading toward farming areas that don't look all that accessible I find the first turbulence of the day. Larry is back at Wilotree Park unable to get away and being beat up by the turbulence. Se Bunner is chasing. Rob Bunner has been advised not to launch given the turbulence.

I climb at over 200 fpm to 4,800' on the line that gets me north of the lake and toward good looking possible LZ's.  I continue climbing flying straight under the cloud street to 5,100' but I'm going to miss the turnpoint at the Mid Florida airfield as the cloud street has too much west in it.

I hear from Larry that he can't get away from the flight park, so I think about landing near the turnpoint. Having passed north of Lake Apopka I turn north to head for the turnpoint. I also see lots of trees ahead on my current path and it looks a lot better if I get closer to the turnpoint.

I hear that Larry is not going to get away and so it is a good idea to land so that Sue won't have to chase just me. I find a huge field just east of the turnpoint and land coming in in a 20 mph wind and stay on the base tube all the way to the ground.

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