This weekend we had some pretty darn good wing for kiting. So good in fact that I doubt I should have been out there in the first place with a 3-meter wide kite, but I digress.

I grabbed my kite and made my way past a group of softball families hiding from the hot sun under tent that look like it was barely holding its own. Inside I thought that maybe I should be doing this, but I never listen to reason.

Moments later, I was being pulled and turned all over the field but pretty much maintaining control of the kite. Then, the gust hit...I wasn't prepared and wound up being drug across the field face first for nearly 20 feet. I've got two skinned knees and a "road-rashed" forearm to prove it!

However, amongst all the stares from the "softball families" I managed to get back up on my feet and the kite bounce right back up into the air like we didn't miss a beat. (I think people were thinking I was nuts because I got back up with a HUGE grin on my face, I knew today would be the day that I'd get my first "air-time."

Not less that 5-minutes after my nose-dive I felt the kite give another heavy tug so I went for it and jumped. I probably got no more than 4 or 5 feet off the ground but it felt like alot more. I swung in about an 18 foot arc and came back down on both feet and let out a yell that I'm sure stopped the at least one of the two games going on not far my from me.

I got to leave the ground one more time after that, but ended up losing my had and landing on flat on my butt. The wind wasn't stopping and I had damage my pride in front of eveyone else long enough, so I packed up and came home, bloody knees and all.

Needless to say, that was the best kiting day ever since I bought the thing and can't wait to catch a bit more air again! Bring on winter and the snowboards.

Incidentally, I'd like to get some of this on video, so as long as I'm not looking like a complete IDIOT next time, maybe I'll get to post some action.