I recently realized just how many California readers were following along and enjoying 
Bucket List Publications. It became blatantly obvious to me that there is a community of fellow adventure seekers and bucket list enthusiasts as I strolled through hundreds of comments and “likes” over the last few weeks. When I consider participating in an extreme adventure, I usually just ask Darren, my husband, and I’m certain that I’ll have a partner in crime, but I’d like to extend that welcome to all of my local readers. On May 27th from 10am-1pm, Darren and I, along with his brother, are going to Southern California Soaring Academy for an introductory glider pilot lesson and we’d love to see you there.
The academy has an abundance of options including one passenger flights, two passenger flights, and introductory lessons. One passenger rides start with 2,500′ tow at 20 minutes. If you want to just get a taste of soaring, this is the ride for you. You will be towed to 2,500 feet above the valley floor, where you will release from the tow plane and gently glide back to earth. This 20 minute package is $109. There is also a 30 minute package for $149 and a 45 minute package for $199. If you’d prefer a 2 passenger ride, they are available as well. Darren, Kevin, and I will be participating in the introductory pilot lesson. Our lesson includes an instruction on aerodynamics, rules of the road, and hands on control of the aircraft. How cool is that? Maybe a glider flight doesn’t “fly” with you, but you’re welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy Soaring Academy’s facilities while watching others take off.
We’ll be taking pictures during the day and I’ll include an article on Bucket List Publications a few days after the event.
Do you want to do something adventurous? Do you enjoy a great view from the sky? Do you want to meet like-minded people? Come out and join us! But book early because there are less than 10 spots left.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at [email protected] or by placing a comment below.
If you’d like to join us, contact Southern California Soaring Academy at http://www.soaringacademy.org/index.php or by phone at 661-944-1090.
Airport Address for directions:
Crystalaire Airport
32810 165th St. East
Llano, CA 93544
661-944-1090
See you in the sky!
Ok Lesley! We have a glider school at the military base in Comox, B.C. Canada I live five minutes from the base gates. I see the cadets soaring overhead and I long to try this. One of these days I will do it. Your post may prove to be the catalyst. Thank you!
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You should call and book. Life is too short to say, “maybe tomorrow” 🙂
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Oh would you stop already! My own Bucket List just keeps getting bigger every time you put stuff like this out there. Can’t join you this time, but maybe someday!
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Aw I’d love to do this! Unfortunately I cannot. Ah well, such is life.
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I’m actually FROM California, I love seeing all of the hidden treasures as life was way different for me and what I wanted to do back then. This gives me things to plan when I come back to visit family … :0)
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This looks just like the tiny airstrip in the 60s movie classic Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
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Wow, I would absolutely love to do this…. so why the heck not?! Still got any spots left?
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Matt, that would be great! Just book your spot at http://www.soaringacademy.org/ or call 661.944.1090. Talk to Julie and she’ll schedule you.
I can’t wait to meet you. Send me a message if you have any questions. [email protected]
🙂
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Happy you’re joining us. I look forward to meeting you 🙂
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What a fun idea to invite your readers! I wish we were closer. Instead I’ll just send you adventurous best wishes from Germany. I love reading your blog/magazine!
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WOW sounds like fun, looks like you had a great day.
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Oh, yes!!!! I had a surprise gift of a glider flight while I was travelling in Northern Ireland a few years ago. It was my birthday, and Irish friends decided to give me the gift of a lifetime. I had instructions and then soared above the coast of Northern Ireland and … I was the pilot!!! My instructor was right beside me, but I was the one flying the glider. What a feeling – to soar silently above green fields, cliffs and sea … I wrote about it in one of my blogs (http://fabfiftyfive.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/soaring-to-unexpected-heights/)
I know you’ll have a great time 🙂
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Wow! I wish we have one like this here…I’ll do my best to learn how to fly a plane before my 40th! Most likely, by then, I can drop by the States to maybe fly with you guys! (^_^)
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That looks amazing! I get to visit SoCal for the first time a week after you guys do this. Can’t wait to hear about your experience!
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You should book a lesson. I can’t wait 🙂
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Wow, how cool. Wish I could join you! Have fun. I look forward to hearing all about it!
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If I was in Southern California and didn’t have a broken ankle I so would! :] I am in Northern Cali…Have fun! :]
-Melanie Gordon
Independent Scentsy Consultant
http://www.MelanieGordon.Scentsy.us
[email protected]
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I can do just about anything but fly. I tried it once and it scared me to death. I’ll live vicariously through you, but thanks for the invite and have the best time ever.
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I wish I knew about you when I lived in SoCal – Can I come with you when I return? 🙂
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Sounds like a plan 🙂
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I hate that I can’t press the like button.
I am faithfully and vicariously following your adventures because I’m a ‘fraidy cat. So long as I’m quiet, you won’t notice me along for the ride.
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Great idea. I’m sure a lot of your fans been wanting to come along our adventures.
I might go if work schedule permits.
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It’s a weekend; I’m sure you can make it work. Join us! It’ll be great. 🙂
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Just said it because I’m bit shy. Bwahahaha. But now that you said it that way, I’ll go. 😀
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There are four other people joining us so far! It’s going to be awesome. Don’t forget to book early; they are going to fill up.
Let me know if you have any questions. 🙂
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WOW – I did this once, when my husband, who was then still my boyfriend, treated me to a glider ride here in North Texas. It was a bit scary for me at first as I was not prepared, but soon settled in and even took the wheel for a bit. The view is hard to beat!
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I’m excited to pilot the glider. In the last year, I’ve piloted a helicopter and an airplane. This is the last pilot lesson on my bucket list… for this year. 🙂
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Oh I wish I could go! Unfortunately I’ll be road-tripping to the Grand Canyon that weekend
but it’ll be another Bucket List item to get crossed off this year 😀
Have funnnnn!!! Hopefully next time you have another adventure I can join in.
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I’ve always wanted to fly in a glider – I’m going to check out Llano when I travel nearby – thanks!
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I’ve just found your blog for the first time today, after you visited mine (I am a big traveller but very new to blogging), you look like you’d be great and fun people to know, it’s fantastic to see people making the most of life and helping others do the same. We have just recently been to California in the last few weeks but have moved on already unfortunately, currently in Quebec, and we’ll be in Europe by the time you take to the skies. You will have a blast, I have been gliding a number of times as my Dad is a glider pilot in Australia and there are many gliding clubs there. His adventuring, puts me to shame, the kind of guy that wonders why so many things are missing from the ‘1000 things to do before you die’ books. He had his own sea plane (motorized) which he crashed a couple of years ago due to an engine failure, and he was straight back out there, after his recovery, flying and gliding a few months later. He says the gliders are safer than the small power planes any day, because you don’t have to worry about engine failure! I am not sure I have followed the time line of your blog properly, have you just had a baby and you’re out doing these things already? If so, way to go! We are currently on a 6 month round the world trip with a 1 and 3 year old, it’s very different to our pre kid adventures, but I am learning from it and loving it. Anyway, have fun on your flight, I bet you make some good friends in the process.
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Please [email protected] once you’re airborne!
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Gliding with an experienced pilot who can do some aerobatics for an extra thrill is great fun.
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I have an aversion to heights but paraglided in Colombia a few years back. I could consider this.
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how awesome! I’m in San Diego 🙂
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You should come up and join us 🙂
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Being in a Glider is so peaceful, it is amazing how much fun it is when you finally detach from the tow plane!
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I’ll be flying the day before, on May 26, as my 18th anniversary present to my spouse and me. We’re taking the one-hour flight over San Diego and along the coast.
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Beautiful! I’d love to hear how it goes. 🙂
Happy Anniversary!
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Oh that sounds like fun if one isn’t terrified of heights like me! The prices aren’t so bad either. My husband would love that. I think there is too much fun to be had on the West coast. 🙂
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Wow. Would really have liked to do this, but will be in NY at the time. Have a great time!!!
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I’m in! But my spot is at 11 o’clock.
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That’s great! We’ll be there. I look forward to meeting you.
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This is something I’d been wanting to do, but unfortunately there’s none in the Philippines, I think.
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Lesley, I hope you really soar — both literally and figuratively — through this next adventure and keep soaring and inspiring all of us.
Meanwhile, I’ll stick to two wheels on the ground!
Diana Bletter
Author of the forthcoming memoir, The Mom Who Took Off On Her Motorcycle
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Totally agree – amazing!!! (And, it lands on just two wheels?)
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Hello, Lesley
Thanks for the like! We WOULD LOVE to join you today , BUT we will be kayaking today.As a matter of fact, you should be starting at the same time that I’m writing this. We’d love to meet you , though.We are going kayaking through some caverns today…in another hour.
I will say that the idea of flying , in various forms, is on the list.
Cheers
Kevin
No Frills Thrills
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Gliding seems cool, landing seems scary lol
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Great blog! Love to read about aviation content. Glad you liked my blog on flying the Phoenix Class Bravo circuit. I’ll be back to see what else you are up to.
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I used to love gliding. Have not done it for many years now but the ‘want’ is still there!
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Wish I’d been a follower at that time! If you do any other southern california adventures, count me in!! (I just went Hang Gliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport – AMAZING time if you haven’t done it yet!)
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