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Old March 24th 04, 12:30 AM
BTIZ
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another great "small world" story.. wish I could be there..

BT

"Burt Compton" wrote in message
...
First Arrival at the Marfa Wave Camp.

A car with a glider trailer slowly approached my "Marfa Gliders" hangar,
thankfully creating very little dust. I thought "here is someone who

knows how
to drive on an airport!"

Noticing the New York vehicle tags, I greeted the driver and lady

passenger
with my newly acquired "Howdy, welcome to west Texas." The fellow told

me his
name was Leon Wiggins. I took a wild guess and asked if he knew Bernie
Wiggins, the legendary soaring meteorologist that advised the pilots at

many US
Nationals at Elmira. Leon replied, "That was my father - how did you know
him?"
I said that being the son of a notable soaring pilot, Fritz Compton, I had
attended many contests in the 1950's - 1960's at Harris Hill and was

privileged
to listen in on the hangar flying discussions my Dad had with many of the

great
folks of soaring. Leon Wiggins and I had likely met as youngsters on

Harris
Hill. How about that!

So, Leon Wiggins and wife are the first arrivals for the spring soaring

camp.
They are staying in our guest cottage, and he plans to fly a couple of

days
with us, then drive into Mexico to take the scenic "Copper Canyon" train

ride.
They will be back in time to participate in the Marfa Wave Camp April 3 -

11.

Not only is Leon the first to arrive, but likely has driven the longest
distance to Marfa from New York, about 2,100 miles.

I believe our spring rains have ended in west Texas, which made the grass

grow
a bit and will greatly reduce the dust. No strong winds yet, but our

thermal
season has certainly arrived.

Burt & Kathie Compton
Marfa Gliders, west Texas
www.FLYGLIDERS.com
1-800-667-9464