Thanksgiving weekend at Santa Ynez, California

After a several year hiatus, the Thanksgiving weekend soaring
get-together is returning to Santa Ynez. The new towplane/ride operator
will have two towplanes flying Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and there
will be a BBQ Saturday evening. Reportedly at least two well-known
competition/XC pilots will be attending.

At this get-together in the past, there often were weak thermals, as
well as ridge and wave lift. This is a good way to enjoy sunny, 70
degree weather while the rest of the country is undergoing its first
deep chill.

Santa Ynez is 30 miles from Santa Barbara, and four miles from Solvang,
both big tourist destinations that can be enjoyed by family members who
are not into soaring.

Here is a video that gives an idea of the terrain in the area:

http://tinyurl.com/lenfutx

Page 2 of this article discusses the general soaring conditions in the area:

www.socalsoaring.com/newsletter/scs_1.pdf

Page 4 of this article (which has an overly pessimistic view of summer
conditions) discusses wave flights in the area:

http://www.socalsoaring.com/newslett...marapr2006.pdf