A  typical day here begins at the juice stand, with a tall orange juice - fresh squeezed! Then it's over to the cafe for an omlette and some java. Today is a bit windier than yesterday, but it looks good and a three turnpoint then goal task is called. This is going to be interesting! I launch just after Josh, and we climb easily out over launch. The air is a bit twitchy, but no big mixers like I had yestarday.
      The tarp opens with most pilots at about 9K and we head for El Pinon. Rock and Roll to the top, then I went out front toward the spine of the mesa instead of to the Wall (washing machine). As I flew toward the mesa, Manuel's glider blew and he went down on the top under reserve. I came in low in the lee of the spine and got my butt kicked in rotored thermals until I was able to climb over the razor edged spine leading out to the small town with the red church, our first turnpoint.
      Mark Fergusen and I had climbed out high, so our first turnpoint photo was a snap, and we flew back to the thermal markers at the base of the spine. Not finding an organized lift source there, we continued on around the corner into the sunny lee side again hoping for the rising air, and once again we found it and headed for El Pinon again.
      Both of us flew out of the lift into the biggest blue hole, and minutes later we were scratching the hills below the massive rock pinnacle. Finally connecting just before setting up on final, we again climbed up the rock face and over the top to about 10K. Back to the three houses near launch, but the air was too crappy to take the picture! Finally managed to get it done with a few asym's and much gyrating. Now on to goal!
      Heading back to the Pinon for the last time today, I got some really nasty air sharks biting at my Vertex, and it took three trys to finally hit altitude over the top. Now I see Joshcoming back from the razor spine and realize that I still have another turnpoint to get! I totally forgot it! I think back to my last photo and wonder if I was in the right sector. I did take one right over the house, so I decide not to go back and get my ass kicked again.
      OK, back to the spine to troll for lurking air sharks. Hooking up nicely with a big fatty, I cruise out and get the photo of the cindercone in a headwind, then turn and blast back for the fat one. It was still there, and I climb out of the valley while others grovel against the spine.
      Heading straight to the Wall, I see Mark ridge soaring and just barely maintaining. Then it starts to lift and we both climb and drift towards goal up and over the mesa. At 10,700 ft I go for the glide, although I only have a 7.5 ratio to goal. I head more westerly and Mark goes for the east route (does he know something I don't?). I see him climb a few turns as I'm getting low, so I head for another field fire hoping for a boost. As I smell the smoke, I begin to climb. Up, up and away to over 10K again and Mark is laughing at me! I continue to climb as I follow him to goal and realize why he's laughing - we're still going up! I arrive at goal about a minute behind him, and we're both stinking high! Confirming my goal time, I head out again for another tour of the west end of Valle de Bravo, this time going all the way to the peninsula to view the many pools on the western slope.
      Heading back to the LZ, I hit what I consider to be some pretty rough air for the downwind side of the lake, but I'm still way over El Torre, and figure it must be some kind of mechanical turbulence from the hot mountains on the other side of the lake, after all, I can see big gusts on the water! I fly out over the water and pull a B-line stall on the Vertex. Very smooth, stable and dropping fast! Releasing gently but deliberately, the glider surges about 30 degrees, very nice! Much less than almost every thermal I had earlier in the day! Some spiral dives and a few wingovers and I end what was to be my best flight in Valle de Bravo.