KermieD
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2009
- Messages
- 3,019
- Reaction score
- 7
So, we get done doing the TDD launches, and I happen to have my Packer rocket (complete with 2 player autographs 
) ready to go on a Cesaroni I284 Smoky Sam. Beautiful launch arcing into the wind (which was good because I thought I would have a shorter walk since it was pretty windy--HA!!). The rocket separates just after apogee, but the chute gets stuck for about a second or two before opening (another bonus, or so I thought at the time--shorter walk again). Well the thing drifts way over to the other side of the road (dunno--maybe a quarter mile). So, I note a couple of landmarks and hop in the car to go get the rocket.
When I pull to the side of the road, my worst fears are verified. A guy shouts "We found your rocket" to me. Close by, here's a guy sitting on the shore of a pond holding a 20 ft. pole. However, the rocket is probably another 40-60 feet beyond the reach of the pole. On the positive side, there's a layer of ice on the top of the pond yet, so the rocket is sitting there nice and dry. On the negative side, the ice isn't much more than 1/2" thick, so there's no way anyone can just walk on it to go get the rocket.
Just as the guy who originally shouted to me is discussing how someone has a fishing pole with high-test line, a weight and a slingshot, the guy holding the pole goes "hang on a sec and let me get my boots". I figure the boots come up to about mid-calf, and I'm looking out at the rocket, thinking "what a doofus, there's no way he's gonna get out that far before he gets in over his boots". Well, he starts wading out, kinda feeling his way on the ice. I'm figuring he's checking to see if maybe it's a little thicker as you go out.
Nope. He gets out to the top of his boots and then starts STOMPING on the ice to break it up. This guy (who is now my hero) ends up wading through the pond all the way up to his waist, where he hooks my rocket and brings it back. I thank him profusely and he goes "Bah, no problem. I've got dry clothes at the hotel." You gotta understand, this water can't be more than 35 degrees F.
About 20 minutes ago, I'm browsing the Wisconsin TDD thread and realize that my hero is none other than our own mge55389!! Mike, I am forever in your debt!!!
) ready to go on a Cesaroni I284 Smoky Sam. Beautiful launch arcing into the wind (which was good because I thought I would have a shorter walk since it was pretty windy--HA!!). The rocket separates just after apogee, but the chute gets stuck for about a second or two before opening (another bonus, or so I thought at the time--shorter walk again). Well the thing drifts way over to the other side of the road (dunno--maybe a quarter mile). So, I note a couple of landmarks and hop in the car to go get the rocket.When I pull to the side of the road, my worst fears are verified. A guy shouts "We found your rocket" to me. Close by, here's a guy sitting on the shore of a pond holding a 20 ft. pole. However, the rocket is probably another 40-60 feet beyond the reach of the pole. On the positive side, there's a layer of ice on the top of the pond yet, so the rocket is sitting there nice and dry. On the negative side, the ice isn't much more than 1/2" thick, so there's no way anyone can just walk on it to go get the rocket.
Just as the guy who originally shouted to me is discussing how someone has a fishing pole with high-test line, a weight and a slingshot, the guy holding the pole goes "hang on a sec and let me get my boots". I figure the boots come up to about mid-calf, and I'm looking out at the rocket, thinking "what a doofus, there's no way he's gonna get out that far before he gets in over his boots". Well, he starts wading out, kinda feeling his way on the ice. I'm figuring he's checking to see if maybe it's a little thicker as you go out.
Nope. He gets out to the top of his boots and then starts STOMPING on the ice to break it up. This guy (who is now my hero) ends up wading through the pond all the way up to his waist, where he hooks my rocket and brings it back. I thank him profusely and he goes "Bah, no problem. I've got dry clothes at the hotel." You gotta understand, this water can't be more than 35 degrees F.
About 20 minutes ago, I'm browsing the Wisconsin TDD thread and realize that my hero is none other than our own mge55389!! Mike, I am forever in your debt!!!
