Cinco de Mayo fly-in, Mt. St. Helena, 5/5/2001
Ernie here.It's happening. Saturday, May 5, at St. Helena. We'll have a keg of Sierra Nevada and a Mexican feast like we had last year. The location will Mrs. Campbell's field, right across the road from the entrance to the Bavarian Lions Ranch (not the same field as last year). Expect to be at the LZ, ready to head up the mountain, by 10AM. We'll be setting up under a huge, beautiful oak tree, so there will be shade. Bring a chair.
Here's the rules:
1. Only 20 pilots can fly. First come first served. As soon as you notify me or Leo - either on the Bulletin Board, by email, or by phone, I'll put you down. We have about 12 signed up so far so if you haven't signed up, you'd better do it now.
2. If you say you're coming to fly, you're on the hook for $20. Whether you come or not; whether you fly or not. We have to pay for our expenses.
3. If you're not flying, but will be eating, you'll be expected to contribute $20.
4. Children will eat for free.
5. Tell me if you're planning on flying.
6. Tell me how many others are coming with you - number of adults and children.
7. Tell me what each person will be drinking: beer, wine, soda.
8. Tell me if one of your party can be a driver. We can only have 3 vehicles on the mountain at a time. It will be possible that 4 or 5 vehicles total will go up. That's because some will wait at the gate until others have unloaded and come down. This year there will be no exceptions to this rule. Again: only 3 vehicles on the mountain at a time. So, the drivers of those 3 to 5 vehicles will eat for free. But, only drivers who go up the mountain get this bonus.
This presented a problem last year in that we had several more potential drivers than the number that actually went up the hill. If we have enough adults attend the party to cover the costs, then I'd like to see all potential drivers eat for free. The problem is that we need about 27 people to pay $20 in order to break even. I'd suggest that if you have a potential driver in your party, tell me, and expect for them to contribute $20. Then if we're able to waive it, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
9. The meal will consist of chicken tostadas, pork tamales, and beef taquitos, along with rice and beans. If you're vegetarian, The rice and beans may work, but I suspect some fat may be in the beans - I'll check.
Those of you who have already said you'll come, please let me know these other details. I need them to properly plan for food and drink.
--ernie camacho--
Here's Leo's notice again:
Subj: [SonomaWings] Cinco De Mayo Fly In
For the last couple of years we have held a Cinco de Mayo fly in at St Helena, with beer, food, and prizes. Jane Campbell has again given us permission to use her field to land in and hold the party. Cinco de Mayo is on saturday this year, and coincidentally it's on the 5th of May!
We can do the incredible catered Mexican food again with a keg of Sierra Nevada or similiar. The cost will probably be about $20 each. The last two years there was more food and beer than we could consume.
We will be limited to 20 pilots by our permit, but we can have as many guests as we wish.
This is only two weeks away, so if we want to do it then we will have to get weaving on the organisation part. I propose inviting only Sonoma Wings pilots initially, say until the 30th April - if there are still places available then we can ask some of our friends. If you want to come then let me know and I will put you on the list - first come first served. (One thing - if you request a place you will be honor bound to cough up for the food and beer, even if you don't show up or it pisses down with rain. At least one person did not pay last year after saying they would come - they still owe me and Ernie $20!) Drivers should not have to pay. Kids half price.
Hopefully this will be a good opportunity to get to know some of the local landowners better. I have asked Jane Campbell to invite her neighbors, including some who have landable fields, and I will ask Pierre and the Newmans. The flying will be epic this year, but we'll have a party anyway.
Leo