THE TALE OF THE WONDERING WINDSOCK

Here on Cedar Wind Farm there is a grass runway that runs through our hay fields.  The property is lined with tall trees and there are a lot of big woods patches and up and down terrain.  From the air it can be a bit hard to spot as the runway looks just like the hay fields and indeed is mostly all inclusive.

We have quite a number of geriatric horses on the farm.  There are several 24 year olds and old Steven is 30 this year.  They all have stalls but 3 or 4 of these guys wonder freely over the property during the day at will.  These horses are known as the CWF, Mobile, Antique, Equine Lawn Ornaments.   

During hunting season we seriously lack confidence in the eyesight of the local hunters.  It is deer season and a solid white little Arab mare certainly resembles the running white tailed deer.  Of course there is no hunting allowed on our farm or the ones next to us but our lack of confidence also ranges to their ability to read posted signs!!

Steven, the 30 year old Thoroughbred and Pegasus, our Arab mare and her Dutch, liver chestnut companion, Roemer are free to graze the hayfields after the last hay cutting.  Because of the hunters Pegasus is sporting a fine day glow orange turn out sheet these days.  It is basically the same color as the wind sock.

We occasionally have guests that fly in for a short visit.  On one occasion our friend, Randy, was flying in.  Our strip can be a bit hard to spot from the air.  There are farms all around and hay fields, horses, woods that all look much the same.  Randy has always strained to find the windsock that would indicate that he had found our runway.  Then, determining the wind direction he would make a choice of landing direction.  

On this day from 3000 ft and 3 miles away Randy spotted a very bright, large windsock and was delighted that Bob had replaced the old dull orange one.  He flew directly to the strip and flew over said “windsock” and made a landing choice.  Circling around to lose altitude he noted a great change in the wind direction and the sock seemed to be straight out indicating high wind.  Again he circled for another pass to check for deer or again check wind direction.   On this pass he noted that the windsock had moved to the other side of the runway!   There on the pole hung the old dull windsock, still in service as the wondering version trotted on about her business with Roemer close behind.