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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2012)
20 Winter 2012 Applegater pIlOtS last. Before launch, Dave Palmer gave me a crash course (no pun intended) on the evolution of hang gliding from his first standard Rogallo, developed in the early 1970s, to the topless he flies today. Wow, what a difference. Preparing for launch with two pioneers of free flight was very exciting, but even more exciting was thermalling 2,000 feet over launch with a hang glider in such close proximity. My valley never looked so small and peaceful CONtINUed FROm pAGe 1 than it did in that hour of soaring above the beautiful landscape. Thank you all sincerely. Andy Pallotta 541-227-4426 noteaparties2@hotmail.com NOTE: In addition to being a supporter of the international Rat Race Paragliding Competition, Dave Palmer (see photo, page 1) and his wife Pam own Jacksonville Vineyards and Fiasco Andy Pallotta and Mike Haley soaring over Applegate Valley. Winery. Here is some information from their website about them: Natives of Grants Pass, Oregon, Dave and Pamela Palmer are the owners of Jacksonville Vineyards and Fiasco Winer y. Before this wonderful life of farming and wine-making, they lived completely different lives as most winery owners did. Dave’s early passion for flying hang gliders (1976) led him to a career as an US Air Force fighter pilot training others to fly jets. At retirement he moved on to cargo planes as an international airline pilot, which sent him around the globe for two weeks of each month. The Palmer’s travels led them around the world and opened many doors (not to mention their eyes) to some awesome sights, smells they’ll never forget, and an appreciation for their own country. Pamela received a degree in dental hygiene while living in Lubbock, Texas. While in the Philippines she volunteered to spend many hours in the jungles, with the monkeys swinging from the trees as she would line up eager patients and assist in extracting teeth of natives in pain. The SMART reading program, Craterian Theatre, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and other foundations are among her other passions. “Look who’s reading the Gater” will return next issue. Please support our advertisers! They help make this paper possible.
