06/04/08 Drop in anytime

A few years back paragliding was pretty popular around our part of the northwest. These thrill seekers would launch themselves in an area close to the ranch where air currents would keep them aloft out over the valley and then they would land in some lower areas. One adventurer got air-borne one day, went out over the valley and then caught a breeze that took him back over the ranch. That uplifting little bit of air played out in between to sets of cliffs, deposited Mr. Paraglider on a rocky knob in the pasture where he broke his ankle on landing. His buddies had friendlier breezes and they landed where they could contact emergency personnel. The paramedics and county deputy contacted me and asked permission to go rescue this individual. I said no problem but you won't get where he's at without a four-wheel drive so my son and I offered to take them to the area. The professionals stabilized the injured ankle and eased the unfortunate fellow across the front seat of the pick up so he could lean against me for the trip out. That trip was no picnic over an almost road of rocks and sagebrush. On the cruise home the guy got to hurting pretty bad and asked if there was different way home. I told him I could have let him ride a horse with his ankle hanging down or secured him over a packhorse. He thought the road really did seem to smoothing out. I'm Jeff Keane.