There’s a place close to me that is called “the eagle highway” where eagles use the geo thermal lift to make their yearly migration from Mexico to Alaska. We watch them use the thermal lift to travel along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

It reminds me, that often fight against nature in the hopes that we can make our lives better, when we should just embrace it and use it to travel great distances.

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Indeed. I have been in thermals and had a hawk off my wingtip checking me out. Monarch butterflies use thermals and mountain wave to migrate too. There are mainly 3 kinds of lift. Thermals, ridge, and wave.

Very cool. Does it require a different type of piloting technique, or is a lift a lift?

If want to learn to fly learning in gliders is best first step. Better stick and rudder skills. Most places have soaring clubs can learn affordably. Plus a lot of experienced pilots help learn.

It makes me appreciate how much energy is all around us. Some people meditate, I go soaring.

It must be so peaceful up there! How long did it take to learn how to do it?

I grew up flying with my Dad so always remember flying mainly powered planes. But soaring is elevating flying to an art form. 😉