tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397752605939257381.post-23845698231434407822007-08-16T19:13:00.001-04:002007-08-16T19:26:58.093-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://latteier.com/kite/uploaded_images/kite-in-field-750327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; clear: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://latteier.com/kite/uploaded_images/kite-in-field-750309.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://latteier.com/kite/uploaded_images/kite-launch-750369.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; clear: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://latteier.com/kite/uploaded_images/kite-launch-750364.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Today the kite finally got off the ground. Thanks to the help of Eileen, Catia, Gabe, and Sachiko, I managed to get the kite in the air for a few seconds. The beast that I've been working on so much actually took to the air.<br /><br />Of course it soon crashed. First I ran it into a basketball backboard, and later when we moved to a soccer field it harmlessly crashed on the grass. A couple bamboo spars broke and covers ripped, but the kite survived mostly intact.<br /><br />Even though it wasn't able to fly very well I was still quite happy. For one thing, I was able to stand far enough back from the kite to confirm that it looks like a telephone. Also I think with more wind, larger spreaders, and better bridling it might fly reasonably well.<br /><br />Now the kite's packed up in the back of the rental car awaiting our departure tomorrow morning.Amos Latteierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831399625021113688noreply@blogger.com