"The Search for D"Artangan"
Two weeks prior at the Delamar launch, the Gates Brothers launched D'Artangan on four K250's. Two on the ground and two air started. It went out of sight (no pun intended.) I decided to load up the kids and trek out to see if I could find it.
Dirk informed that he had calculated that D'Artangan could be 10+ miles down range based on the wind. Therefore, I followed the power line road down 12 miles and found a dirt road that headed East. I took it up about three miles and it swerved back toward the dry lake. I saw this water tank and thought it would make a good land mark to section off the territory.
We started trekking south again. about half way down, I saw the coolest nature event ever. About 15ft to the right of the truck a Red Tailed hawk swooped down and caught a rattlesnake and flew away! I wasn't fast enough to grab my camera and shoot it. :(
We decided to take out the recovery vehicle (Yamaha Breeze) to assist in the search. Something to keep the kids busy.
As we returned back to our starting point, I decided to head back down the power line road and check the trajectory for a land dart entry. As we searched the fields, I noticed a large raven flying over head. We quickly found out that is was a female raven protecting her nest on one of the power poles. As we approached the nest, the Raven become uneasy and chased us away. It was funny. Reminded my on Mr. Hitchcock.
Unfortunately four hours of searching was unfruitful. I vowed to come back and continue the search. Stay tuned...
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