Ben was home from the University of Maryland for the holidays and was excited to fly some rockets. However, when it came time to leave the house at 06:30 AM, Ben claimed he was too tired and the weather too cold. Toni was also not feeling well so once again I packed the Highlander with some rockets and made the lonely trek to Price, Maryland, to put some rockets into the air. I stopped and enjoyed a very large breakfast at the Batters Up before arriving at the field. I looked at the 20 degree temperature outside and then gazed over the snow covered fields and wondered if I had crossed some line, from enthusiasm to idiocy. Soon other idiots, I mean enthusiasts, arrived and I did not feel so bad. It did not take us long to have the field set up.

The sun was shinning through the morning haze and provided an illusion of warmth despite the 20 degree weather. However, there was no wind, not even a stray zephyr. The flight line was a flurry of activity as many rocketeers wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity at Higgs Farm. I was no exception.

I quickly prepped Shaken, Not Stirred with a Loki H144 motor and took it to the pads. This was Shaken, Not Stirred's 30th flight and I took extra precautions in the hopes of having many more flights with my favorite rocket. I armed the altimeter and engaged the onboard video camera. I took my launch card to the LCO and waited for liftoff. Shaken, Not Stirred leapt off the pad on a straight and true trajectory in the frigid, windless skies before arcing over at 1,256 feet and deploying its drogue. At 400 feet the main parachute deployed and Shaken, Not Stirred landed on the permafrost with a thud. The onboard video camera took a beating but otherwise there was no damage. Celebrate Shaken, Not Stirred's 30th flight and onboard video here.

Next rocket to the pads was Mini Sweet Vengeance on an Estes black powder D12. Mini Sweet Vengeance slowly ascended on its mighty D12 and arced over slightly at 500 feet where the main parachute successfully deployed. Mini Sweet Vengeance softly landed close to the LCO without any damage. Enjoy Mini Sweet Vengeance’s up close and personal flight here.

I dusted off my Der Big Red Max and loaded a C11 into the back end for propulsion. I fought the kids and I won a spot for my rocket on the A rack. Der Big Red Max spit and sputtered until arcing over at around 800 feet. The rocket deployed its oversized purple parachute and Der Big Red Max slowly descended, barely missing the speaker before touching down without any damage. See Der Big Red Max’s flight here.

That was my last flight for the day. There were many other flights that can be seen here. I left the launch early so Monica could use the Highlander. There was no traffic on the journey home until Annapolis, where a two mile backup of cars were fighting to get into Annapolis Mall. I quickly skirted around the poor saps and was thankful that my Christmas Shopping was finished. I arrived home just as I was beginning to thaw out. However, a cold day flying rockets beats a warm day not flying rockets. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all. Until the next launch . . .