The forecast called for mild 60 degree weather with no winds for this January morning. Surely this was a late Christmas gift from the rocket gods so Toni and I did not hesitate throwing a rocket into the Highlander and heading to Higgs Farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We met everyone at the field after enjoying a nice country breakfast at Holly’s. We knew attendance at this launch would be high due to the nice weather and of course, the annual Christmas Tree Drag Race.

The snow geese voiced their displeasure but reluctantly returned the field to us as they departed in a flurry of hundreds of wings flapping in thundering unison. A wet fog hung over the field and the sky had cloud cover that was low enough to reach up and touch with your hand. We made quick work setting up the field and then waited for the fog to burn off and the cloud ceiling to rise. Before long we were enjoying mild sunshine in short sleeves without a zephyr to be found, which was extremely unusual for Higgs Farm in January.

Shaken, Not Stirred was prepped after some early flyers tested out the winds. CTI H225 White propellant was chosen for propulsion and a brand new debonair black and white elliptical main parachute was packed. This was an expensive chute and completed the refurbishing of Shaken, Not Stirred. Shaken, Not Stirred jumped off the pad at the conclusion of the countdown among the lingering smoke from the previous rocket which provided an illusion of fog. I underestimated the cloud ceiling and Shaken, Not Stirred quickly disappeared from view at about 1000 feet. I frantically waited for Shaken, Not Stirred's reappearance while the seconds ticked like minutes. Finally, Shaken, Not Stirred emerged from the low clouds just before the new main parachute was deployed. Shaken, Not Stirred majestically descended under the black and white chute into the parking area narrowly missing multiple vehicles. Shaken, Not Stirred's 52nd flight achieved 1,519 feet in altitude. See the poor video here.

Up next was the much anticipated 5th annual Christmas Tree Drag Race. Environmentally sounded rocketeers who experienced a great Christmas provide thanks to the rocket gods by giving their Christmas Trees a second chance. This ritual is accomplished by strapping a rocket motor to the tree and sending it up to the skies. This year there were six entrants with various degrees of Christmas Trees from Charlie Brown type branches to fully decorated trees. The anticipation was heighted when a faulty igniter required replacing. The countdown started when all Christmas Trees toned continuity. At the end of the countdown, all the trees launched with a thunderous roar spewing huge bellowing plumes of fire and smoke. The Christmas Trees flew as well as the expected aerodynamics dictated and the crowd expressed their delight with loud cheers and applause. See the Christmas Tree Drag Race here.

We stayed and filmed some other flights and tried to soak up the sun’s warmth as much as possible. However, the sun completed its race to the west and took the warm temperatures with it as it settled below the horizon. A nice day in January is a rare treat and Toni and I were glad that we took advantage of it. Until the next launch . . .