Icarus with an engine

They think they are modern Icaruses — these would-be human birds with wings. Only this species of mortal is not hang-gliding gently on air currents over breathtakingly beautiful coastlines or high above flat desert landscapes viewed from hundreds or thousands of feet above. They are not quiet as a bird in flight and respectful of natural forces.

No, this descendent of Icarus is a willful, haughty, quick-fix type of person who goes for the instant gratification of an ugly new (or maybe not so new, I am not sure) pastime called paragliding. I have watched them from my chair on the beach overlooking the ocean as they take off, airplane-like motors kicking to life like noisy motorcycles revving up, hurling themselves into the sky on plumes of exhaust and high-decibel engine thrust, an abbreviated parachute over their heads, hands grasping the lift and forward motion controls. Brave aviators, all of them.

Not content to go aloft to any great height because they’re afraid to leave their safety zones, they buzz the coast a hundred or so feet above the beach like angry horseflies that you wish you could swat with a giant flyswatter. The hideous noise these brainless thrill-seekers make in their pitiful little contraptions destroys the peace and tranquility of those of us below who come to find respite and relief from just such noise as these terrible flying pests produce.

Unlike Icarus who flew too close to the sun and saw his wax wings melt, paragliders are content to stay close to earth and disturb others all along the beach, successfully staying aloft because of their powerful engines.

These selfish and inconsiderate weekend “adventurers” are close cousins to another equally loathesome despoiler of the peace — the infamous jet skier — who wildly and loudly bounces over the waves in little speedboats built for one that can be heard near and far. I hate to sound like a curmudgeon, but jet skis and paragliders should be banned from the face of the earth, not just from national parks and wilderness areas. I am convinced the world would be a far better place without them.

So ends my diatribe. I am glad to have gotten this off my chest. Whew!

LOL Oswego, but I’m with you, a giant flyswatter could come in handy. 🙂

They should be banned!!! You know what Oswego? Last night I was reading your “Absurdly Mundane” entry! Do you still have that Harriet Carter Catalogue? You could try their Pest Contro-thing! You mentioned it’s for sale. Wouldn’t that be a great bargain now? Maybe it helps against them too!?! :o)

Considering I just posted an entry titled “A Little Peace and Quiet,” I certainly understand 😉

When does hunting season on those darned things open? 😉

Thank heavens there are people out there like you, Oswego, who know what true beauty and peace is. I came to say goodbye, my friend, for now or perhaps for always as I have closed my diary. I have made no total decision yet but will not write here again for awhile at least. I have so enjoyed your beautiful diary, your kind notes and your friendship. Stay always as you are, my friend. [Freewind]A11

You forgot snowmobiles! The most expensive property here is on the man made lake. Several hundresd of miles of “shoreline” now littered with “McMansions”. Each one with a boat dock with several jet skis usually docked. Even in the houses you can’t escape the incessant whining of these annoying things..

Whoah. I’ve never seen, er, read you, so angry. Is it really all that bad? I should think you would have found a more philosophical approach to these mythic wannabes. I say, er, write this of course, not having ever seen or heard a glider in action. I have had the good fortune of seeing hundreds of balloonists gliding across a valley. That is something to behold. Some Men

can fly.

Hi June Alone…this is “more” than bad!!! We have some of those “noise-makers” here, and a philosophical approach? They are not worth our thinking! Hmm..maybe I sound a little angry, but I think you live in a quiet paradise! Hope they stay away from you! Enjoy your place! :o)

I sense you dislike paragliders … I’d always thought about trying it, but not at a beach. I’d be too afraid of hurting someone.

Bramble

December 5, 2001

We don’t see many of the air-borne pests, but oh, those jetskiers. I don’t know how anyone ever gets to catch a fish, nap on the beach, or swim safely with those things whizzing every which way!

Perhaps the same fate that befell Icarus will befall those annoying pests. Their cousins, the jetskiers, are here, mindlessly zooming about the ocean as if the ocean were just a THING to be buzzed. They have been banned during whale season here, and are now restricted due to public outcry and common sense…..

hehe sounds like you didn’t have a bit of peace and quiet on your last reflective walk along the beach 🙂 you’re cute !

When I was sketching 2 day @ my ocean place I saw 1 of those p.gliders. I’d never heard of one so it seemed like some vehicle from outer space.It was threatingly close & I felt invaded. So I’m with you on this one. And jet skiis.We have them on the lakes rather than the oceans.I almost got run over by a high speed motor boat while swimming in a lake once. Your writing’s great, venting or dreaming.

I meant to say “one day” not “2 day”…

Wow. Oswego’s feathers get ruffled. Although I have to agree with you.

We have no beaches (or big water of any kind) here, but if we did and they were menaced by giant horseflies, I’d want a giant swatter, too. Nice rant.

Meant to send appreciation for the note. I did, indeed, most clearly sense what you were trying to say.

And those little three wheeler off road vehicles that race up and down my street, aside from being ilegal to do, to crisscross the desert, tearing it up.

And those remote controlled airplanes. Someone down the road from me plays with them every weekend. HATE them.

We have a similar problem here in New Zealand I call them Moj’s ….. Morons on jet skis , many thanks for your note too my friend,

..:) .. I don’t like noisy things either, but I can understand their passion..

Jet-skiers! AZ has lakes that are sectioned off prohibiting access to jet-skiers. Yet, because these are seldom patrolled, every year more & more noisy machines claim every inch of the lake. Most of the operators are young, inexperienced riders with only 1 goal in mind ~ to see who can make the biggest wake. I feel both anger & sadness over the situation. A GOOD rant, my friend~ [~~~]

I agree with your diatribe, because the beauty of nature is not only in her sights but in her sounds. The soft, lapping of gentle shore licks, or the roaring of huge, storming waves, either is a part of the seashore, along with the native wildlife,(including maybe a giggling child or two in the surf!) that shouldn’t be missed. Yet, we have to put up with it..or do we? Regs. have been passed here~

You go! You are the only person I know of who can make a complaint about something pesky sound so melodic. I really cannot get over your ability for description. I agree, bunch of silly fools making noise and waiting to hurt themselves. The beach is for quiet and reflection.

There, there Oswego…are you changing into a grumpy old man? 🙂 It happens, you know. Smiling…enjoyed this.