If the good Lord had wanted people to stay on the ground, he would have given us roots. ~Author unknown
What is this contraption? At first, I thought it was a parasail, but it doesn’t fit that definition. Then I guessed hang glider, but I think I’m wrong there, too. Finally, I hit on motor kite. Agree?
Today I’m playing something called Photo Shorts. The rules are simple: one photo, a brief written accompaniment, and must feel like fun. Fun is good, right? And we all can use more fun, especially at this hectic time of year. You can play as often as you like. Join us, why don’t you?
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
I’ve been this type of flying machine down south!
It’s actually quite pretty, Frank, and the motorized part leads me to believe it goes faster than simply flying on air currents.
I saw something similar last year. My husband called it a powered hang glider. But I don’t know for sure!
I didn’t know either, Barbara, but I found it interesting nonetheless. I don’t imagine it would be much fun, however, if the weather had been gray and rainy.
Around here, they’re called powered paragliders, and they’re quite common. There are a couple of areas where safe takeoffs and landings are possible, and they can fly over unpopulated areas. Of course there’s a group, and a website for the so-called Texas Wing Nuts. Thanks for stirring my memory of an encounter with one of the guys who does this!
Very cool! I’ve never seen this one take off or land — only just fly overhead — but I imagine that would be interesting to watch. This one (or one very much like it) has flown over quite often of late, and you can hear the motor long before seeing the whatever-it-is!
Fun is good! Nice that you joined in the game. I am not sure what it is either, but your guess sounds like a possibility.
It’s a great game, Kathy! As we draw closer to the holidays, we’d all still like to stay in touch, but sometimes writing a long post (or even reading one!) doesn’t work into our schedules. A simple photo accompanied by a few words solves that perfectly!
Fun is definitely good! Never heard of a motor kite. Pretty, whatever it is.
Thanks, Laurie. I found it pretty, too. He (or she) wasn’t all that high, everything considered, and even Monkey didn’t feel the need to bark him away!
A Sheltie not feeling the need to bark? Now that’s something. 😉
Amen to that!! They’ve always got something to say!
I’ve always wanted to fly, and if I were younger (much) I’d try something like this. But these days, being older, more easily breakable, and wiser, I am content to watch these go overhead.
I hear you, Dawn. When we kids were little, we’d tie one of those slicker raincoats around our necks, climb up our slide, then race down it, flapping hard so we’d take off. Never worked, but I never outgrew the desire to fly! Still, I’m not sure I’d want to be up in a flimsy contraption like this, for fear of falling and breaking bones.
Fun is terrific. A powered lawn chair is what I call it.
You know, John, you’re not far wrong! It almost looks like something seen on a Saturday morning cartoon. Probably safer, but I’m not game to try it!
Yes indeed.
GREAT photo capture, Debbie! To me it looks like hand glider. But I did google “motor kite” because I didn’t know what they were, and yes, it certainly does look like one!
Good one, my friend! Hope you’re having a fantastic week so far! X
Thanks, Ron. I had no clue what it was and figured my readers might give me some ideas. Boy, Google is gonna have fun looking over my History of searches one of these days, ha! “Motor kite,” indeed. xx
I know them as ‘ultralight paragliders.’ Years ago, we used to see a guy in one fly over every summer. We often wondered why only in August? I think they were looking for ‘illegal crops.’ 😉
I hadn’t thought of that, Eliza. You might be onto something. I can’t recall seeing this one in any particular month though. Perhaps they only wait for pretty days. I can’t imagine they’d see much if everything was foggy … or covered with snow!
Looks like fun, so long as the landing was soft enough! But I think I’ll leave it for the young’uns – like your other commenters I feel I’m too easily breakable these days!
And we all know how long it takes to mend, too, huh?! Yes, I’ll leave it to those daredevils who don’t mind hospitalization or pain!
I’ve never seen one of those, but I’m thinking I’d rather stand on the ground and watch others fly by!
You and me, too! It didn’t exactly appear safe — fun, maybe, but not safe!
Oh wow, I’ve never seen one of these, Debbie. In my younger days yes perhaps I would give it a go. Now? If I am somehow able to gain back my youth oh yes!!! But until then, um no.
It looked like fun, Amy, but the “pilot” seemed rather exposed to the elements…and if there had been mechanical problems, what would he/she do? I suppose I’m not as brave (or foolish!) as I used to be, ha!