RE: First thermal?
Other methods for finding thermals are watching the big birds (i.e. buzzards, hawks and vultures) searching for them. These birds know where to catch thermals. If you don't have the "luxury" of sharing your airspace with those birds, then look for low hanging smaller clouds. claouds that are kind of dark on the underside. These clouds normally produce good lifts. Or any dark surface on the ground, like large patches of woods. Cement and asphalt surfaces are good sources too. In general on any hot summer day there should be plenty of thermals to be found anywhere.