2015-09-17 Snap Decision

2015-09-17 Snap Decision.

We all headed down for coffee and breakfast as usual.  Maybe I am slow, or maybe I just have my head down - working on the blog - but I didn't see it coming.

With no discussion that I heard at coffee, suddenly mid-breakfast, the group decided that they would sail today at Roosevlet, and then head home.  Temira's forecast didn't look great for Friday or the weekend.

I have rarely seen our group move so quickly.  We finished breakfast at about 10:00am, and by 11:00am I was the only one of our group left in Hood River.  I admit it - I bring a lot of junk with me - so it takes me more time to pack.   I managed to finish packing by noon.

Ready to leave the condo!

The guy's apparently stopped by the Wall, and decided it wasn't windy - so proceeded on to Roosevlet Park.  I got a phone call from Harold, while I was filling up with gas in Big's, that he was heading out on his 5.3 at Roosevelt.

Blaine had a good last day!

When I drove passed the Wall at about 1:15, it looked really windy, but what the heck.  I arrived at Roosevelt around 2:00.  Most of the guy's were rigging 5.6's.  The wind was up and down - so big boards were the call.  I headed out on my 5.6 and Fanatic Shark.  I had a great sail for an hour or so, before a rain storm hit and the wind shifted off shore.  Kent and I made it back (barely), but Harold and René were caught out.  René had a long swim - but made it in without complaint!

René - at least he is not in as bad shape as the Kiter dude....

René

René - No complaints - another great day!

I hung around for a while, but it looked to me like the wind was done.  I should know better because twice before on this trip the wind has come back up.  Maybe it was my turn to be the "sacrifice". Anyway, I packed up and was on the road by 4:00.  Handre was a bit ahead of me, and Jim and Harold were just behind me.

Jim had a great trip!

Well - apparently it was the wrong call.  About 30 minutes after I left, the wind cranked up.  Kent told me that he and Blaine had a good 90 minutes of 4.8m sailing until the wind finally died around 6:00pm, while Brad and Rene watched.  I don't know what that was about - possibly just the "Oh watch the wind is going to dye and those buggers will be swimming" syndrome - then "Well maybe I made the wrong call - but now the wind is going to drop" - then "Damn" - then finally the wind does die - and you missed a good sail.  (I've been there) Of course you know Kent - It was the BEST SESSION EVER!.    While I don't believe that - I am very glad they got out sailing.  I should have known better - this is the third time the wind has come back after dying on this trip!

All packed up and ready to leave!

As I pulled in to get gas at Sandpoint, before checking in to the Day's Inn, Jim's big rig passed me on the highway.  He must have had the pedal to the metal to catch me, because from what I could see he still had a fair amount of packing to do when I left.

I believe Al will be staying at the Condo for another day or so before heading to Penticton, but I think he will have them all to himself.

I hope everyone has a safe trip home.

Ted

2015-09-16 A Lazy Day - or NOT

2015-09-16 A Lazy Day - or NOT

I got to Dog River around 7:45 and was surprised to find that I was one of the first to arrive.  Jim didn't arrive until around 8:30 which is very late for him.

Even breakfast was late, with a second group (Gerry, Kent, and Eddy) arriving after the first contingent had finished.

Temira's forecast was for light to no wind all day, but possibly as squall late in the day which could be sailable.   Great - what to do.  Sit all day at the Hatchery and wait????

I decided to try out the local RC Flying field.  I flew my micro Icon, my small Blade Nano Helicopter, and my Solo Drone.  I had lots of fun for two or three hours.

Barrett Park RC Field

A nice view off the end of the runway!

Left to right - My Solo Drone, my Icon Seaplane and my Nano Blade Helicopter.

A rare photo of Ted - from my Drone

The Barrett Park Field

Most of the guy's went golfing to the Hood River Golf course.

Al sent me this picture of Handre's carefully calibrated approach shot to the ninth green. He also said that on the eight hole Handre made an accurate shot with his iron, hit a tree and the ball ended up two yards behind him. Takes talent to makes these shots.

Handre's perfect lie.

Lunch after a Classic Golfing experience.

I stopped at the Kickstand Coffee and Kitchen for lunch.  It was very good, but a bit on the expensive side.  Their asparagus fries were very good!

After lunch, I ran into Blaine and Brad who wanted to go for an "Easy Bike Ride".  They talked Al, Harold and I into going along.  We decided to head to Moiser for Ice Cream.  The ride is very beautiful along the old historic highway, but like everything else in Hood River there are lots of hills. When we got to Moiser, Brad said he was going to go just a little further.  I decided to head back, and ended up with a great ride of 26km - taking almost two hours.  Certainly enough for me until I get in better shape.

Bikers - Brad, Ted, Harold and Al.  Thanks Blaine for taking the photo.

The view from the top of the trail!

Rowena Hill - Climb up to the lookout!
Kent said that of the whole group, he was the only person to do it.

The Vertical on my ride!

Blaine, Brad, Al, and Harold carried on to Rowena, which almost doubles the length of the ride (and the elevation climb).  On the way, they ran into Kent, who was doing an 75km loop.  Kent turned around and followed them to Rowena and back - so road about 85k.   What an animal!

Jim and Handre had another tennis match.  We understand that Handre taught Jim a lesson - and took over the crown.

With the sky clouding over, and a chance that the squall that Temira was talking about actually happening, Gerry sat at the hook for a while, and then watched the sail boats head out from the Marina.  If you are going to sit and read, you may as well sit in a nice place!  Unfortunately the water remained calm.

With all the different activities - we went different directions for dinner.  Jim had made a date with Antonio at the Celilo Restaurant.  Al, Harold, Brad, Blaine and I went to the Pelinti Pizza Place.  The Pizza and service was great!

Brad woudn't share any of his Pizza
.. although he did pick off some of the garlic cloves...

2015-09-15 Taking a Break

2015-09-15 Taking a Break!

Handre powering up!

Temira's forecast was no hope of wind today, and likely none tomorrow either.  Everyone was slow to get going today.  We went through the usual rituals of coffee and breakfast while everyone planned their day.

Taking our time at Bette's

Kent need a little bigger fin!  Bart was happy to help!

There were basically three strategies.....

Strategy One - Golfing...

Brad, Jim, Al, René, Harold and Handre went to play golf at the Elk Ridge Golf course in Carson Washington.  Apparently Al had the longest drive, and Harold had the highest score.  Brad shanked a shot from the rough, and the ball only went eight feet.   On his next try, almost identical setup, the ball landed on the green and rolled right into the hole!  Wow.  At this point I have no other details or photos.  I guess what happens at the golf course, stays at the golf course.

After nine holes, Handre left and hiked the Dog Mountian Trail.

Strategy Two - Biking

Kent and Blaine went for a 76km called Seven Mile Hill loop, which goes from Hood River, through Rowena to the Dalles and back.  It involves a 3200 foot climb.  Wow!  I would have gone with them, but fortunately my rear wheel had a broken spoke, so I was out of commission).  On the way back there was someone following them trying to catch up.  Well there is NO WAY our team is going to be passed by anyone! Blaine, who was drafting behind Kent put the pressure and kept telling Kent to go faster! It worked for the most part, but the guy almost caught up when Kent tried to stop for ice cream in Moiser.   Kent sent me these photos.....

The view from the top of 7 mile hill!

Biker Blaine - Top of the hill!

Kent - top of the world!

Blaine at the Summit

The Hill

Strategy Three - Hanging Around!

Gerry, Eddy and I decided to hang around town.  Gerry spent a lot of the day at the Marina watching the water (in case it got windy) and playing suduko.  Eddy went for a ride around town on his mountain bike, and I walked around town, picked up my bike wheel (which was in for repair of a broken spoke), and checked out some shops.  I accidently let Bart talk me into a new harness - oops.

My new Harness!

After their ride, Kent and Blaine showed up at our Condo, along with Gerry and Eddy.  the five of us had fun playing darts and flying my little quad copter.

At around six, assuming the golfers would eat at the clubhouse, we headed down the hill towards Sixth Street Bistro.  We didn't get to the end of the first block before Jim drove up and asked us where we were going.  After a short delay, we all headed down and had another great meal.

Getting 11 people seated together is always an issue.  When the last two of us arrived, we had to borrow two chairs from the next table.  They said we could borrow the chairs if we would all sing happy birthday to one of the ladies in their group.  Of course we complied.....  after dinner they offered us what was left of the birthday cake.....

Harold and Handre finishing the day with a little healthy top up!

2015-09-14 the Hatchery - Rigging Frenzie

2015-09-14 the Hatchery - A Rigging Frenzy

The temperature was a little cooler today.  In fact most of us had a light jacket over our tee shirts - although most of us were still  wearing shorts.  (Kent was wearing down...)

Ross came down and met us for Breakfast at Bette's, and then packed up and left.  He had already stayed a few more days than he had planned on - and needed to get back for some business meetings. (who knew he still worked).

At breakfast, in front of all of the guy's, Brad presented René with his 40-20 tee shirt, officially inducting him in to the Edmonton chapter of the 40-20 club.  René, who turned 60 in August, was happy to accept the honour.  A quick count of the membership, revealed that we now have more 40-20 members than 40-10 members, and there are a few more right on the cusp of the transition.

Brad presents René with his 40-20 shirt!

After breakfast, there was the usual round of checking out the shops, getting advice on where to sail, and going to Safeway to stock up for lunch.

Blaine

When the guy's were at Sailworks, Bruce Peterson and Dale Cook were telling Jim how much better he would be able to sail, and how much better he would look, if he were sailing on a new quiver. How could he resist.  Before he left, Jim was the proud owner of four new sails, and two new masts.

René

We eventually gathered at the Hatchery.  There was definitely wind, but it was hard to tell how much. It looked light, so we all brought down and our big stuff.  I took my 135 Shark down right away, figuring that I would need the flotation, but as it turned out I only sailed my smallest board!  Brad and Blaine were the first out - Blaine on his 5.6 and Brad on his 5.3.  Blaine returned after his first reach - basically blown off the water.  Brad lasted a little longer, but was tailwalking a lot of the time.  The rigging frenzie began in earnest.  Kent, who had rigged his 5.6, rigged his 4.8, went out, and then came back to rig his 4.2.  Most of the guy's were out on 4.2ish sails.  Jim looked great on his new red and yellow 4.2 Sailworks sail.  Harold was on his 3.7.

My 135 Shark - it didn't get wet as I sailed by 4.8 on my 93l Code.

The wind didn't last long, but most of us had a great sail while it did.   Unfortunately a couple of guy's spent the whole time rigging.  Kent was behind the curve all day because as soon as he rigged one sail, the wind had changed and he needed another.  He rigged and sailed almost everything he brought with him.  Only his 3.4 and 6.6 stayed in car.

The boys on the beach!

Eddy won the prize.  He rigged two sails, and brought down two boards, and never did get out on the water.  It is easy to get into the trap of watching and waiting until things settle down - and then missing the best sailing.  I know this well because I fall into it all the time.

Eddy had lots of rigging practice!

Blaine sailed 24 Kilometers, (He wears a GPS watch which shows his track and measures his distance and speed).   The track looks like a bunch of spagetti.

Blaine had lots of fun!

By 3:30, the sailing was done.  With all the gear down at the beach, it took quite a while to de-rig. Then we sat for an hour or so in the parking lot, discussing the day and playing "Sit Down Frisbee".

Gerry!

We noticed that there were more wasps around than usual.   We found the next - it was in the trees half way down the path, and it was huge - about a foot in diameter...

Wasp next - about one foot in diameter!

We went to Gerry's favorite place, the Hood River Restaurant, for Chinese dinner, and then everyone came over to Ross's Condo.  Jim bought some special Scotch which everyone had to try.  In the basement we were flying my small quadcopter.  Lots of the guy's gave it a try.

Kent with his sailing shoes
they are easy to spot - and no one will ever steal them!

By midnight, everyone had gone home or to bed except for Jim and I.  We came very close to solving all the world's problems, but then we realized what time it was and had to turn in.

Tomorrow looks like a golfing day.

2015-09-13 Smoke on the Water - the Wall

2015-09-13 Smoke on the Water.

Dog River for Coffee, Bette’s for Breakfast...  bla, bla, bla.  Same old, same old.  The forecast was for wind in the East, so everyone headed for the Wall around 11:00.  I was a bit later because I was finishing up yesterday’s blog.

The view from Ross's Condo

When I arrived the place was extremely crowded.  I have never seen it so busy.  Most of the guy’s were out on 4.8 ish sails, but the wind was backing off.  Shortly after I arrived a fire must have started west of the Mary Hill.  The amount of smoke was amazing, and of course with the west wind, it started blowing down the river.  The whole area turned into a fog at times.

It turned out that the fire was over 2000 acres in the Horsethief Butte area, and may have burned through a state park.  I think this number may be low because on the way home at 7:00pm I clocked a 15km stretch between the Dalles and Maryhill that was burned or burning.  I could see the flames on the edges of the burned area, and they were using at least one helicopter to pour water on it – although this literally looked like a drop in a bucket (or less).  They apparently closed the highway on the Washington side mid-afternoon, and it is till closed this morning as I write this blog.  Here is a news article.

Smoke from the fire!

Ross came to the wall to visit for a while, then drove across the river to Rufas to kite.  He had a great day, first on his 7m kite, then his 5.5m kite.  He had a bit of an issue mid-day when a fitting came loose on his 7m kite and it deflated in the river.  Fortunately he was near shore, so he only had a short swim.

Kent has his BEST SESSION EVER!

I’m not sure if it was the fire or just the natural conditions, but the wind got flukier and was up and down for an hour or so.  Some of the guy’s made it work, but after an hour or so it died completely. Our guy’s made it back (or almost all the way back), but there were a few people caught on the far side of the river who had to swim all the way back.  There was a little drama when one poor sole on the other side started swimming back, and then had to turn around and swim back to the far side to avoid a barge that was coming.  It ended with no issues.

Harold is out in all conditions - he can handle anything.

We ran into Jim’s friend Antonio.  He was full of stories as usual.   We sat and had lunch and waited, while most of the locals started to leave.  Antonio was heading to Rowena and encouraged us to go. By 3:30 or so, there were only a few people left. 

Antonio, Ross, Brad and Ross

Blaine and Brad decided that they had had enough, so they packed up and decided to head to Rowena.  Of course as they were getting ready to leave the wind started to fill in again.  As they were pulling out, Kent was waving at them and heading back out with his 4.2m sail and a big smile on his face.  Blaine and Brad waved back, ...and pulled out.  I guess that was the sacrifice that was needed.  The wind really kicked in.  It was very smoky – but the wind was strong and the waves were large and smooth.    Gerry, Rene and I were on our 4.8’s, Harold was on his 3.7, Handre on his 3.4, Al 4.8 earlier and 4.2 at the end of the day. Everyone had a great time.  With no one else on the water, the waves were like glass.  Excellent sailing.  Overpowered for me.

Ross came up and sailed with us for a while, enjoying the swells, but suggested next time we sail down by the boat launch where the swell is even larger. 

The wind started to drop off again around 6:00.  It was still  sailable, but I think most of us had had enough.  A few of the guy’s got a bigger board and went out again for a final session.

Kent - couldn't get enough.

We took our time packing up, and then headed to 6^th Street Bistro for supper.  Rene and Kent wanted the Full Rack of Ribs - they figured they had earned it.

The WALL Sailors
Harold, Jim, Handre, Eddy, Al, Gerry, Rene, Kent and Ted

When we finally hooked up with Blaine and Brad we learned that when they got to Rowena, everyone was coming off the water – so they headed to China Gorge for supper... and then back to the condo to watch the TV reality show Three Fat Guy’s in the Woods…. WTF… anyway – we appreciate their sacrifice.  (They tell us that now if they get dumped in the woods they know how to filter water and light a fire!)

Great day – looking forward to sailing again tomorrow.