Sunday - Foiling Frenzy, Kiting and Windsurfing

Interesting clouds at the Event Site!

Today was a bit more organized than yesterday.  It started with Dog River Coffee, and then Bette's for breakfast, although a select group decided to go to the Cafe at Dirty Fingers Bike Repair for breakfast.

After breakfast, the Foiling group (Ted, Kent, Rene, Big Jim, Big Air Jim, Blain, and Brad) went to the Event Site, the Kiter group (Cam, Eddy, and Ross), went to the bridge, and the Sailing group (Gerry, Al, Mike, and Harold) went to the Hatchery.

Windsurfing Group (Old Guys - Future Foilers....)

Harold, Mike, Al and Gerry went to the hatchery.  It started out with big rigs, but then the wind picked up.  They all had a good session.  Al wanted to point out that he was on the water before Harold this time.   Gerry was on his 5.6 Hucker wishing he was on his 4.8.  Harold was on his 4.7 wind, Al was on his 5.5.  They had no complaints!  Great sail - sorry, no pictures.

Kiting Group (The Dark Side)

Cam,  Eddy and Ross went over to the bridge and had a good sail on 9 and 10m kites.  The kites have great wind range, so even though they wanted to rig down, they didn't need to.  Sorry - no pictures.

When Jim Mudry and Kent went foiling up through the kiters (see below), Ross tried to chase them, but as the wind increased as he went further west, he needed to back off - he needed his 7.0.

Foiling Group (The Cool New Wave Flyer Guys)

The wind started out light.  I went out on my 7.0 Flyer and was the fist of our group on the water which is very unusual.  Kent is turning into a Foiling Wind Snob and was "Saying No to 7.0", until Bruce Peterson came down and was anxious to rig his big gear and go out.   Kent followed me out and had a good session on his 6.0.  Brad, Blaine and Big Jim were next out - heading out, just as I was finishing my first session.

Jim Mudry took Kent on another adventure, this time up to the Hatchery.

I had another session and then decided to take a break for lunch. The wind picked up around 2:00ish, and then really picked up.  I could have been windsurfing on my 5.6 or smaller.  My choices were to pack everything up and go to the hatchery, just rig and go windsurfing, or sit and wait.  I decided on the latter.

Blaine

 I went out to the end of the point with my camera to take some photos, but Brad and Blaine were hanging on and heading to the beach.  They were still doing well in the strong winds and I was able to get a few shots.  When they got back, the only one of our group still on the water was Kent and he was way upwind out of sight.  I was going to pack up my camera when I saw Big Air Jim starting to head out.  I thought "this should be good"....

Big Jim - got up on the foil,
but I was lake taking this photo on his last reach into shore.

Brad said they told Jim that it was very windy and he shouldn't go out, but Jim doesn't recall.  He was focused.

Jim headed out and did well until he exploded by the red buoy.  With his shoulder injury, he has a hard time clearing the sail and also has trouble climbing onto the board.  Why he isn't waiting until after his shoulder surgery to learn a new sport, none of us know.  He managed to drift down to the point on the sandbar.  Big Jim and Rene walked out to help him carry his equipment back, but just as they were getting there, Jim headed out again.   Jim got going again but had a similar result on the far side.  This time, however, he was able to waterstart and get back.  He even foiled a good part of the way.  Great Job Jim.  You got out and back in conditions that were keeping all of us off the water!  And I got a photo of you foiling!

Big Air Jim - Full on Foiling

Kent and Jim arrived back at the beach with another story of survival.  Kent says he now appreciates how much energy the rest of us are expending having to climb on our boards and uphaul or waterstart every other reach.  I guess the overpowered conditions, combined with the big swell were "challenging" for him.  They said they were going through the Hatchery where people were blasting on sails smaller than their 5.2 flyers.  It was a real learning adventure for Kent.  He said that Jim showed him that you have to ride waves totally differently when on a foil - going at an angle to the wave, rather than turning down it.  I am not sure I will ever need that piece of knowledge, but I can always hope.

It was windy enough that even Jim Mudry almost lost it coming in...

Blaine - hanging on in the big wind!

The wind lightened up later, and most of us went out again.  We were all off the water by about 5:00, except for Kent, who had to go out for a final session.  It is no wonder he is getting so good - time on the water!

Kent - foiling through another jibe!

The steadiest wind was actually between 6:00 and 7:00, but we were in de-rigging mode.

Supper was a bit of a gong show.  The call was Sixth Street Bistro, but the first arrivals were told it was full and there would be an hour wait, so they left.  I arrived a few minutes later and was told that the guys had been there but had left.  As I was unlocking my E-Bike the manager came out and said that if I could find the group, that they could now make room.

I went looking for the guys and found Blaine walking back to his van.  He told me that everyone had gone to Pietro's for Pizza.  I rode down to Pietros and guess what - none of the guy's.  It then dawned on me that Blaine must have meant Double Mountain. Sure enough, I finally found them.  Cam, Big Jim, and Gerry arrived at Sixth Street Bistro just after my adventure and were welcomed in - apparently the place was almost empty.

Another Great Day!  Looking forward to more sailing tomorrow.

Brad had a great day with over 40km o the water!

Kent - arriving back after his adventure to the Hatchery

Big Air Jim!

Big Jim

Kent

Saturday - Indecision

Breakfast at Bette's.  Clockwise from 7:00 OClock
Big Jim, Brad, Eddy, Kent, Rene, Harold, Al, Mike, Gerry, and Blaine.
Big Air Jim, Cam, and Ross went down to the Hotel for breakfast.

The forecast was iffy....  The problem with an iffy forecast is it makes it difficult to make any positive decision about what to do for the day.

After Dog River and Bettes, the decision was to drive to Rosevelt Park.  It was supposed to blow there later.....  but first, we had better go to Sailworks.   

The Sailworks Loft
Kent, Cam, Blaine, Rene, Bruce Peterson, Harold, Al and Big Air Jim

North of $3,000us later (a foil for Big Air Jim, and a quiver of sails for Cam), we weren't sure that Rosevelt was the call.  No one wanted to be responsible for making the call.  Everyone was happy to go where everyone else wanted to go.  Dougs?  Rufus, Arlington, Roosevelt, the Hatcher, or just the Event Site.  We all agree that it has never taken us as long to make a decision about where to go.  What a gong show.  Eventually, we sort of decided not to decide and ended up at the Event Site. 

Cam watching his new Flyer being rigged!

Well, almost all of us.  Gerry and Mike left right after breakfast and did go to Roosevelt - about 1:45 away.   Gerry decided to take another recovery day and save himself for a good windy day!  Mike got out, and slogged at first, but then we heard that the wind kicked in later.  I haven't heard from him, but when I do, I am sure it will have been his "Best Day Ever"!

Ross and Eddy went kiting at Rufus, but it was very gusty.  Ross said it was "something" to experience.  Very windy, then nothing, then very windy, then nothing.  Eddy said he would have to de-power his kite because it was too windy, but then he would be lying in the water barely able to keep his kite in the air - then full on again.  After fighting it for a few hours, they moved to Mosier, where the wind was much steadier and they had a great session to end the day.

Harold and Al started at the Hatchery.  Al got out on his new 6.5 Retro, and Harold was on his 6m.  They had a few hours of good sailing before the wind died.  They packed up and relocated to Doug's.  Al said it was "Nukin".  He rigged a 4.2, but the wind started to drop as he got on the water.  He couldn't even water start.  He re-rigged to a 5.5.  Both he and Harold had another good session for an hour or two before calling it a day.  Al says he definitely got enough sailing for the day!

The rest of us stayed at the event site and foiled. While the wind was up and down, it was much more controlled foiling than yesterday.  I think everyone got foiling for at least part of the time. 

Kent had a great session chasing Jim Mudry.  He sent me this...

What a day.  I headed out on my 5.2 today and Jim chased me down yelling “let me take you on a tour, follow me!”.  Jim then took me for a foil downwinder.  Swells were small, 3 or 4 feet.   The rides were great.  I only foiled out of the wave 4 or 5 times, kind of like a nuclear submarine blowing ballast and exploding out of the wave face.  After foiling down the swells we sailed under the bridge,  the wind off the pylons was a swirl that knocked me down the first time.  Amazing wind shadow!    We played for a bit near the bridge until Jim was tired.   So he sailed into the marina to sit on the pier...    yes he foiled right up to the pier and sat on it.   Then we foiled upwind out of the marina, road some more swells and then back to event site to rerig!  

Kent's track.

Dale Cook was cruising by all day doing 360's and chasing everyone around.  It is a lot of fun sailing close to Dale, Bruce, and Jim, even if we can't keep up.  Jim spends a lot of time coaching us.  He will sneak up behind us and then give us some advice; then check on us again later to see how we are doing.

For a couple of hours, the wind came up to windsurf speeds but then dropped again.  Kent stayed out, but most of us came back to shore and decided to have lunch - which turned out to be the correct move.

Brad, Big Air Jim and Blaine - taking a break!

It is a lot of fun cruising back and forth out of the water making almost no noise.  I cruised passed Phil one time near the end of the day.  He and his girlfriend had come out to sail, but missed the wind so he was just slogging (still doing tricks, of course).  My board was so quiet that I was able to say hi as I passed him.  That is something you can't do windsurfing.

Everyone in our group seems to be advancing quickly, although Kent is the only one who really has his jibes nailed down.. or even close to it for that matter.

Big Jim had a good day - feeling in control!

The problem with foiling is knowing when to quit.  The wind seemed to die, but Kent then took out his 7.0 and continued to foil.  The wind then died right off but came back again as we were packing up.  I am sure we could have gone out again and foiled until after dark in the light breeze.

Hanging around at the end of the day!

Ross, Eddy, Big Air Jim, Cam, Kent, Rene, and I were hungry, so we went to Double Mountain for supper.  The other guys went back to the house for a beer on the deck and then walked up to have Mexican food at the top of the hill.  (Quite a walk).

Blaine - Enjoyed the day!

Blaine had a few fights with the foil!

Rene and Gerry

Big Air Jim - setting up his new foil!

Kent - anxious to get out!

Friday - the First Day - Rigging Frenzy

Breakfast at Bette's
Clockwise starting at the front.
Ted, Kent, Gerry, Julie, Rene, Eddy, Brad, Al, Harold, Blaine, and Cam
Big Air Jim was taking the photo!

It doesn't take long to get into the usual routine.  The gang met at Dog River for Coffee and then headed across the street to Bette's for breakfast.

After that, we split up for various shopping excursions.

The wind was supposed to build in the afternoon, so we all met at the event site to wait for wind...

Sure enough, the wind did start to blow.  Harold, Al, Mike, and Gerry went over to the Hatchery.  Harold made a 6.1m sail work, Al had a good day on his new 6.5 Retro, Mike made is 5.6 Hucker work and Gerry decided he would give his hip another day to recover.

Blaine ready to head out!

Ross and Eddy went over to the bridge and had a good kite session.

The rest of us were trying to foil at the Event Site.  We had lots of demo gear from Sailworks to try and several of us (not me) had already purchased new sails.

Big Jim - fine-tuning his outhaul

I went out on my 7.0 and then switched to a demo 6.0 flyer.  Everyone got foiling and I think everyone had a good day.  Rene had his best foiling day ever.

Cam - ready to go in his full body de-hydration steamer wetsuit!

Ross and Julie drove into Vancouver at around 4:00.  Ross was helping with a Demo Days at the glass blowing shop, and Julie wanted to participate.

It was after 7:00pm when we came off the water.

Kent - made it look easy!

We sat around and chatted until dark, and then most of the gang went to China Gorge for supper.

Thanks Cam for a great photo of the group after sailing!
Rene, Al, Bruce, Big Jim, Ted, Brad, Big Air Jim, Blaine and Kent

I was very tired after the full day, so early to bed!

Thursday - The Gang Arrives, and Louise flies home

The smoke is back....  Looking West from Viento!

Louise and I decided that since it was her last day, this should be a classic Gorge Day.  The forecast was for no real wind until late in the day, so we headed down to the Dog River Coffee shop.  Louise had seen photos of their fancy Latte's and wanted to try one. She was not disappointed.

Louise enjoying her Latte!

Next, we went over to Bette's for breakfast where Ross and Mike Joined us.  Sheri, who had been a waitress for at least the last 25 years, welcomed us back.  Breakfast was excellent as usual.

After breakfast, Louise and I walked around downtown checking out the art galleries and shops.  On the way home, I shouted HI to Rene, who was driving past.  He and Kent had just arrived, and Kent was getting his board fixed.

At the Condo, Brad, Harold, and Al were on the deck.  The Gang had arrived!

Louise packed up her things, and we left for the airport at about 3:00.  We stopped at Viento to look for some drift wood for her crafting, and then at Mosier for an Ice Cream, before dropping her off at the Airport at 4:30.  Hi hope she had fun, I know I sure did!

Louise looking for driftwood at Viento

I got back to the Hood River around 5:30 and drove to the Event Site.   Most of the guys were there foiling.  Apparently, Brad and Blaine had “sneaked off” without telling everyone so they could get in a little more foiling than everyone else, and were already out on the water by the time the others arrived.

I quickly rigged my 7.0 Flyer and joined them.  The wind was dropping as I went out.  I think everyone, (Blaine, Brad, Rene, Big Jim, Kent and I) all got up on the foil.  Everyone got foiling, and Kent almost never dropped off a plane.  I did a lot of pumping – that was a lot of exercise.

Gerry and Julie arrived during our session.

We sailed until almost 8:00pm.  The sun was just about to go behind the hills when I came in.  I hadn’t planed in a couple of reaches.  When I got in, I had a single weed dragging on the fin.  I am not sure if I caught it on the way in at the beach, or if it is the reason I couldn’t get going.  I almost went out again to try, but Kent was coming in and the wind had lightened up even more so I decided not to.

We took our time de-rigging and then went to Sixth Street for supper.  It was very good to have the group together.  Cam, Jim, and Eddy are en-route, and should get in later in the evening.

We are looking forward to a great week.

Wednesday - Coming and Going....

Louise and I slept in until 9:00.  Ross was up when we came downstairs and was ready to head out to go kiting.  The forecast was for an early morning session at Stevenson, but Louise and I had planned a repeat of our bike ride to Rowena Lookout.

Louise and I left the house around 10:00, stopped at MacDonald's for breakfast and then rode to Mosier and then on to the Rowena Lookout.  Going through Mosier, we passed a school.  It was the kids second day back.  There were lots of kids in the playground having a lot of fun.  Louise just smiled - no more school for her.

Louise isn't going back to school 

After stopping at the Lookout, we continued along the road and went about halfway down the road on the far side.  It is a very windy road built into the side of the cliff.  Very cool and spectacular views.  I wish I had my motorbike here!

What a road for a motorbike!

We got back to Hood River at around 2:00 and went down to the Sandbar Cafe for lunch.  Unfortunately, it was closed, so we rode over to Solstice where we had a great salad and small pizza.

Siragusa Pear Salad

We got back to the condo at around 3:30.  Ross had had a good kite session on a 7.0.  Andreas and Sue also went on a bike ride to Mosier, after returning their rental truck; and Mike, who arrived at the Condo shortly after we did, had had a great session on his 4.6 sail at Stevenson early in the morning.  Mike had driven through yesterday to Roosevelt, where he had spent the night.

Ross, Andreas, and Sue left about 5:00 for the Airport.  Ross was going to drop them off, and then go to Vancouver, Washington, to do some glass blowing for the evening.

Mike, tired from his trip, was going to cook himself some pasta and likely turn in early.

Louise and I went down to the Event Site around 5:00 and took out our SUP's for a paddle.  We didn't go far - probably still tired from our bike ride, but we went most of the way to the bridge and back.  There was a lot of boat and jetski traffic on the river which was making Louise uncomfortable, so we turned around early.  We stopped on the way back on the sandbar and went for a swim to cool down.  The temperature when we had arrived at the Event Site was 33c - wow!

We almost made it to the bridge...

It was 7:30 by the time we were off the water and had the SUP's dried off and put away.  We stopped to change at the Condo and then went to Lilo's BBQ for a rice bowl for supper.  It was a simple meal, but excellent.  We ate it outside on their patio.

When we got home, Louise packed up her things.  We will have most of the day tomorrow, and then she will be flying home in the late afternoon.  It has been wonderful having her here with me for a few days.

Ted at the Rowena Lookout

Tuesday - Foiling and Wine Tasting

It doesn't look very windy!

Lousie and I left at 9:30, stopped at McDonald's for breakfast, then drove to North Bonneville - where I picked up some Slingshot parts. We then headed on to Stevenson to check out the possibility of some foiling.

I hummed and hawed for a bit.  We were the only ones there, and it didn't look windy enough, but I kept thinking of Dale and Jim at the Event Site sailing in almost nothing.  I decided that with the big board and foil, I could always slog back, so I rigged and headed out.

The first few reaches were light - I could get going on the far side, but not on the near side.  Then it filled in and I was able to foil all the way across, both ways.  I had two really good sessions.  I could have kept going, but I was getting tired and making mistakes, so I thought it best to get off the water.

After a while, more kiters started arriving - mostly with foil boards, then a few windsurfer foilers and even some standard windsurfers and kiters.

Thanks, Louise, for taking the photos and for your patience waiting out my sailing session!

I packed up. We had a quick snack at Subway (The Crossing is only open Wed - Saturday) then headed back to the Condo.  When we got there, there was a note from Sue.  She and Andreas had rented E-Bikes and would meet us at the Marchesi Vineyard at 4:30.

We rode our E-Bikes to the Columbia Gorge Hotel and walked around their grounds, enjoying the spectacular views from the top of the cliff and of the waterfall.

The roads up to the Marchesi were a bit busy and in some sections narrow - so not as nice as the old highway that we rode on the other day.   We were the first to the Winery, but it wasn't long before Andreas, Sue, Ross, and Matt joined us.  We had a nice visit on the winery deck tasting all of their wines.  Ross and Andreas each bought some wines after our session.

A table ornament at the Vineyard...
Actually, it is a live cat - it barely moved unless someone came over to scratch it.

We stopped at Safeway on the way home for supplies, and then Ross and Andreas barbecued steaks, shrimp, quinoa, carrots, asparagus, and salad for supper.  It was excellent - and then finished off with ice cream and nectarines for dessert.

We spent the rest of the night drinking wine and enjoying some old "Kennedy Center Honors" on youtube.

Labour Day Monday - Sailing and Wine at Mosier!

Ted - after his best sail of the year!

The thing about the gorge is that plans change unexpectedly.  Last night Louise and I picked up special eggs & special bacon (to Ross's specifications - well, almost).   We had all talked about making a special breakfast and then all of us going to Mosier to kite and sail.

Louise and I got up at 9:00.  The wind was already strong.  We could see whitecaps and sailors on the river from Ross's house.  Andreas and Sue were still asleep and Ross was gone.  He had mentioned the night before that he might be going to the bakery in the morning, so we waited around and I worked on yesterday's blog.

When Sue came downstairs, she said that Ross had texted Andreas and that he had left to go kiting.
He said later, that when he got up it was 5m kiting at the bridge so he decided to go.  He was the first one there and had a great session.  Note to self - when it is windy - just go!

4.8m Hucker on Starboard Code

Louise and I packed our things, stopped for a quick bite at McDonald's and then drove to Mosier - Rock Creek.  I rigged a 4.8m sail on my Code board and had a great sail.  Most of the time I could have been on a 4.2, but there were times, particularly when I was near the shore that I was glad I had the 4.8.  My jybes need a lot of work.  Most of the times I have been sailing this year, I have either been on a big foil board or my 135.  Jibing over-powered on my small board is a different skill set, which apparently I have forgotten.

I had two great sessions.  Louise took photos and video of me during my first session and then picked rocks and driftwood for her crafting during my second session.

I came off the water as the wind started to die at around 2:30.  I met Andreas and Ross as I was walking back to the car.  They had a look, but decided to go back to the bridge for an afternoon kite session.  Good call as it continued to blow in the corridor all afternoon.

After I de-rigged, Louise and I drove up to our favourite winery for another tasting.  We actually drove in to the one up the road - it looked nice, but didn't have the view of the river, so we went back to the same one we had visited on Saturday.  We sat on their deck overlooking their vineyard and the river, sipping wine and eating some snacks that we had brought with us.  It was a beautiful afternoon.

Louise and Ted at the Granier Winery
The grapes in the background get a lot of wind, so have thick skins -
so more color and taste to their red wine.

We bought a couple of bottles of wine and then drove back to town.  As we left the winery they mentioned that they were only open on weekends.  Lucky that we had happened upon them twice and that they were open.

We parked by the waterfront park and walked up and down the waterfront. We ran into Bart at the Sandbar Grill (which was closed because they "ran out of everything" over the weekend).  Then we walked back and sat on a picnic table at the Event Site and watched Phil Soltysiak and Bruce Peterson.  Phil was practicing his freestyle moves, and Bruce was going out on his foil with a new Roberts Foilboard.

We got back to the condo at about 6:30, showered and then went up for Mexican with Ross, Andreas and Sue.  We had a nice evening - which was capped off with ice cream and peaches back at the condo.