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Post by waterauthorityrick on Jun 27, 2008 12:20:46 GMT -5
Never got a return phone call from Trey late yesterday but did get about 5 annoying text messages about how great the wind was, and his messages weren't far from the truth, it was a big big wind day 3.7m & 4.1m with 3/4 mast high waves in the middle of the river. My only question would be why so many text messages if the wind is so good? Wouldn't one be on the water and not on shore sending text messages? (I'm sorry that's two questions)
Talked with Trey at lunchtime and the river is calm and with no wind in the forecast three of them returned their gear early to save a little cash. They are going on a little hike up the Klickatat River out behind the rental house, then they will pack-up for a return flight out of Portland tomorrow at 11:00
As you likely know Joe & Ted left this morning but Joe must have his phone turned off so I can't call and annoy him.
H20 Rick
(please, please send wind! Except in the mornings when we're water skiing)
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Post by Eileen Herbert on Jun 29, 2008 12:44:30 GMT -5
Left about 5:30 AM Friday - ended up at the KOA in West Des Moines, Iowa - according to Mapquest 936 miles.
Saturday on the road about around 7 or so. I believe they stopped at Lake Macconaughy in western Nebraska to see if there was any sailing. Ted indicated it was the wrong direction so they did not sail. Hmmmm, too bad they were not there a day or two earlier as those who read the paper are aware that Omaha got BIG WIND, even causing a delay in the Olmpic swimming trials. Ended up staying in Rawlins Wyoming Saturday night. When I spoke with them around 6 their time they were around Elk Mountain and were going to eat in Rawlins and keep going another hour or so further. When I caught up with them again about 2 hours later they had eaten in Rawlins, decided they had enough for the day and stayed at the KOA there, which is the same one Joe stayed at last year. Not sure how much mileage the trip up to Mac added, but W Des Moines to Rawlins is 771. Their plan is to get to Hood River Sunday, but that will be 952 miles, so would be the longest haul of the trip. Knowing Joe however, once he hits eastern Oregon he isn't going to want to stay there, he would keep going. They received a text from the house owner that they can get in on Monday, so that will give them the opportunity to unload the stuff they don't need (air mattresses, tent, sleeping bag & Mark's stuff) also get a good nights sleep in real beds and then maybe a little sailing Monday morning before they head off to pick up Art in Portland.
Thats it for now!
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Post by Eileen Herbert on Jun 30, 2008 18:40:50 GMT -5
Joe and Ted arrived at the Gorge about 8 on Sunday evening. The guy who owns the house said that they were welcome to come there early, versus waiting until Tuesday, so they are all settled in. When I spoke with Joe at 9AM their time Monday they were having coffee and relaxing on the deck. Expecting wind mid day or later. They will be picking up Art Mayne on the 1st and can focus on sailing, sailing, and more sailing until the next trip to Portland for the comings and goings on the 9th.
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Post by Eileen Herbert on Jul 2, 2008 18:31:44 GMT -5
Believe I have the info correct - - - -
Swell City on Monday, 5.2
Picked up Art Mayne without a hitch early afternoon on Tuesday.
Sailed Swell Tuesday afternoon, 4.8. Joe's comment was Art was standing on the beach with him taking a break (7pm their time) grinning from ear to ear. They have heard that there is big wind expected on Thursday.
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Post by Eileen Herbert on Jul 4, 2008 8:55:52 GMT -5
Wednesday appeared to be a no sail day but by late afternoon it did pick up and they sailed 4.8 from 4-7pm at Swell.
Thursday not as big wind as was predicted but started at Swell with 3.8 and then by 4 their time 4.2 still at Swell. Joe indicated the wind was a bit stronger somewhere else (maybe Doug's) and if Ted and Art wanted to go there that was fine, otherwise he was happy sailing the rest of the night on 4.2 at Swell.
Apparently Doug talked with Joe while he was at Swell a day or two ago so don't know if he has anything to add.
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Post by Eileen Herbert on Jul 6, 2008 13:20:30 GMT -5
Friday Dougs 4.2
Saturday Dougs 4.8
Sunday they were headed for Swell
I will not be talking to Joe again until Wedsnesday when he lets me know that Bill & Doug arrived. Since Doug will be out there, I will leave it in his capable hands (lots of dodge ball makes for quick hands) to update you on the sailing.
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 7, 2008 14:30:21 GMT -5
Talked to Joe this morning.......
Art was loving his gear from Windance. Goya ONe 77L and Quiver of Ezzy sails. I believe he was at Swell and switching down to a 4.8 from a 5.2. Boom high waves today.
Doug
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 10, 2008 9:04:25 GMT -5
......so we made it (Doug and Bill) out here. Still completely overwhelmed, and that is before even thinking about windsurfing. What a place. Joe dropped Art and picked us up, we grabbed a burger and headed for the shops.
Yesterday (Wed.) we sailed a no wind day at Swell. Bill 5.4, Doug 5.2. Our retal gear is great though beware of North Sail in Sailworks clothing (Sail bag). Teddy bought a 6 year old mint Doyle for $300.
Swell was gusty and pretty much nobody was out but us, but it was perfect to get our feet wet and to start to understand how things work her .....when it really wasn't even blowing. Up early for a dawn patrol that fizzled. Back to the shops to do a bit of equipment swapping and then hopefully we can get a parking spot somewhere. Today may be a little over our heads if it goes like it is forecast........
Hoping for wind for everybody back home.
Update again later whne my hands uncramp....
WD
Joe and and Ted are 9 out of ten days so far with nothing bigger than a 5.2.
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 11, 2008 12:07:13 GMT -5
Thursday Gorge Update......
We stopped driving when it got to 4.5/4.2. Doug's Beach was the call for us. We started sailing at around 10 a.m. and finally finished up around 6 p.m.. Out east really got going, but for the betterment of Doug and Bill we sailed the butter smooth swell at Doug's. (As it sounds, most of you are aware that Maryhill was the primo place to be yesterday and Joe and Teddy took one for the team and settled for Doug's. A couple of Canadian sailors that we met headed out to the Wall and sailed 3.0, Dale Cook was on a 4.2) Joe and Teddy sailed the swell like old pro's, carving up the swell on their smallest boards. Joe commented that it was the best swell he'd ridden. I was out on a Goya One 77L and Bill was on the AWESOME Angulo Chango 82 from Windance. I am hoping to head in and trade up in volume to that board. I have to trade in the 77L today and was going to go with a 75L Chango....I might be a little overwhelmed on such a small board. I was a little "under boarded" in the lulls....with my current ability.
It's looking like a no wind day around here today..or possibly some east wind later in the day. Saturday may be some more of the same, but hopefully Sunday will turn it around.
While enjoying a beer trackside at Doug's we met up with a guy named Patrick from Sodus. He's a kiter, but had met Joe at Webster last year. He and a a buddy had just arrived and were heading to Klickitat (Sp) to do some kiting.
Windance is a great shop and according to all with an opinion, the new owner (Dave) has really turned the place around. I'm really glad that I decided to rent there. Three masts! And skinny's to boot!
The windsurfing women out here are awesome. Attractive and they can sail to boot! It's a little intimidating.
What is the story about some sailing in Rochester yesterday? DON'T POST IT HERE....START A NEW THREAD!
WD
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 12, 2008 1:19:51 GMT -5
Evening update. We ended up heading to Stevenson this morning. Around 10 or so the meter was showing mid 20's. Upper 5's and a board around or over 100L was the call while the East wind lasted. We all got some rides but mostly we were hanging out with all the other folks. The kid that won the prokids division of the Freestyle Frenzy was out but the wind was flukey. We've met some pretty cool folks from Vancouver.....stories later.
Jake Miller was at Windance when I turned in my 77 Goya for the 85L Goya One no Chango's available. It was us ,a couple of employee's and Jake Miller. Then off to Big Winds to for some pretty much no reason except to drink a couple of beers before heading for some Pizza. Hoping on an early morning East at Stevenson.
Doug
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 13, 2008 0:27:25 GMT -5
Believe it or not we got to sail an east wind at Stevenson again this morning, but we timed it right this time. Full on 5.2 for about two hours. We were among the first ones there.
Westerlies to return tomorrow, so we are thinking about hitting Swell iCity n the late morning and then Maryhill in the afternoon/evening.
Windsurfing vans everywhere since it is the weekend........This trip has so far been windsurfing life changing. Bill has been nailing jibes on the 82L Chango.......
Joe is in with the Gorge locals.........they all know him.
WD
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Post by SHMUCK on Jul 13, 2008 7:16:53 GMT -5
Doug:
Love the reports. Please keep them comming. How are your jibes progressing? How big is the swell, are you guys jumping, any barge stories? Any chance you could throw a log or two in front of Bill while he's jibbing? You will be surprised to learn that there is still no wind here. Maybe Hamburg later this afternoon.
S
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 14, 2008 12:03:54 GMT -5
Nothing to report here....Unfortunately. We headed to Swell yesterday and Teddy got the longest session of all of us, squeezing every bit of sailing out of his 5.8. Joe was next up with a good time (considering the conditions) and the Bill and Doug. I have gotten a cold and was wickedly drugged up and spent much of hte afternoon in the shade trying to get rest.
The Jibes are coming along. The ability to practice in consistent wind with smaller sails is great. I have become fairly successful on my version of a strap to strap jibe. The time I spent with Rick on his skate sailer working on sail flip timing has helped a lot.
The Barges are big and intimidating, but actually don't come that frequently. We saw one yesterday and we spent the whole day at Swell. The Swell is pretty big and when I get home and load up some photo's and perhaps some video on Youtube you can get a better feel for it. Where we have been sailing, the swell stays pretty concentrated in one area of the river. That is, the BIG swell stays there.
We are thinking that hte drive out to Maryhill looks to be the most promising today, since it was the best location yesterday. It will probably be the most wide open locaiton we will sail so far.
What has been unreal, has been the amount of new gear we have been able to try. Whatever has been neededto make the day work, has been available.
Glad you're enjoying the updates. It has been a great trip!
WD
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 16, 2008 0:58:07 GMT -5
Wednesday update.......................
First Tuesday, We sat at Se\well for an eternity....sailed borderline 5.2/5.8 and then had the day saved by late day 5.2 at Dougs Beach for a couple of hours.
This has been untypical for the Gorge, and today Doug and Joe did not get suckered into sailing at Stevenson like Teddy and Bill.
Our fingers are crossed that the forecast actually holds true for our last day tomorrow. Looks like an early morning session to get things going. We have to have our gear back to the shops by 6, and I am back on the plane by 9.
We've made friends with the locals, and know the ones to avoid and the ones that are friendly.
If you ever have the opportunity...........COME HERE.
Joe and Mark will be around till the end of the month, and of course the Gorge will kick back up for them.
Doug
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Post by Windydoug on Jul 17, 2008 18:38:42 GMT -5
Wrapping up Doug, Bill, and Ted's leg of the Gorge trip..........
It blew Beachbaby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By first light it was full on Gorge 4.2.........an incorrect trip to Doug's led us to be a little late arriving at Swell (Doug's lulled for a time in the morning). Coming along the river passing the EVent Site, then The Hatch, and finally arrivng at Swell, allowed us a full view of what had to be near 150 windsurfers slashing the river.
We sailed until 4 p.m. when we had to get gear back to the shops and then off to the airport.
I'm back in Nowindchester now and am bleary eyed from the wind and no sleep on the red eye home.
To bed.
WD
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Post by waterauthorityrick on Jul 18, 2008 10:21:52 GMT -5
Doug,
I hope your son Owen still likes you upon your return to home BECAUSE EVERYONE HERE HATES YOU GORGE GUYS!
Yeah folks can tell I need some wind BAD.
What wonders a wind vacation has on ones ability to improve.
See you on Lake Ont. the next 4.0 day (I think that will come in the late winter of 2009)
H2O Rick
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Post by windkid on Jul 19, 2008 14:29:02 GMT -5
Some bad news from the Gorge. On Friday a sailor named Damian Winters died at Dougs beach. They think he hit his head while attempting a trick. As Doug mentioned earlier the people out there were great. Good sailors and just great people so even though Damian wasn't know to any of us it is like losing a member of a strangely woven extended family.
I apologize for being so quiet since my return. I have been buried in work. For the record the Gorge is everything Doug has said and then some. There was however one inaccuracy. I did not nail so many jibes on the 82 Chango as much as I managed not to fall a handful of times. It was a trip of a lifetime and I can't wait to return.
Peace and prayers for our lost brother.
wk
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Post by Eileen Herbert on Jul 26, 2008 17:00:33 GMT -5
I had hoped that Mark would be able to update the forum with periodic sailing updates from the Gorge but that has not happened. Seems the good doctor can install pacemakers but he can't keep his laptop running. Given the choice of checking the wind in the Gorge or updating the forum (since they can get only a few minutes of work out of the PC in a day) Mark has chosen to check their wind updates. Chalk one up for selfish - go figure.
The news I have is:
Since the departure of Ted, Doug and Bill the boys (Mark & Joe) had an issue with toilet paper. It seems the supply they bought suddenly disappeared when the 3 guys left . They did not discover it until the wee hours of the night and had to make a midnight run to the store. Speculation is that Bill snuck off with all the toilet paper. Their hope is that it caused his luggage to be overweight and he got nailed with an overweight baggage fee.
They have had a couple of nuclear days since the 16th. So far for the entire trip Joe has had 2 no sailing days. They are probably going to leave the house the 29th. They may go east to Roosevelt and sail there a day, spend the night camping there and then start the haul home. All of that obviously depends on wind. They may try Lake Mac again in western Nebraska as well.
Mark has to be back to work on Monday the 4th so I expect them for sure next Sunday, possibly Saturday. Since Mark has spent only 1 day in July in NY, I suspect he could enjoy a breather of one true day off on Sunday before going back to work. Joe on the other hand will be sitting pretty no matter when he arrives home because the dutiful wife is scooping dog doo, mowing the lawn etc.
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Post by windkid on Jul 28, 2008 8:30:20 GMT -5
I must plead "Not Guilty" to the missing toilet paper. Now I'm not pointing fingers but I did notice a Boeing 747 at the Portland Airport draped in TP like a Halloween prank and someone who looked remarkably like Doug fleeing across the Tarmac.
Go figure.
bill
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JoeMark aka the dream team
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Post by JoeMark aka the dream team on Jul 28, 2008 11:25:11 GMT -5
Sorry it took so long to post a message. We have had technical issues. But, we have had great wind conditions with only one no-wind day, so far. But, it looks bad for today--maybe only some light wind by this afternoon. Mostly we have sailed 3.5 to 4.5, just one 5.0 session until it picked up even that day. Joe is getting really good at fixing the nose of Mark's board, that has been dinged/crushed a few times.
We probably are leaving here Wednesday a.m. Can't wait to get back next July.
J/M
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