Saturday, September 6, 2014 - Keyless Jim and Al

2014-09-06

Gerry and Eddy arrived at about 1:00am, so the group is now complete.

The morning started off as usual with Dog River Coffee, and then breakfast - some at Bett's and some the Hood River Hotel.  Although the forecast wasn't as good as yesterdays - marginal Easterlies at Stevenson, we all headed there anyway just in case!  

To our surprise, the wind was better than yesterday!  Most of the guy's were out on their 5.6m sails.. I went out on my 6.6 and Nash Board.  

I was on the water about 11;30 and sailed for a couple of hours until I couldn't hold on to the boom any more.  Some of the guy's stayed out until around 3:00.  That's 5 days sailing out of 5 for me!

Mike - had a much better day than yesterday on his 5.6

We had some drama, but not in the water.  First Big Air Jim forgot his Thule Box key back in the Condo.  Apparently he had been talking on the trip down about getting a spare cut, but hadn't. 

Fortunately, the only box they couldn't open was the one with all of Jim's stuff in it, so Brad and Blaine were still able to sail.  Jim had to drive all the way back to Hood River and back before he could sail.   What was really annoying to Jim was that he had to fill the van with gas in Hood River before he headed back.  Usually it is up to the passengers to fill the van - so this key incident cost Jim over $100.00....

Blaine had a great day sailing while Jim was getting his key and filling the van.

When Jim got back to the sailing sight, the wind was still blowing, so Jim got out on the water and had a great day!  He told me he felt like an 18 year old!

Gerry and Eddy - having a beer after a great sail!

More drama occurred when Al came off the water and couldn't find his waterproof bag containing the key to his van.  We searched all over the beach to no avail.  It likely is down at the Dam by now.  He had to call AMA and eventually got his van towed to Hood River.  He will get his wife to courier a key down to him - and may have it by Monday.  At least he now has access to his golf clubs!  And tomorrow is supposed to be a no-wind transition day (changing from Easterly to Westerly), so all may work out OK.

The beach finally cleared around 4:00 - but the boys hung around shooting the breeze.

Ross spent the day fixing his Kite Board and then went for a mountain bike ride on Needle Springs and Eight Mile.  He said he needed a day off the water.

The boys admiring a Tesla S Model car on the beach!  The car clsts between $80,000 and $110,000 and is fully electric with a large center computer screen that controls everything.   The performance model goes from 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds, and tops out at around 130mph.

Big Air Jim - in pain trying to keep his tummy held in check for the photo!

Sherpa Brad - offering the photographer a beer!

In the evening we all headed to Ross and Karen's condo for a night of fellowship, wine, beer, pizza and Ross's custom made salad.  Eddy was also inducted into the 40-10 club (a little late as he is 52), and Al was inducted into the 40-20 club.

Pizza Party at Ross and Karens