2013 Spring Gorge Trip: Thursday, June 20, 2013

Roosevelt - Again

First order of business is to take care of Big Air Jim aka Walk of Shame Jim, who strenuously objects to the title "Walk of Shame Jim". He claims that because he was swimming, not walking, and because after an hour of struggling, he made it past the point and was able to "walk" in to the beach, HE DID NOT DO THE WALK OF SHAME. He would prefer if we refer to him as "Big Swim Jim", however that doesn't seem fair as his little swim pales in comparison to the swim done by Big Jim when his boom came unhooked, or that Ted did when his mast broke, or that Kent did last fall when he was becalmed at Stevenson. I guess we could call him "little swim Jim", but he probably wouldn't be happy with that, and we would be hearing about it for days and days - probably years. I guess it's easier to keep calling him Big Air - and every now and then just remind him about his little swim.

Rene had his best day of the trip so far!

Rene - Big Smile

This could be the last day of real wind. The forecast is lighter on Friday and for poor weather on Saturday.

Lucille was complaining that there weren't any photos of Cam sailing on the blog.
That is because he sails on the other side of the river. Here is my best shot.

There was lots of discussion over breakfast about where to sail. Mike, who had stayed at Roosevelt, was already on the water (not sure we believed him).... Some wanted Maryhill, Kent wanted the Wall, others wanted Roosevelt, and most of us just wanted some kind of consensus...

I finally got some photos of Allan today.

Allan - Blasting

Kent and Rene (who are traveling together) almost had a divorce, because Rene didn't want to sail at the Wall.

Blaine, Brad, Big Air Jim and Kent - using the Force to levitate the erratic...

As usual, there was some last minute shopping before everyone headed out. Eventually Ross and Kent went to the Wall, and the rest of us landed in Roosevelt by noon. The conditions looked great, and we all headed out - basically the same sail sizes as yesterday - I was on my 4.8.

Rene - showing off!

Handre - initiating a Jibe!

Just about the time we were coming off the water, Kent and Ross showed up. I guess they had a good 45 minutes before a barge came through. The wind direction then changed which ruined the swells.

Kent thought he would go out in the lighter afternoon winds and show everyone how fast he is....

Here Kent is passing Rene (for the first time of the trip).

We sailed hard until about 2:30, when the wind started to drop a bit. After a serious lull, the wind picked up but was a bit more gusty. Most re-rigged to a larger sail or board, and went out for more punishment.

Cam - enjoying a snack after sailing....
come to think about it cam always seems to be eating.....
He is training for a marathon later this summer...

Who's fingers do you think these are - think level of fitness, and healthy living style.

you guested it.....

Handre!! WTF

Harold was the last one off the water at about 5:30, but Handre probably worked the hardest.

Harold may have been the last one off the water...
but Handre worked the hardest - and was rewarded with a few more Jibes.

Everyone met at 6th Street for dinner - another fantastic day. At 6th Street, we met Alex and Jim from Sundance Ski in Edmonton finally arrived and were welcomed into the group.