2026-06-15 Waiting for Wind

 

Robert was first out and had the best sail of the day!

The forecast was for calm in the morning, then slowly building to sailable sometime late in the afternoon or early evening.

Big Jim and John left early and went to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville to see the Spruce Goose.  Jim said they have added a "Space" museum since we were there years ago.  They both had a lot of fun, and even paid an extra fee for a tour of the Spruce Goose cockpit!  You can see photos on their website here.

I took my quads to Jackson Park - which is the park/amphitheater on the road up to the Mexican restaurant.  It is a beautiful park with huge mature trees and lush, well manicured grass.  You could smell the trees as you walk into the park. The trees are nicely spaced, and many are split at the base, making interesting gaps to try to fly through.

The park was empty and I kept a watch for people - making sure I wasn't getting anywhere near anyone.  I had lots of fun trying to do fast turns around trees and trying to "hit the gaps" between trees, under fences, or through narrow spots.  Here is a link to a video of one of my better flights.

On the way home I stopped at Pure Stokes.  They are clearing out the last of their Sab Foil gear.  Most of it is junk, but they had a 650 6mm fuselage for sale at 40% off.  It will work for my 975 Razor Pro wing, so I ended up buying it.  oops!

After coffee and breakfast at Doppio's, Blaine and Brad went for a bike ride down to the event site, and then part way to Moiser and back.  Blaine sent me a photo of a waterfall that they passed.  I am going to have to get him to show me where that is, as Louise and I have cycled that route many times without spotting it.

Robert went for an early morning mountain bike ride up into the hills.

Al went for a walk, Ross did some work, as did Kent.  Blaine brought his 5.5m Wing to Sailworks and Dale did a quick repair.

At Noon, Cam and Cynthia announced they were going to ride to the Rowena Lookout and wondered if anyone would want to go along.  It was already over 30c...  They didn't get takers.  They had a pretty good ride, but were very much over heated -pouring water over themselves - by the time they got back.

I stayed in the air conditioned condo, and prepared a video of my flights from this morning.  

Around 2:30, people were feeling they should go sit by the river to wait for the promised wind.  The call was Viento, as we figured the wind would hit there first.

Brad rigged - but didn't get out...

Rob was the first out on the water on his 5.2 wing.  He got going easily. Kent joined him with his 7.0 Flyer and 800 front wing.  He also got going  A mini rigging frenzy began....  Then the wind died.......then it came up again, and Blaine went out but never did get on foil...  

I brought my board down and rigged my 8m wing.  I had to fiddle with it to install a harness line, and by the time I was ready - the wind had died again....  everyone was either off the water or slogging to shore.....

Blaine figured he needed a bigger front foil like a 999.  I had our old 999 in my gear bag, and offered to sell it to him.  He was quick to accept!

Blaine rigged - but didn't get out...

Cam, Cynthia, Jim and Ben arrived, and we all sat on the beach for a while wondering what the wind would do.

Kent, Blaine and I derigged, and of course the wind started coming up again...  but while Jim M, Al, both had boards down by the water no one went out.

Interesting day.  We are looking forward to a LOT of wind tomorrow.... maybe too much!

Ross, John, and Big Jim - Waiting for Wind!