2019-09-05 Surprise sail!

We were a bit slow getting up this morning.  Eventually, we made our way down to Freshies Bagles and Juice for breakfast.  It was a beautiful day so we sat outside.  Gerry had driven in during the night and had stayed at Tucker's Campsite overnight.

The forecast was not stellar - and I Kitesurf and Timera were contradicting each other.

The general forecast was for Easterly wind, but where and when - and how strong?

We decided to go to Stevenson.   Ross said he might join us later as he didn't think it was windy there.  Gerry left for Stevenson.  I stopped at the condo, and Kent was stopping at Sailworks to talk to them about the new foil he is looking at.  As I was leaving, I thought I had better stop by Sailworks, just in case the plan had changed.   I know from experience with this group, that just because you all agree to meet at a place when you are driving off, doesn't mean that the plan won't change before you get there.  The plan HAD changed.  The Sailworks guy's told us the only place it was blowing was Viento.  So Kent called Gerry, who was almost at Stevenson by now.

Kent and I drove to Viento.  Gerry confirmed that it wasn't blowing at Stevenson, and drove back to meet us at Viento.

The wind looked like good foiling weather.   We all started to Rig.  Kent went out on his 6m sail and did a couple of reaches - as the wind was dying.  I wasn't far behind and was ready to go out, but when Kent is pumping and not always foiling..... I decided not to go out because the wind had died enough that I didn't think I would get going.

Now, we were hearing from people "in the know" that it was blowing at Stevenson, so we packed up all our gear and headed there.

It was blowing.  I went out on my 5.6 Hucker and new Stubby board and had a great session for about an hour.  Kent went out on his foil with a 4.2m sail and was quite overpowered, but made it work.  Gerry was on his 5.6 and Roberts board.

While we were out sailing, Blaine, Brad, and Handre arrived.  Blaine and Brad were quick to get out on the water, but they were a bit late, so only had a half-hour or so before the wind started to die.  Handre decided to go "shopping".

Bill from Idaho was there and came over to say hi.  His moustache is bigger than ever!  I don't think I have ever been down here when I haven't seen him at a sailing site.

I was dehydrated and hungry so I went to The Crossing Panini Place.  It is my favourite place for Panini's, and they have some of the best Lemonade anywhere.  Rene - Wish you were here!

The wind died around 3:00.  Kent stayed out and still had lots of power on his foil.  Kent has three full foil rigs in his truck.  He is trying to decide if he will upgrade, and if he does - which foil he wants.  Actually, he may not know it, but it is obvious to everyone else that he has already decided to upgrade - it's just a matter of which one.

Brad, Blaine and I briefly considered going out foiling, but we had had enough.

They headed to the Condo to unpack.  I went to Windance to sort out my in-store credit (and to spend a bit of it), and then to Big Winds to settle up with Eddy, but he was busy and it was close to closing time, so I decided to come back again tomorrow.

Full disclosure.....  (Both Kent and Louise told me I have to come clean on the blog)..... Yesterday, while Kent and Jim were out sailing at the end of the day, I went to Big Winds, to pick up my new Stubby Windsurf board.  I was late in the day, so they were ready to close, but Eddy was great and set it up for me.  He then took my Kode 94 on consignment.  We were too late to finish the paperwork (and payment), so he sent me off and told me to just come back later in the week.  Good guy!

Big Jim was there when we got back to the Condo, and Al arrived shortly afterwards.  After a few beers on the deck, we headed down to 6th Street Bistro for supper.

Beer on the deck!

It seems that more and more of us are bringing E-Bikes.  Biking to breakfast and supper is so much easier than walking - or driving and trying to find parking.  Gerry, Blaine, and Ted rode their E-bikes, and Brad rode his mountain bike, and Kent took his road bike!  Bike parking may start to become an issue.  Mike has an E-Scooter, and Ross also has an E-bike, but didn't take them this time.....

Bike parking is becoming an issue!

Supper was excellent as usual.  They really treat us well!

Karen, Handre, Blaine, Brad, Kent, Ross, Mike, Gerry, Al and Big Jim

After dinner, we went back to the Condo for ice cream.

Ice Cream Frenzy - Thanks Kent for the photo

Big Air Jim and Cam came in late - after taking a detour to Yakima.  Jim was sleeping and Cam was fully engaged in an Audio Book, so missed a turn.  Oh well only a couple of hours further

Late in the day, we got an email from Andreas.  He is stuck in traffic near Fernie, where there was a major traffic accident so they closed the highway.  He says he has been there for two hours now, and it will be another two or three before they open the highway.  I don't envy him.  It sounds like he will be here by late tomorrow!

That will be the whole gang, in order of appearance...

Ross, Karen, Mike, Ted, Kent, Gerry, Blaine, Brad, Handre, Big Jim, Al, Big Air Jim, Cam and Andreas.

Looking forward to a great trip.

A rare photo of Ted - thanks Kent