I'm sitting in my office, looking out the window, and watching the trees blow in the wind. I met William at Van Pugh for a mid-day windsurfing session. It was cold, a bit gusty at times, and only windy enough for us both to rig 7.0 sails. However, if I hadn't gone, the wind would be driving me crazy and I wouldn't have gotten much done. Getting out early, there was no traffic driving back to Atlanta. So I'm going to report it was a most excellent day.
—
Barrett
Like yesterday, today is another wedge day. Gene mentioned this yesterday when he declined to participate in Barrett and William's excellent adventure. Warm air on the west of the Apps, cold air coming down from the NE on the east side. It's as warm in Michigan as it is in central GA.
https://windsportatlanta.com/wiki/Wedge
Meanwhile, the forecast in the Gorge, (by Temira: TheGorgeIsMyGym.com):
Gorge Wind Forecast
It’s Wednesday, and offshore high pressure today will combine with a front moving inland for strong, gusty west wind, especially in the eastern Gorge. And by the way, it’s Tuesday, not Wednesday and I don’t feel like retyping the first sentence. Anyway, we’ll start off with gusty westerlies at 24-28 near Viento and in the far eastern Gorge. In the afternoon, the wind will change a bit: it’ll fill in everywhere. Under the clouds from Stevenson to Swell or so, the wind will be gusty 16-20 with more possible from the Narrows to Viento. East of Mosier, the wind will pick up to gusty 28-33, steadiest east of Maryhill.
Wednesday starts with 10-13 in the western Gorge and 13-16 in the eastern Gorge. In the afternoon, the wind will pick up to 23-27 from Mosier to Arlington. Thursday sees a low approach Vancouver Island during the day. This sets the Gorge up for 13-16 in the morning with 23-26 in the afternoon, strongest from Swell to Rowena. River temp is 43 degrees. River flow is 203kcfs at The Dalles, a good reading for conditions in the Rufus stretch of the Columbia.
Marek
Meanwhile...
I am watching clouds pass overhead and there is no wind at ground level.
I think we have been smited...
Edit
Smited may be too strong of a word but I do feel a bit disenfranchised
Don't worry. I took this smiting for the team today. Wasted gas and 2 hours. This is the kind of day one looks at his Serenity and says "What's the point?"
Anyway - found that things have changed at 2 Mile. Park now has some paved parking and a booth where you can pay money to get in. The little road that led to the best parking spots for windsurfing is now closed and you would have to launch from the boat ramp, or carry your gear a ways. The once semi useful eastern side of the park appears now to be at the end of a walking path. Long way to carry your board. I sailed there a few times when for one reason or other the usual easterly spots were not available, or I was just bored with them. So score a nice upgrade on the park for civilians and windsporters get smited again. I guess we had it coming.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I'll come clean. I got smited, too. Water is still too cold, I think, for a gentle breeze to punch through. Flags waving all the way up the interstate. But, often, the water was like glass.
HOWEVER, did fill in for about 10 minutes and my three flights were glorious. Sure the other 82 minutes sucked but sitting at home would have, too..
Be smitten no more. Friday’s forecast is for NW wind & temp in 60’s.
Barrett
This is probably my fault
No doubt retribution for my long history as a blasphemer. The wizzened among you might recall my Interview with God for the April Fools issue of our newsletter way back when... for which I was mightily chastised by Louise Christensen (doubly egregious she splained, being as how it was "so close to Easter"). God rest her soul. I hope to
hellheck... Pray she is sitting on a cloud playing a harp withJC and the BoysJesus and his Disciples. Have a Good Friday!Foildood, no worries from us. If my supreme being wanted to punish me, he would banish me to a windless wasteland.
Wait... Oh, that may explain some things.
(Actually, today was a nice day to be out. The Hispanic groundskeepers at VP said hello to me.)
Randy - re: 2Mile Creek - that was a place that I occasionally enjoyed for SW and one could drive up the dirt road to access NE in a pinch. There were seldom any other folks there and the carry was about 100 feet or less. I think somebody found a stray pot of guvment $ and found a way to cash in. After being shut down for 1 1/2 year or so, the new "improved" park really sucks for W/S, and I would be surprised if the improvements turn out to be a major draw.
CP - you can still launch for westerlies, from the boat ramp area but it just takes some work to get out. I used to launch there in the summer anyway, since the primo parkings were usually already taken. The park was empty yesterday. I suppose the people living around there like the walking path.
BTW - I recall a number of years ago the locals were up in arms because Bethel park was being sold the the YMCA. I wonder if that's where the money came from?
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I am going to try to go to Holly park this afternoon
Live report from Holly
Whitecaps
And a short walk to the water
There were whitecaps at Mary Alice today as well at least at times. Enough capsize my kite boat and reward me with my first OBE* (Out of Boat Experience). It's a good thing I never practiced remounting the boat after a capsize.
*Not to be confused with
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_British_Empire
"The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the Civil service.[2] It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, and comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or dame if female.[3] There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order."
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Thanks for the reports. I'm saving my windsurfing mojo for tomorrow, Friday. I plan to sail in the afternoon at Van Pugh.
Barrett
I had many good fast runs at Holly.
That section of lake seems seams a lot smaller this year.
It used to be a long way to the other side....
Live report from VP
Whitecaps in the channel
A few whitecaps within 100 -200 yards from shore
Whitecaps from time to time at Galts. Seemed to fade as the day went on and became pretty light by 3 when I left.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
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