I had been planning a trip to Florida this weekend since the family is out of town and visiting in-laws. But, as luck would have it - no wind in sight down there. I kept seeing on Inteliicast's Windcast, that as you got further north of Atlanta, it got windier. So after checking every model and forecast I could think of, it seemed they all agreed that Nashville was in for some wind to day (Sat.)

Nashville's windsurfing "lone ranger" Jerry McEwen posted had some info on Rec.windsurfing about the lake up there (J. Percy Priest lake). It sounded good for SW, so I contacted him. He was anxious to help give me the details of sailing up north.

I left bright and early at 7 am, arrived at Cook Recreation area about 11 (Atl time). (Wind appeared dead calm until the last hour, so I was thinking that I had made a big mistake.) After surveying the site, I could tell it was windy -lots of whitecaps and a very nice lake. Not many boats or jet skis this time of year. Not as big as Lanier, but bigger than toona. Jerry met me there and told me where all the stumps were burried and of the other minor hazzards and issues. Sailed 7.0 from about noon till 4, very solid till 2. Jerry sailed 7.5. Probably should have rigged my 8.4 for about an hour (2-3) but just as soon as I went to rig the big sail, the wind picked up again, and the last hour was really good. Great day, a long drive, there and back, but a fun place to go. Jerry said it was the first time in 3 years he's sailed with anyone. So next time you want to try a new place, give some thought to Nashville. It looks like there are plenty of places to stay nearby, and camping is available nearby (at least at KOA, though I suspect there are probably some campgrounds around.) So might be a place for a weekend road trip sometime when the forecast's are right.

Randy