2012-09-12 Easterly at Stevenson

Easterly at Stevenson

First - I want to make it clear that it was not me who made the "spousal abuse" comments on yesterday's blog.  I have been receiving Threatening Emails from various wives, (including my own) and I feel I have to defend myself.....We were all on the deck at the condo yesterday after sailing, and I had finished up the blog - I thought.  I handed the computer over to a certain sailor (who believes that he gets "Big Air"), and he went to work making the final edits and corrections.  Those comments were made without my knowledge.  My sincere apology to any of the wives who may have been offended.  For the record I fully support the idea of bringing home gifts for our better half's, and or supporting a major shopping spree by them while we are away....

Back to Sailing.....

The call was for very strong easterly winds at Stevenson.  The problem with easterlies is that they usually start early, and end before noon.  We decided to get out early so we wouldn't miss them.

After a quick stop at McDonalds for breakfast, I arrived at the beach at around 8:30.  Gerry was already on the water coming back in.  He wanted to rig down from his 4.8 to his 4.2.  IT WAS VERY WINDY - ESPECIALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.

I got out on the water about 9:00 - right after Eddy.  The others started arriving and soon everyone was out.

Pretty well everyone were on 4.2's or 4.8's/  I sailed my 4.8 all day!

Big Air Jim

Time is a funny thing.  Big Air Jim swears he had a 3.5 hour session in the morning.... he got on the water around 10:00 and was tired and off the water by 11:30 - resting to get ready for his next session...

Handre

 Handre had a blast.  He is jumping and completing a good percentage of his jibes!  We are now starting to give him "Negative Advice".  He is getting better too fast, and we are concerned that he will be a better sailor than most of us in a year or two.  So Handre - make sure you keep your legs straight - slow down before going into those Jibes, and most important - remember to hold the sail until you are all the way through the turn, and DON'T lean forward!

Blaine

 Blaine was showing us all his new Jibing technique.  Very stylish, but not all that effective....

Blaine - looking stylish as he is heading back to the beach!

Kent - using Handre as a jibe marker...

 Kent chased Handre around for a good part of the afternoon.  Kent witnessed a few Jibes and jumps!

Blaine

Harold - Looking stylish in his new Promotion Wetsuit

 At noon we came off the water as the wind backed off.  I thought we were done for the day.  To our surprise, the wind picked up again, and blew all day.  It was still blowing 30mph when we left the site at 5:00pm.  Everyone said it was the best Easterly they had ever sailed at the Gorge.  Steady warm wind, and even some swells to play on!

Harold W had to pack up at 2:00 and leave for home.  It was hard to leave when it was such a beautiful day, but apparently he has a big event at his ski lodge that he has to get ready for.  We were all sorry to see him go - but the good news is now everyone has their own room in the condo.... (Sorry Harold)

Harold A

De-briefing on the deck back at the condo after a great day of sailing!

Big Air Jim - in another Fantasy

We are not sure what Jim is doing here to Blaine's van....  We think maybe that he is still having fantasy's about rescuing people, and that by pretending that Blaine's van is an ambulance, he is moving into a more involved dream world.  We have noticed that he as been losing his grip lately.  Today, for example, he sailed all day on his 4.7, but thought he was sailing on his 4.2.  It didn't even dawn on him to wonder why he was keeping up to some of us for a change......