Spring Gorge Trip 2011: June 17, 2011 - Swell City was Swell...`

It's hard to believe it is almost the end of our trip. Cam headed out on Thursday as he wanted to get back for his Anniversary. I decided to leave after sailing today, and Kent decided to join me so we could drive back together. I believe most of the other guys will be leaving Saturday after sailing, although a few, like Andreas and Ross, don't have to be back until Monday Night.

At Swell City, you have to pay Brenda
a $5 launch fee...

At first we thought we should head East to Roosevelt again, but at breakfast Brad worked on his Iphone to check the I-Windsurf site, and figured the Hatchery would be the place to go.

Big Jim and Handre decided that the Event Site would be more suited for them, and Ross and Andreas headed to Rowena - I think.

When we got there... no one knew what to rig...

When we arrived at the Hatchery, we found that fishing nets had been strung out across our launch site, essentially blocking all reasonable access to the water. We definitely did not want to deal with that, in addition to the current. We left the fish nets for the locals to deal with (I imagine there will be some screaming...) and headed to Swell City, just down river.

Swell is usually a great place to sail, but with the current, some of us were worried that if we didn't stay powered, we would drift down current, and there is no good landing spot for miles. (Unlike the Hatchery, where you can drift down to Swell City...)

Kent was watching the water...

The wind looked light, and we thought we might not be able to sail, until a local went out on a 5m sail and looked fully powered. There was a rigging frenzy as usual. Virtually everyone went out on their new Sailworks 5.2m Sails. I was on my 5.6, and I think Harold A had a smaller rig. We all had a lot of fun, although the wind was a bit light, and there was some slogging. It felt great to be in control for a change. The current wasn't a big deal as it didn't seem as strong as at the Hatchery.

Looking towards the Hatchery

Kent left after his first session and headed to Roosevelt, hoping for stronger winds out East. I stayed for a second session, and left around 4:00. The rest of the gang were still sailing!

On the way out of town, I flagged down our friend Mike Pokock, to say goodbye. We always enjoy running into Mike and have had many a brew with him. Mike is actually an author and runs an on-line company which sells personalized romance and mystery novels. Check it out at Books by You.
They make great gifts! (I'm hoping that Mike will sponsor our next trip....)

I met up with Kent at Roosevelt - there was no wind at all, so we headed for home. Made it as far as Sandpoint, so it should be an easy drive home Saturday.

It has been a great trip!

Ted