Early this morning, I decided to run over to Highland Park for a quickie. The wind was gusty, but it was out of the NNW, so it was a good direction for Highland.
I laid down two miles of tracks and caught the wondering eyes of lots of people both, sledding on the hill, and driving by. One kid asked if he could have a try. He didn't believe me when I told him he'd kill himself. I didn't argue. I just walked away and ignored him.
Then, after a lunch break, I drove over to Arrowhead Park in Maumee to ride the field next to The Pinnacle. I parked at The PInnacle, pumped up my kite and returned to the car to put on my snow pants only to discover that I'd forgotten them at home. Feh. So, I deflated the kite and drove home to get them. After all that, I decided to go to MBSP for my afternoon session. The wind is just so much cleaner coming off of the lake.
The roads in Oregon were pretty bad. I just kept a reasonable speed and payed close attention to the road.
When I got to MBSP, it was white-out conditions with really strong and steady winds. I pumped up my 5 meter (smallest) kite and made some runs across the field along the edge of the beach. I was really having to work the kite hard to keep going at some points. At other times, I was really glad I was on my five, not my nine. The choice, when you've got a gap like 5/9 is work hard on a 5, or get worked on the 9. In the water, that's a no-brainer. You go with the bigger kite and enjoy having your ass handed to you. On the snow, it's not such an easy decision.
I contemplated pumping up the 9 at one point and I made my way back toward the car. As I approached, I noticed another car 'parked' near mine. Turns out, he wasn't parked at all. He had been watching me snowkiting and ran his Jeep right off the edge of the parking lot. He was bottomed out and even his so-called-four-wheel-drive didn't help. I say so-called because only his front left and back right wheels would turn. The other two wheels just sat there.
I ended up pumping up the 9 meter kite at around 4 pm (3p on the graph below) and riding for a little while longer. The wind really died at one point and my legs were burning, so I called it a day. It was 5pm (4pm below) when I packed up and headed home. On the way home, the clouds parted and the sun came out. Of course, the wind really picked up after that, too. I think I'm glad I didn't stay for that wind, though. It looks like it was really gusty and full of holes.
My MBSP ride was 7 miles, giving me a total of 9 on the day. It's so much more fun when you're not riding alone. I gotta get some more phone numbers of other kiters in the area besides Ryan.
And, this is what my living room looks like when I dry my kites after a snow-kite session.
BizB Sun Mar 09 03:43:17 PM I learned my ground-hog lesson on that field back when I used to use my mountainboard with the kites in the warmer months. Luckily, with the snowboard, they're no big deal.
Coyote, though... yikes.
The red fox are making a comeback in the area, too. Reply
Betty Boop Sun Mar 09 12:50:14 PM It is good to learn that coyotes are coming back to the area. I just hope people don't try feeding them. They should keep their natural fear of humans and their pets too.
Biz - a new thing to worry about - ground hog holes!! Reply
coach td Sun Mar 09 09:47:55 AM Yo, Biz. That field next to the Pinnacle is loaded with ground hogs. When I've got the girls in the van they always take a 'hog head count' as we're getting on 23 heading north. We've also see coyote in that field and on the south side of Dussel along with deer. We were coming out of Max and Erma's one day and there was a coyote in the parking lot! I think you need a mini cow catcher for your rig. Watch out or you'll be taking home dinner to go. Reply
BizB Sat Mar 08 07:09:47 PM That meatloaf is AWESOME!
I ended up pumping up the 9 meter kite at around 4 pm (3p on the graph below) and riding for a little while longer. The wind really died at one point and my legs were burning, so I called it a day. It was 5pm (4pm below) when I packed up and headed home. On the way home, the clouds parted and the sun came out. Of course, the wind really picked up after that, too. I think I'm glad I didn't stay for that wind, though. It looks like it was really gusty and full of holes.
BizB Sun Mar 09 03:43:17 PM 
Betty Boop Sun Mar 09 12:50:14 PM 
coach td Sun Mar 09 09:47:55 AM 