2022-09-06 Fall Gorge Trip - Day 1

2022-09-05 Travel Day

Kent left Wabamun Monday morning at 7:00am.  I left my place at 7:30.  We met in Cranbrook around 2:30.  I had gone through Drumheller, so no traffic until the section on Highway 9 south of Drum where there were a lot of RV.  The on-coming traffic on HWY 3 was incredible - bumper to bumper, particularly through Frank to Sparwood.  Fortunately my direction was quite light traffic and not many slow vehicles!  Lucky!  Kent said he had a similar driving experience going through Lake Louise.

The smoke seemed to get worse the further south we got, and peaked out at the border where it was really thick and when you opened the window, you could taste it?

We probably could have sailed at either Baynes lake or at Sandpoint, but it looked a bit marginal and we were in "Travelling Mode".

We got to Ritzville around 8:00, checked in to the Best Western and then went to the local Mexican Restaurant, which was highly recommended by the hotel staff.

The service was great, and the food was plentiful and reasonably good.  We ran into Jeff (Kitesource.ca) and James (Keho Kite Ranch) in the restaurant and had a good chat with them.  I know them both mostly from my Cuba Kiting trips, but also from Keho a few years ago.  They are both on their way to the Gorge for an industry trade show which is happening this week.  It should be interesting as there will be lots of pros in gorge as well as all the industry reps.  Unfortunately they also have the Event Site closed to the public for the week to accommodate their show.

2022-09-06 Arrival!

We had the complimentary breakfast at the Best Western and were on the road by 6:20a.m.

As Kent and I were driving by Roosevelt at 8 in the morning, the water was like glass and the wind turbines on the sides of the gorge were eerily still - like they were locked in place.

Our expectations weren't particularly high, although when we called Ross, he said there was a pretty good forecast for Stevenson.

We arrived at Stevenson at 11:00.  The boat launch was parked out, so we ended up parking up the street and carrying our gear.  There were lots of people on the water, and it looked windy.

Kent thought about his 3.8, but took out his 4.5.  I thought about my 3.5 Wing, but took out my 4.5.  Both of us regretted our decisions.  We both said we thought about coming in to rig down, but we didn't expect the wind to last very long, so we stayed out.  And Stayed, and Stayed and Stayed.....

Ross joined us on his Kite File with a 5M kite and 673 foil.  He had a blast!

Kent stayed down by Bob's Beach, (because he thought the wind was lighter there.....  "Wooss"... just saying.....

The wind started to drop around 2:30.  I was completely beat, so |I decided I was done, and pumping onto the foil was getting harder and harder.

Kent had a great day, even if over powered!

It was a beautiful day, so our gear dried very quickly.  We derigged and then Kent and I went over to the Kite Launch area where we met Ross and Karen.  It was really nice to see Karen, as neither Kent or I have seen her since pre-COVID.  After a quick hello, we left for Sail Works.  

The shopping begins.  Kent bought a new 3.9, 3.2, and 340 mast which he had on order, and I took an 899 front wing on demo (it is slightly smaller than the one I am using now).  I'll try it tomorrow and see if I like it.

Eventually we got back to Ross's Condo.  Kent and I unpacked our vehicles, and then  enjoyed  a few beers on the deck with Ross and Karen.  Kent whined all the time because he had made the wrong sail decision so he was a couple of KM slower on the water, and he hadn't gone back to change sails. 

We originally intended to go to Double Mountain Pizza for supper, but when we walked down there, we found it closed, so instead we went to the Mugen Noodle Bar for supper.  It was really excellent!  We will likely be back.  Jeff from the Keho group joined us as we were eating for a while.  He runs Kitesource.ca and is down with James from the Kite Ranch (Keho) to attend an industry trade show which is happening at the Event Site this week.

It was a beautiful warm evening, so Karen suggested we walk back to the ice cream shop for a "Small" ice cream before heading home.  It was delicious, and fun to sit on their lawn chairs enjoying the warm evening.

Great day!   Looking forward to more wind tomorrow.

28km, and Once good jibe!