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Yardsale
Since 29 Mar 2005
387 Posts
Portlanastan
Obsessed
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 Mon Jan 28, 08 2:25 pm |
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| registered wrote: | improvements will increase the gumby factor. .....
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Thats impossible! ......................... 
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Wyo Kiter
Since 09 Mar 2006
148 Posts
In a VAN, down by the RIVER.
Stoked
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 5:01 pm |
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Build a tunnel or bridge over the Railroad X-ing those train horns are loud! 
_________________
Helping companys to innovate bricks-and-clicks supply-chains and orchestrate real-time content to deliver customized channels to scale strategic e-services and facilitate global e-markets which will incubate 24/7 niches and seize dot-com channels. |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 5:18 pm |
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| I thought about it long and hard. I think a high speed train from Portland to the launch site would be the best improvement. You could get dressed and pump up your kite on the way out! Then you could get completely drunk and not have to drive home.
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Spike
Since 13 May 2007
1414 Posts
Alameda
Spelling Expert
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 7:02 pm |
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| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | | I thought about it long and hard. I think a high speed train from Portland to the launch site would be the best improvement. You could get dressed and pump up your kite on the way out! Then you could get completely drunk and not have to drive home. |
sounds better for Sauvie island, get drunk before on the way there, no wind anyway
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tonyb
Since 09 Oct 2006
973 Posts
Stevenson in the summer & SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 9:51 pm |
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| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: |
I thought about it long and hard. I think a high speed train from Portland to the launch site would be the best improvement. You could get dressed and pump up your kite on the way out! Then you could get completely drunk and not have to drive home. |
Not sure about the high speed part but as my alter-ego of Port Commissioner I sent an inquiry to Amtrak about a month ago trying to find out what it takes to get a stop added to their route. The first computer generated reply was less than inspiring. I'm waiting on a response to my carefully worded e-mail requesting a real person to actually read what their system is sending out. I think an Amtrak stop in Stevenson would be great. On their current timetable it looks like it would leave Portland around 4:45 p.m. and hit Stevenson around 6:00 p.m. Just enough time to get a session in before the wind dies in the summer. So, on a Friday afternoon go down to the train station in downtown Portland, catch a nap on the train, wake up in Stevenson, walk to the launch, kite for an hour (sometimes as late as 8 or 9), then over to Walking Man for a beer, then sleep at the local inn, then kite all day Saturday and Sunday and finally catch the train home on Monday at 8:00 a.m. and back to work in Portland just a little late around 10:00 a.m. Mumble something to your boss about the damn train making you late again then hurry up to see if you were in time to catch the last donut in the break room.
Like Jimmi, Carol had also suggested I look into a locker or storage system at the launch site as a potential improvement. I'll bring it up at the next meeting and see what the interest is.
There are some good ideas here (and some not so practical  ) but the best thing to do is get these to the CGKA then have the CGKA make a presentation to the Port.
Personally there are some things I'd like to see at the site in regards to the vegetation, signage, access, and other amenities. As a commissioner I have to look at the cost/benefit and other impacts plus make sure we play by the rules. There are some good things already in the works though. I'll see if I can get a summary put together of all the waterfront projects slated for '08 and maybe get it posted up here in a week or two.
Tony
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stringer
Since 31 Jul 2007
694 Posts
Chucktown
Flying Tomato
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 10:30 pm |
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I know its been talked about before, but how feasible is it to develop a new launch on that grassy hill just west of the existing launch?
If a dock was going to go anywhere, it might help out there.
A dock, floating or not, would be the one of the least invasive ways to make it possible, as opposed to completely rebuilding the area.
Is this logistically or physically possible?
Also, would the sternwheeler pose a problem with its proximity/windshadow?
Otherwise we could "take it all in 08" and storm Bob's 
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Kataku2k3
Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 10:33 pm |
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| The sternwheeler makes for a pretty nasty "shadow" (on a west day) when launching off the SS dock in light winds. Maybe not so much for the actual launch, just once you've got the kite over to the right after taking off.
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Spike
Since 13 May 2007
1414 Posts
Alameda
Spelling Expert
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| Mon Jan 28, 08 11:21 pm |
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| stringer wrote: | | Otherwise we could "take it all in 08" and storm Bob's |
Ha, that would be awesome, and go over real well
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ronp
Since 05 Jul 2007
79 Posts
west linn
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 11:43 am |
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Tony, congratulations on your new role!
One comment on a floating dock. I can't see how it could work if it were at the normal launch spot because it could make it tough to ride in close when landing. Also, with the wind direction, it would be tough to get a good launch if the doc was at a down wind position in the water. pea gravel on the rocks in the water would be nice.
Best for me would be an alternate landing spot for when the launch is filled for 40 minutes. I hate to land upwind of the rock but it is sometimes necessary just to get in.
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Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 1:05 pm |
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These are all good ideas (some farther off, hot tubs ect) But still a great start. Keep the ideas coming.
Think outside the box....
_________________
Cleverly disguised as an adult...
www.naishkites.com |
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shymac
Since 20 Jul 2005
919 Posts
Home Valley, Wa.
Bigfoot
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 4:36 pm |
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Keep the home break the way it is....
Its a crappy launch, there are rocks everywhere, no flat water, no big swell, and its cold pretty much till the end of summer. If you can't handle it you can't handle it, thats why there is a sand pit and a nude beach...
I think the Cascade Locks side would be your best bet for a better launch site.
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KITEADDICT
Since 13 Apr 2006
117 Posts
PDX west side
Stoked
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 4:44 pm |
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When they dredge the river have them dump all that sand at the edge of the water to make a nice sand bar. 
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 4:52 pm |
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If anything, this thread kind of exemplifies how hard it would be to be in Tony's shoes.
Do this; No, do that, Don't DO ANYTHING..
Maybe it shouldn't be improved? The crowds can get pretty old, although could it ever get as bad as the spit? So perhaps the first question should be ..should it be improved?
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Spike
Since 13 May 2007
1414 Posts
Alameda
Spelling Expert
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 4:52 pm |
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| KITEADDICT wrote: | | When they dredge the river have them dump all that sand at the edge of the water to make a nice sand bar. |
ENOUGH WITH THE SAND ALREADY!!
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stringer
Since 31 Jul 2007
694 Posts
Chucktown
Flying Tomato
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 5:23 pm |
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Hey Shymac, where is the launch area in Cascade Locks?
Launching there could mean easy access to riding that sandbar up there.
I've really only ridden up there on an old surfboard in light(er) winds, but it was pretty fun, the swells seemed a lot longer than down at the regular launch.
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 5:30 pm |
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| Spike wrote: | | KITEADDICT wrote: | | When they dredge the river have them dump all that sand at the edge of the water to make a nice sand bar. |
ENOUGH WITH THE SAND ALREADY!! |
If you build it, they will come...
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| Sandbar... |
kookage.jpg |
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stringer
Since 31 Jul 2007
694 Posts
Chucktown
Flying Tomato
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| Tue Jan 29, 08 6:19 pm |
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| Quote: |
If you build it, they will come... |
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