Shannon's Big B'Day Downwinder!!!

tonyb · Tue Jun 05, 07 9:02 pm **Shannon's Big B'Day Downwinder!!!**

Well, Shannie, my most favorite step daughter, is growing up and turns the big 21 this Sunday, June 10th. And what does she want to do on her birthday? A monster down winder of course!!! And you're all invited to join us for thrills, spills, and chills!!! Then maybe a trip to the local bars if you really twist her arm enough. She's not much of a party girl but you might convince her to have a drink or three. Wink

So, if the weather cooperates at all on Sunday here's the plan:

Drop kite gear, BBQ, coolers with "refreshments", brats, chips, salsa, and snacks at Stevenson around 11:00 then shuttle our pickup truck to Hood River. Back to Stevenson by noon, then start getting set up for a potential Stevenson departure around 1:00 p.m. Take 2 to 4 hours to make the trip to HR. Come back and fire up the BBQ around 5, have some brews, brats, followed by Shannon's first (legal) beer at Walking Man.

Plan B if the wind isn't looking so hot: Stevenson to Home Valley, then BBQ back in Stevenson.

Plan C if we have to go farther east for wind: Park and play at Lyle, HR, or maybe Rufus? We'll take the BBQ and coolers to this spot.

Plan D if the weather just sucks: party at our Tiki bar and jump in the pool and hot tub.

So, if you want to join the downwinder and toast one to Shan come on down - we'll supply lots of brats, chips, salsa, cold ones, and a rum cake or two. If you want something more bring it on in and we'll throw it on the grill for you.

Stay tuned for last minute changes and updates to the plan. Hopefully the wind cooperates and we can get a dozen or so kiters to make the trip together!

Tony

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Count me in. Sounds like fun.
I have never done a down winder of such magnitude but hey what the hell, Por Que No?
Maybe this could be the start of an annual event "Shannon's Big B'Day Downwinder!!! I have a pickup if you need extra portage back from where ever you decide to go. See you Sunday am. Thumb's Up

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1153 Posts Oregon Phishy

T,
That is a long downwinder. Do you have any watercraft support lined up?

tonyb · Thu Jun 07, 07 7:56 am

Not really. We have our two person kayak but my oldest daughter who is not going on the downwinder, can't drive the truck. If there is a wife, or boyfriend or girl friend sitting around who wants to follow the action from the shoreline they could drive our truck along, take pictures, and be ready with the kayak.

Shannon and I did this downwinder once last year without boat support, took about 2 1/2 hours, only had a couple of dead spots of no wind to work our way around. But you know with a dozen kiters out somebody is going to break something.

Anybody want to cruise along taking pictures and pick up wayward kiters?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I think you just got to wing it, yes people will break down but hey your a hitchhike away from home. Very Happy

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

Count me in-- sounds like fun....as long as I am not the one hitchin it back Very Happy

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 07, 07 8:30 am

If someone has acess to a boat, i can drive it.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Tony, thanks for all the help out at stevenson yesterday,
Won't be able to make it to shannon's downwinder though. Going to corvallis and eugene for a catamaran race and my own 22nd birthday on the 9th. Would have loved to do such a long downwinder. Most I've ever gone downwind was probably 100 yards through the water while tangled in my lines.

JNETTE · Since 02 Feb 2006 149 Posts PORTLAND Stoked

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNON!!! I'll be in Vegas winning some LOOT!!! Smile

Buy ya a beer when I get back!!! Very Happy

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1153 Posts Oregon Phishy

The forecast looks pretty crappy for kting today. Tony, what are the backup plans?

tonyb · Sun Jun 10, 07 7:19 am

Yeah, weather is not cooperating so far. We have sunshine breaking through in Stevenson at 8 a.m. but the forecast doesn't look good for wind. We're gonna have to play it by ear for a few hours here then decide on running out east to Rufus or trying for the late aftenoon Stevenson to Home Valley session. I'm almost certain Stevenson to HR is out. Sad

I'll post the BBQ update and plans in a couple of hours once we see what the weather is doing and get the gang moving on this end.

Tony

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1735 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

HB Shannon! See you at the sandbar maybe??? Cool

tonyb · Sun Jun 10, 07 10:32 am

Ok - 11:30 update - looks like Shannie just wants to hang here in Stevenson so we're heading down the beach in about 45 minutes or so to kite, set up the BBQ and apps. We've got brews, dogs, brats, chips, salsa, and RUM CAKE! If you're out and about stop by and say Happy B-Day to Shannon.

We may still do Stevenson to Home Valley if the wind steadies out this afternoon. Chase kayak and shuttle service available!

See ya down there!

Tony

anjion · Since 12 May 2007 14 Posts

Happy birthday! And I wish it would have worked out for you guys on the DW'er I would love to do one sometime soon.

Nak · Sun Jun 10, 07 12:17 pm

Happy birthday Shannon! Wish Joanne and I could be there (We met briefly in Las Ventana)

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Sorry I couldn't make the birthday, we were too busy kooking out at the sandbar. Happy Birthday Shannon!

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Hope you guys had fun and didnt get too much rain. We decided to stay out east in the sun Smile