MMMMmmmm what a great feeling

[Tighe]

Two days of riding, great company, insanely perfect weather, good beer, wind in the trees and lapping waves to sleep to under a full moon...mmmmm.

Thanks to Ed, Cynthia and Steve for sharing their spot on Ottertail. What a great spot. Huge yard for rigging kites, shallow sandy bottom almost as far out as Malmo, great deck for hanging, insanely delicious brownies, great soup snacks and dinner..., we were treated like royalty. Thanks

Tom, Debbie (who shot up on Saturday), Jeff, Ed, Joe, and myself shared the massive lake yesterday mainly on 11s and 14s, today came up a bit more and we were joined by John, Rob and Bob. Rob was skying big, John looked great on his surfboard, Bob got some of his first long runs. Tom took the session of all sessions not coming in all day and riding almost the entire length of the lake. Debbie was getting some good boosts. Jeff was getting great air on his Octane and new Freak Dog. I don't know about everyone else but I'm toast.

Good to see Mark J again. Looks as good as new. Hopefully we'll be able to share some wind again.

As we drove back the bright red fireball slowly crept toward the earth and was replaced by an incredible yellow moon.

Who'd a thought two days could be so rejuvenating.

Thanks again Ed, et al.

[Debbie]

I second that. Cynthia and Ed couldn't have been more gracious hosts. Warm brownies! It was like being at a five star resort.

After three days of riding, I am a bit pooped. It was worth it though. I even got to ride Tom's 14M on Sunday. It was fun until the wind picked up and I had to do the butt-drop stop. Tighe was nice enough to give me some tips on jumping - thanks.

Great weekend.

[Tighe]

Yeah when we arrived Debbie was coming in on Tom's 14, Ed said she had fear in her eyes. I can't imagine how you even got back after the wind came up. Still think you should have sent it, actually all you probably needed to do was pull in and hang on.

[tom_latcham]

I can't say enough about the hospitality of the Janssen's. They have a beautiful spot and made us feel welcome. Nice to meet Cynthia, Ed, Cynthia's brother Steve, Nephew Joe and the three dogs. I wish I could have that many kites dancing though the sky on my bay. However my bay is not kiteboard heaven like the Janssen's spot. Drops off to fast to be safe from docks and too much Milfoil. Debbie was coming in cause she wanted the 17meter.
Thanks Ed and Cynthia

[johnz]

Yes, thank you Ed and family for letting us invade your little piece of heaven up there. It was well worth the drive.

Best session of the year!!!

[RobH]

Yeah - what they all said! Glad I made the drive up on Monday, I wont hesitate to make that drive again now that I know what awaits. I knew when I pulled into your driveway and seen the Wakeboard boat, the old comp slalom ski's in the shed along with the kites and bikes that I was in a good spot. Thanks much for the open invite! Great to see the rest of the crew up there - lets do it again real soon!

[Tighe]

A few photos

http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/lakawaphoto/?show=262

[efjanssen]

Hey - that was a great weekend. Thanks for coming up. We enjoyed meeting everyone. I always enjoy being around kiters as everyone is always so pumped. The only way it could have been better is if MJ could have joined us on the water as well as at Club O, and if Cynthia would have made us a bundt cake! After extensive research on Wikipedia I have discovered that November 15 is national bundt cake day - mark your calendars! (Had to be there.)

I am sure I will be going up again a few more times this fall to enjoy the steady fall winds and changing colors. I will let you know when. I also have to get out of my bubble and kite Millie one of these weekends. And if the wind is not blowing, there is always mtn bike riding!

Ed

[Debbie]

Nice jumps in the photos guys but I especially like the self portrait of Tighe's nicely manicured toenails.

[Jeff G]

Thanks Ed, Cynthia and Steve. You really know how to make strangers feel welcome. What a wonderful spot to spend the weekend. Good company, good food and wind. What more could a person want. And thanks Tighe for the early morning weather analysis. Without your encouragement I might have stayed home. It was great seeing everybody honing there skills. But Tighe was undoubtedly the star this weekend. Long smooth jumps with perfect landings, effortless rolls and frontroll transitions. It's so fun to watch Tighe and his 14TD. They're one with the wind. This is why I kite. Thanks all.

[Tighe]

wow, thanks Jeff. Nothing like getting in the groove. Fun to share it with everyone. Sorry if I was in my own zone and lost track of the world around me ...and may have done some less than safe things.

the memories linger.

thanks again for the kudos