Great pictures Dean, especially since I'm in some of them
. Seriously, these are sweet. Thanks!
The day was such a treat. It was amazingly warm. Air temps were mid 60s. The water was warmer than that. It really felt like it the water was close to 70. I kited in a 3-2.
It was easier than usual to get out going South because the wind was a little more to the north than usual and not straight on to the beach. It made carving on to a wave on my 'good' side a bit hard, so eventually I realized that this is a prefect day to work on my 'bad' side. That worked great.
The logs and stuff floating around (remnants of the Duluth flash flood) was a little spooky. I had one scary turn of events when I got on a wave and came in faster than the kite was able to drift. The lines when so slack that they dropped on to the water and I was not able to turn fast enough to avoid surfing into then. It all happened so fast. Anyhow I jumped off the board to the side as my feet were crossing on to them, but one leg landed inside the snaking lines. The kite was dropping, but could also power up when it hits the water and gets pushed by a wave - which is what happened, but I got my leg out as the lines started to tension. Whew! Soon the kite was up and life was good again. I've never had that happen.
After 2 1/2 hours my legs were jello. On the beach I watched a few guys playing on the little shore break. I never do that. I should. It looked fun and even relaxing.
On thing that was so enchanting yesterday as the sun dipped lower and when I'd be coming in on a wave toward it was to see the arcs of the broad troughs stretched out from the peak I'm on to the next and the one beyond all glistening and so powerful in the sun, roaring in - and I get to play with them!!! What a gift. It was so wonderful, peaceful, dangerous, and powerful all at the same time. Some times I would just drop my bar and and kite with my arms outstretched in praise as I glided in with these beasts... but also some times soon followed by the need to tuck my tail and run to avoid the next angry bull coming my way. I can't wait to do it again.