Down winder yesterday in the Gulf

[MK]

The downy in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday was great but wind was a little light. We left the beach house and went to the end of the road. Dorian picked us up. Started with Roger, Travis, Mike Ly, Me, Ben and Tom. Roger got downed by the lower winds about 1/2 way. Ben made it about 3/4 the way then ran out of wind. Tom made it about 7/8th's of the way before his kite hit the surf and couldn't relaunch. Mike Ly interestingly got downed very near him too. I stopped to see if Tom was going to die or simply float in then packed up. I sent Travis down to the finish line where you can see the dead end of the road signs from the Gulf, and Dorian awaiting us with the pick up van. I treaded through the searing hot sand on my bare feet over the sparsely vegetative brush. Some of the brush was lively while veins and roots, added tricky stepping. The thought of a rattle snake heavy on my mind. After summiting the first dune and navigating with the kite inflated in my hand I was disappointed to see I wasn't through the worst of the hike with more hot sand and treacherous stepping to go. So, I deflated, packed up my kite and took it one thoughtful step at a time until I reached the road where I then texted Dorian. He and Travis arrived within a minute or two, very short wait. We helped Mike Ly and Tom get packed up and then took the long ride back into town from the dunes. Ben showed up too, Jacqueline happened to see him along side the road and gave him a ride. On the way back at access 5 we happen to catch Roger sitting alongside the rode. He was beat down from the sun and very much ready to be picked up.

Ride time was 2hrs 9min. 24.89 miles:-) Travis was the only one who made it the whole distance. Good times.

[TB0NE]

That's because I was the best kiter on the island!