Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Parade of Lights
Father's Day Weekend at El Mirage
More than 50 landyachts participated in the June 15th and 16th Annual Father's day event. It was quite a showing and the weather could not have been better. We had a bit of a boost courtesy of Mike Blanchard from the Edwards AFB, Outdoor Recreation unit. ODR sponsored two batches of "newbies" with their fleet and they proved to be an amiable bunch.
Other newcomers included Ron, Lisa, and Gabriel from Littlerock, and their guest... the AAA tow truck driver. Apparently Ron's Little White Jeep took offense at the desert dust and refused to start. The tow truck driver was a real trooper and located Ron on the lakebed like a bee to a flower. We hope to see them all again, but without AAA.
Wayne Maulden put in another appearance, this time with his sister, Lilly, and her husband, Ed Swanson. The Swansons are long-time personal friends, whom we have not seen for quite some time. Unfortunately they left before Wayne realized we had arrived. Oh well. When Wayne did find me on Sunday morning I was a bit pre-occupied with an ash problem. More on that later.
The Saturday sailing started with light air, and gave many of the newcomers an opportunity to gain some confidence. As the day progressed the wind filled in nicely and they were soon handling the boats with ease. The motorized traffic was light, so there was little interference on the lake. As the sun dropped into the western sky the barbecues came out and dinners were started. In Camp Anthonio that means Dutch Oven time. Harvey mixed up a carrot cake in one oven and some sort of apple spice cake in the other. After lining the pots with foil they were placed into an old wash tub. In the bottom of the tub were 8 briquettes. On to top of each Dutch Oven were 16 more. The two Dutch Ovens were stacked on top of one another. If you have never seen this kind of cooking, it is pretty impressive.
Mike Blanchard donned his chef's hat and spent some time slaving over his propane-fired burner. Wielding tools that any Food Network star would envy, Mike produced a mouth-watering version of barbecued chicken that put smiles on all the faces at Camp Anthonio. Mike has obviously been doing the outdoor cooking thing for some time.
The festivities for the Parade of Lights got underway and the wind was sufficient to actually sail until well after dark. Leo's Christmas tree was probably the Best of Show, with Harvey's Skeletor taking Most Original use of materials. Looking like something out of an abstract animation film, the Skeletor brought much laughter and many gasps of surprise. Lots of fun was had and another successful Parade of Lights was brought to an end as the last of the wind died out.
With Harvey's cakes consumed, and Lisa trundled off to Apple Korn slumber. My "neighbors" for the evening were some of the EAFB newbies, Adam and Hanna, and Robbie and Vanessa. I spent a bit of time getting to know them, and learning about their work, and what brought them to our little part of the world. Sammie, Hannah's beagle, even enjoyed the fun. Finally it was time to turn in and I climbed into my RV for some welcome rest. There is something incredibly restorative about a night in the desert air... as long as you are not sleeping on the hard ground.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... As most of our members know, we lost a dear friend this year. Steve Brown suffered a fatal heart attack while standing in line at the WaMu bank in Hawthorne. Unfortunately none of his friends or family were aware of this and Steve nearly ended up in the County's Pauper's field. Thanks to Bill Robertson, his family was notified just in time for them to claim the body and avoid burial as an unknown. Due to wet weather conditions in December, and scheduling conflicts with Steve's Mom, we had to spread his ashes at the 2nd best spot we could find. While this made things work for the moment, it just didn't set right for everyone else. So...
A few days after the spreading ceremony I visited the site. Steve was still there, spread in a semi-circle of "ash". I just couldn't help myself. Knowing that Steve would really have wanted to be closer to "home", I swept him up and placed him in a plastic baggie. After a dry-run sometime Saturday night, courtesy of Sammy the Wonder Beagle, Steve was gathered up, once again, and this time Harvey did the official honors. Steve is now where he should be, close at hand, amongst his friends.
I awoke to the usual sounds of morning at El Mirage... gyrocopters, motorcyles, and ultralight aircraft. A generous breakfast was prepared by Robbie and shared with his EAFB buddies and yours truly. As the breeze started up Mike Blanchard gave his safety briefing to the next batch of EAFB newbies and another day of sailing got off to a good start.
Thanks to all who came out, and we hope you come back soon.
Michael
US 777
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Wet Sailors learn to do it Dry!
June 7th - Hosting the San Fernando Yacht Club
Today provided a several of the SFYC members a look at the drier side of sailing. Pictured at the left with their "Coach", Duncan Harrison, are eight happy, but tired Landsailing converts. The wind was remarkably cooperative. The morning and early afternoon saw typical "sucker" wind, which gave everyone time to learn the ropes. Of course, this always makes everyone nervous, since the off-shore condition makes wind reliability uncertain. Not to worry, this gave the SFYC members time to fire up the barbie and present a meal of roasted corn, beans, and barbcued beef for everyone.
Late in the afternoon the wind filled in and the "wet" sailors got full measure. Young and old alike, they took ride-after-ride through Sailor's Bay, around the windsock, and out onto the lake. Remembering their morning training, they were careful not to sail out farther than they wanted to walk back. As sundown approached they packed up their barbie, helped take down the boats, and headed off into the sunset with large smiles on their faces.
Another first for the day came from Ron, Liz, and Gabriel, new members from Littlerock who finally hooked up with the club for the first time today. They are sailing a beautiful older Manta with gold anodized parts and a Rainbow sail panel. You sharp-eyed sailers know that they have a real classic Manta. How cool is that? They hope to be back for the Parade of Lights.
Many thanks to those Wind Wizards who graciously gave up their boats for the SFYC members to use; Charley, Duncan, and Lynn.
I think we will be seeing our converts again, before too long.
Speaking of which... The Father's Day weekend event is just around the corner. On June 14 and 15 we will hold our annual event with the Parade of Lights taking place on Saturday evening.
Michael
US 777
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Hot Off The Press... 2008 Nationals
Under the Heading of, "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..." I submit this completely truthful and unbiased report of the 32nd Annual Running of the Bull, otherwise known as The Nationals.
For those not in attendance some of the references may need interpretation. Photos would be good, but it is harder to protect the guilty that way. Lisa Robertson has already published a couple of her shots, demonstrating the incendiary nature of mankind as well as a "line-up" photo of possible suspects.
The Nationals has been the evolutionary work product of Nord Embroden and friends for many years. My own participation, a mere half-dozen or so, has revealed a strongly family-oriented flight of fantasy aimed at having a good time while recovering from the day's racing activities with a BBQ, a "communal" tent environment, mystery, intrigue, valuable cash prizes, and freedom from international tax tariffs.
This year topped the mark. Although that seems impossible, given some of the past events. How could Nord create anything more surprising than the memorable Murder Mystery Theater, complete with a visit from the coroner? Or what about the "Night of the Coconuts" and the exotic dancing provided by your truly? Well, sometimes people are the most creative when left to themselves... which is exactly what happened.
In an outing straight out of Dante's Inferno, the Embroden family suffered wind, rain, hail, a visit from the Exxon Valdiz (right in their own driveway!), a flat tire, and a runaway cruise control that threatened to send the "new" motorhome into hyper-drive. The end result was that the band members showed up well before any sign of Nord and the Nordettes. Any mortal man would have called it quits and stayed home, but not the Nordster. Oh no, he LOVES punishment!!
Meanwhile, back at the lake... The wind was too light for much of a regatta. The Mantas running 17" aircraft tires at 120 psi did well, but those of us running stock boats were left behind.
In the absence of steady wind the intrepid landsailers were left to their own devices. Out came the alternative toys, you know, the RC stuff. First the aircraft made their debut. All went well until an in-flight catastrophic wing failure grounded (HARD) one plane. An unwitting control-selection doomed the second ship to craterville. Both were later offered up to the gods of wind and sun as token appeasement. I have seen incense burning before, but this was a new twist.
The RC cars were next. They were thought to be safe, since the don't usually leave the ground. Skilled driving was demonstrated by Bo and Bill. An unnamed novice also tried his hand, but seemed to have some 3-D issues. He kept running into the pylon cone.
Everyone else just sort of piddled along. At least until the band started arriving. With the band came enough wind to start giving them a demo of why it is that we come all the way out into the desert. ...to be far from medical aid, apparently. With the wind filling in at a good 15 to 20 mph the landyachts were busy zipping hither and yon. ...or maybe it was hither and "yawn", as in not paying enough attention to what your student pilot is doing.
Startled from my reverie by the fast approach of another boat, all I could manage was to cry out, "turn right. turn right!!!" It almost worked. Oh well, some of my ribs were almost healed from February's car crash. What's a few more ribs, anyway? Fortunately the injuries were limited, as was my breathing for a bit, but now everything is mending nicely.
Dorita showed up about that time (it is ALWAYS nice to have a Nurse around) and proclaimed my injuries as probably survivable. Then she set to work completing the BBQ banquet and waiting expectantly for her husband and children to arrive.
As the Sunday sun settled slowly into the western sky and the clock was just seconds from marking 8 PM (and nearly separating a bettor from his winnings) Nord stepped from his mobile domicile and the Nationals officially began. On Sunday???
Yes, it's true, this was the 1st annual Nord-less Nationals. Celebrated by me, Bandage-beak Bill Robertson, Limping Lisa Robertson, Bo, Mike, and others personally impacted by the weekend as the "Crashionals."
The celebration culminated in BBQ chicken, beef, baked potatoes, etc. all devoured just in time for the Educators to strike up the music and treat everyone to their 20th annual rendition of such hits as The Cat Came Back.
I would personally like to thank Nord and Dorita for the Herculean effort that they put out every year. This year was no different. Equipment failures aside, there was no less work to this event than for any in the past. Unfortunately their efforts were completely overshadowed by circumstance. Thanks, anyway!!! I would also like to thank all those who helped me re-wire my motorhome (twice!). Larry (and his father's advice) was absolutely essential to the repairs. The packing assistance the next morning is the only thing that stood between me and abandonment. Were it not for Harvey, Larry, Peter, Mike, Bo and the rest, Midnight would have been nothing but another aim-point for China Lake's Top Gun fighter-bombers on Tuesday morning.
Thanks for the many emails and phone calls checking on my welfare. It hurts a bit now and again, but not as much as it would if I didn't have all of you for friends.
Did anyone find the missing worm?
See you on the lakebed.
Michael
US 777
For those not in attendance some of the references may need interpretation. Photos would be good, but it is harder to protect the guilty that way. Lisa Robertson has already published a couple of her shots, demonstrating the incendiary nature of mankind as well as a "line-up" photo of possible suspects.
The Nationals has been the evolutionary work product of Nord Embroden and friends for many years. My own participation, a mere half-dozen or so, has revealed a strongly family-oriented flight of fantasy aimed at having a good time while recovering from the day's racing activities with a BBQ, a "communal" tent environment, mystery, intrigue, valuable cash prizes, and freedom from international tax tariffs.
This year topped the mark. Although that seems impossible, given some of the past events. How could Nord create anything more surprising than the memorable Murder Mystery Theater, complete with a visit from the coroner? Or what about the "Night of the Coconuts" and the exotic dancing provided by your truly? Well, sometimes people are the most creative when left to themselves... which is exactly what happened.
In an outing straight out of Dante's Inferno, the Embroden family suffered wind, rain, hail, a visit from the Exxon Valdiz (right in their own driveway!), a flat tire, and a runaway cruise control that threatened to send the "new" motorhome into hyper-drive. The end result was that the band members showed up well before any sign of Nord and the Nordettes. Any mortal man would have called it quits and stayed home, but not the Nordster. Oh no, he LOVES punishment!!
Meanwhile, back at the lake... The wind was too light for much of a regatta. The Mantas running 17" aircraft tires at 120 psi did well, but those of us running stock boats were left behind.
In the absence of steady wind the intrepid landsailers were left to their own devices. Out came the alternative toys, you know, the RC stuff. First the aircraft made their debut. All went well until an in-flight catastrophic wing failure grounded (HARD) one plane. An unwitting control-selection doomed the second ship to craterville. Both were later offered up to the gods of wind and sun as token appeasement. I have seen incense burning before, but this was a new twist.
The RC cars were next. They were thought to be safe, since the don't usually leave the ground. Skilled driving was demonstrated by Bo and Bill. An unnamed novice also tried his hand, but seemed to have some 3-D issues. He kept running into the pylon cone.
Everyone else just sort of piddled along. At least until the band started arriving. With the band came enough wind to start giving them a demo of why it is that we come all the way out into the desert. ...to be far from medical aid, apparently. With the wind filling in at a good 15 to 20 mph the landyachts were busy zipping hither and yon. ...or maybe it was hither and "yawn", as in not paying enough attention to what your student pilot is doing.
Startled from my reverie by the fast approach of another boat, all I could manage was to cry out, "turn right. turn right!!!" It almost worked. Oh well, some of my ribs were almost healed from February's car crash. What's a few more ribs, anyway? Fortunately the injuries were limited, as was my breathing for a bit, but now everything is mending nicely.
Dorita showed up about that time (it is ALWAYS nice to have a Nurse around) and proclaimed my injuries as probably survivable. Then she set to work completing the BBQ banquet and waiting expectantly for her husband and children to arrive.
As the Sunday sun settled slowly into the western sky and the clock was just seconds from marking 8 PM (and nearly separating a bettor from his winnings) Nord stepped from his mobile domicile and the Nationals officially began. On Sunday???
Yes, it's true, this was the 1st annual Nord-less Nationals. Celebrated by me, Bandage-beak Bill Robertson, Limping Lisa Robertson, Bo, Mike, and others personally impacted by the weekend as the "Crashionals."
The celebration culminated in BBQ chicken, beef, baked potatoes, etc. all devoured just in time for the Educators to strike up the music and treat everyone to their 20th annual rendition of such hits as The Cat Came Back.
I would personally like to thank Nord and Dorita for the Herculean effort that they put out every year. This year was no different. Equipment failures aside, there was no less work to this event than for any in the past. Unfortunately their efforts were completely overshadowed by circumstance. Thanks, anyway!!! I would also like to thank all those who helped me re-wire my motorhome (twice!). Larry (and his father's advice) was absolutely essential to the repairs. The packing assistance the next morning is the only thing that stood between me and abandonment. Were it not for Harvey, Larry, Peter, Mike, Bo and the rest, Midnight would have been nothing but another aim-point for China Lake's Top Gun fighter-bombers on Tuesday morning.
Thanks for the many emails and phone calls checking on my welfare. It hurts a bit now and again, but not as much as it would if I didn't have all of you for friends.
Did anyone find the missing worm?
See you on the lakebed.
Michael
US 777
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
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