Thursday, February 02, 2006

North Shore Neverland

Wow, what a great day! You just never know with these shearline forecasts. The signs were promising, but for a few hours after we arrived it looked like it would just be too strong and rainy. It was gusting up to 30 mph on the beach and the rain was sideways. We were all ready to call it a day, but then Mad Dog dug in his heels and swore it was worth waiting for, so we stuck around for a few more hours.

Then to our delight the shearline passed right by, the sky got all nice and blue, and the wind filled in just as sweet as could be. Marathon Mark sprinkled pixie dust on us all and we hiked up the hill with songs in our hearts.

Russell and Sandy launched first, and dazzled us with some slick new acro moves performed right there in front of launch. If only the Red Bull talent scouts were there to see that!

Then Bob wheeled Nightshift and McStalker up the hill in a wheelbarrow, and got them launched off of there without a hitch. Man, were those guys happy. And what a good thing Bob was there with his wheelbarrow - I'm glad I thought to call him this time!

Leo and Don and Ray decided to try a triple tandem on Ray's Funky, which I thought was a really cool idea, and they pulled it off with style and made it look easy.

Finally I launched into a perfect cycle and took a thermal all the way to Haleiwa and back - my longest flight ever from there!

And after all that, when we thought it just couldn't get any better, Doug showed up, not on launch, but in the air, apparently having flown over all the way from Nanakuli - he heard us on the radio and figured it was worth a try for a new XC route.

Then I woke up, started the car and drove back home in the pouring rain. You just never know with these shearline forecasts.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Alex, that's great. I thought I was stuck working all day, but when Marathon gets out that "pixie dust" and starts throwing it around you never know WHERE you'll end up; doing syncro acro right in front of launch? Piece of cake! Hey Marathon, gimme some more of that dust. Maybe this time I'll make it out to the lighthouse....

JeffMc said...

Wow - I knew Bob was a cool guy, but bringing me up in a wheel barrow?! Well, I just don't know what to say! And I don't know how he did it either... Especially after being planted on my rear for the past five weeks. You don't want to know what 5 weeks of internet and beer do to one's figure... "Holy jowls, FATman! QUICK! ...to the Elliptical machine!" (cue the Batman theme)

Good one Alex! :)

Alex said...

You guys crack me up! This article was really just a sad attempt at tricking Fireman Dave into thinking we called it right today, at least for a moment. But now I'm laughing out loud reading your comments. Thanks. See you all Saturday if not before.

Anonymous said...

I had the hook in my mouth all the way to the point where Russ and Sandy were doing acro. Thanks Alex. Anybody want a wheelbarrow ride?

Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous (Bob), should June and I be insulted? Just because YOU can do wingovers 'n stuff....

firedave said...

Alex, You had me all the way to the part where you said you flew to Haleiwa and back, because I knew you wouldn't have the balls to cross Waimea Bay.
I was both happy and unhappy that you didn't get to fly, if you can understand what I mean. Next time!