Last Weekend (Timberline and The Gorge)

It's the heart of the windsurfing season and it's been a near epic with a large swell and cooperative wind. There is some serious hydrolics on the Columbia due to the heavy winter experienced in this watershed. The consistant westerlies blow upstream and form swells that can run from above Swell City, through Inbetweens and Cheap, all the way down below the Hatchery (any other sailors out there?)
We motorhomed from Bend to Timberline last Friday, arriving pretty late ("couch time") but the snow was still good. My eldest son, who works for High Cascade, said "come up, it's sick, there's tons of snow". No sh_t Sherlock, you can ride to the parking lot and it's almost August. We started at 10:30 and rode the summer corn 'till closing time at 1:30. The racer lanes are salted and good late, but the more natural lanes to the skiers right were my favorites early on. Go up there if you can.
After a bacon cheeseburger BBQ in the lot, it was time to drive to HR to get in some water time. This is why living in the PNW shames all other places to live, and I know you guys hate my ranting, so I'll shut up and be humble again.
It's Friday afternoon and the wind blows out east. Rufus was 4.7, not great by Gorge standards, but the swell this summer is solid. The next morning (and the next), Swell City on the Washington State side of the river serves up some fun summer action. My 3.7 and 4.2 sails get used the most. Besides Maui, this is the best place in the world to sail or kite. You can't ski much in Hawaii.
During the off hours we go biking. The days are long and you don't want to start cocktailing too early!

Nice! =D>

Awesome!

I head to the PNW on Tuesday. I have a windsurf lesson with Brian scheduled for Weds morning. Maybe I should move it to the afternoon and get in some skiing. I wasn't planning on skiing this year because we have a very busy week with family visits and a wedding on the Olympic Peninsula. And carrying ski gear is a big PITA as is renting. We did it last year and it was wonderful and fun, but my friends/family won't be skiing and going alone just isn't as fun.

Schubwa...if you are going to ski again, either Weds, Thurs (Aug 6,7) and maybe have some gear I can borrow, I would consider bringing my ski boots. But I have a feeling that this window is too small and I will just take advantage of Hood River and get in some much needed windsurf. Also, if you are windsurfing, I would love to join you. Sailing in those kind of winds and swells may be over my head. This is why I'm taking a lesson while I'm there, so I can have some guidance as to where to go and hopefully to improve my skills. The wind here is so variable it is difficult to practice enough to show improvement.

Friday we leave for the Olympic Peninsula where we'll spend 2 nights in Sequim, overlooking the Sound, camped near the hot tub of the mansion where the wedding will be. While there, we hope to hike to Olympic Hot Springs and do a little sightseeing. Any recommendations on "must see" sights would be welcome. Sunday and Monday we will be free of wedding activites and plan to find a nice place to camp before heading back to Vancouver, WA on Monday night to spend one more day with the family before heading home.

Trying to decide if I need to pack my hiking boots or if the hikes we might do can be done in Keen or Chaco sandals.

Schubwa, send me a pm if you have any info to share, or if you want to get together for a Full Sail Ale.

Sharon,

As for Sequim, it's located in a beautiful spot in the rain shadow on the Olympic Peninsula. I would bring my hiking boots as the Olympics are an impressive although rather wet range. You might want to check out Hurricane Ridge outside of Port Angeles for hiking as the road goes relatively high into the range there near a small ski area. Another fun adventure might be the ferry over to Victoria, BC. Rather touristy, but you'll be a tourist there so what the heck! Sequim is popular with the retired set so I don't think you'll need to pack your dancin' shoes.
I agree bringing ski gear for one morning to be a total PITA. You could bring your boots and rent skis at the WyEast Lodge. The conditions are great for summer skiing but your time might be better spent on the river getting in some sailing.
The weather forcast looks good, especially for the latter part of your Sequim time. A high pressure system is due to fill in later in the weekend with the warmest day on Tuesday. These can be wind killers in the Gorge, but it's ALWAYS windy after the heat low moves to the east of the Cascades. This should be on Wednesday or so, but that's a long ways off.
Here are some of my favorite sites for PNW weather and free wind reports:

http://www.ocs.oregonstate.edu/index.html
http://www.windonthewater.com/
http://www.temirawagonfeld.com/WindBlog/Default.aspx

Thanks for the friendly offer, but I'll have to take a rain check on the beer, maybe a Polygamy Porter next season in LLC.

Have fun!

Thanks for the links and info...I have not yet totally dismissed the idea of skiing...if I can pack all my stuff in my ski bag, then I may just do it...it may be the last time I will be able to bring my ski bag for free (because I booked in March...I can take 2 bags for free)...especially if you are forecasting low winds in the Gorge.

Where on the Oregon State website do you find the wind forecast for HR?

Go to statewide forecasts, then zone forecasts, then NW Oregon and SW Washington. They only go out a few days with the wind forecasts, so you'll have to watch. Check out the model forecast discussions for a more detailed report.
Looks like 90-95 for Wednesday, not necessarily good but it might be "hairdryer" conditions in the afternoon. It is August and we start to get hotter air blowing from the West. Keep your fingers crossed!