Travel – Page 4

by BABA News - May 10, 2013

Defi Diva – That’s What Friends Are For

by Amber aka Defi Diva

“Intimidated” is the word that best describes how I felt the few weeks before I left. Here I was going half way around the earth… ok, I exaggerate, it was only one quarter of the way, but it seemed a lot farther. It’s FRANCE!!! after all! There were so many things that could go wrong. I kept telling myself, “just go with the flow”. If it falls apart, no big deal, it’s not the end of the world. But lets be serious, who was ever calmed by such platonic blither! My gear could be destroyed in transit, my shoulder could rip off at any moment, and my plane could crash in the ocean and I would be eaten by sharks. (I hate sharks…) PLENTY COULD GO WRONG!!!

by BABA News - May 9, 2013

Defi Diva – Strategic Planning

by Amber K

First things first, there is this whole thing about actually registering for the race. Half the battle is actually finding the registration site. Mind you this is not a small task. First, it doesn’t come up on a Google search very well. Second, you have to find it in French. (Et, je ne parle pas francais! – ok, so I had it in Second Grade…but that doesn’t count when you are ..er… over 29.) Third, you have to be patient. The race announcements don’t actually start showing up on the web site until early in the year (January-ish). The only way I actually found the race dates last fall was by poking around in previous year’s race newsletter and they had a “We’ll see you next year on May 8th!” sort of announcement. Which I was lucky to find.

Not wanting to dally my boss was duly notified and a leave request was submitted in October for the dates. (oh, and then I slipped in the BABA Spring trip leave request a few weeks later when he had forgotten about already having approved the Defi leave.) Risky! Considering, they were back to back, but I learned a thing or two in Air War College about “Strategic Planning”. At least I finally got to put some of that mind numbing reading to use!

by BABA News - May 8, 2013

Defi Diva – In the Beginning

by Amber K

The first of a couple, or perhaps a few, but definitely not more than a some.

Everyone seems to want to hear about this little adventure I’m on. So while I don’t “blog” or “facebook” (yes, little Johnny, that is right I don’t have a facebook account…nor do I want one) I figured I would do this the story the “old fashioned way”… gasp! EMAIL… well ok, so maybe in real live print would be even better, but I’m having problems finding groceries so post offices are right out for the moment. Besides I don’t think I have enough euros to post a potential demi-tome to all of BABA’s members…(“Did she say demi-tome, Alice?!” yup break out the wine and reading glasses, I’m sure this will be excellent evening pre-bed read.)

by beckman12 - May 6, 2013

My Visit To the Texas Coast and Windsurfing at Bird Island Basin and Rockport

In early April, I windsurfed Bird Island Basin on the Laguna Madre, North Padre Island, 10 miles south of Corpus Christi, TX. I also took a jibing lesson from Randy at Worldwinds Windsurfing. I have windsurfed here several times. I have dealt with Don, Angela, and Randy at Worldwinds. They have a homey hut shop next to the water. I told Randy, “When I get that carving jibe, I’m going to call you.” It’s all in the head, the procedure, the feet moves, the hand moves, the sail flip. I can feel it coming soon. Every minute on the water is a good minute. The Laguna is a hyper saline lagoon, so when you get a gulp, you feel like you have just gargled with super strength salt water. So keep your mouth closed as you go down! It is a beautiful place, and Worldwinds has great equipment to rent.

by rogerfitzgerald - April 29, 2013

Avon Sailing 2013

Early April in Avon was windy once again, with sailing six out of seven days, including three days on 4.7’s. The week started off with 4.7 winds on Saturday when we all arrived at Island Thunder at about noon and wasted no time getting on the water. Saturday was cool with 5/3 suits and drysuits worn by most, after the light wind SUP/hike/rest day on Sunday the wind shifted to the Southwest for Monday through Thursday. Many sailors wore shorties and there was even one refugee from Canada spotted on Friday sailing in her bikini bottom with a wetsuit top. I suppose 62 degree water feels warm when you have driven from snowy Canada. Peak SW winds were Wednesday afternoon with the 4.7 and small kites (8 and 9 meters) getting a workout. Friday started with some wind and mid-day rain, some of the more eager sailors were out on 6.5’s and 7’s in the morning, but in our house we waited for the afternoon clearing. We started on big kites and 6.5/5.9 as the rain moved out. By the time the wind built into the evening we ended on 4.7’s once again, a perfect end to a great week. Saturday morning was windy from the NE but we packed up and moved out fairly early. This is at least the seventh consecutive year of five or more sailing days in early April. Part of that is just good luck but it also seems to be a time when the weather patterns are changing and the result is lots of wind. There are always plenty of empty houses available that time of year. There were several Island Creek houses available so we used the extra driveways for parking since Island Thunder has limited spots. Ocean Air and all the shops were open, traffic was light, and there were always some kiters and sailors on the water but never a crowd.