Random Morning Thoughts
I’m not a big fan of sarcasm. I know, that’s a sacrilege in this part of the country. But it’s not my thing – Sarcasm is used out of fear of speaking the truth, or it’s used to avoid leaving the speaker open to criticism. Often, sarcasm is downright hurtful to the recipient. I was out the other night, and someone made a sarcastic comment to me about a big and positive change in my life. Without thinking, I looked him in the eyes, smiled, and gently said, “Hey, are you meaning to congratulate me on (insert large and positive decision).” I don’t know where that response came from, but I’m rolling with it from now on. I’ll be interpreting all sarcastic comments for their true meaning, and repeating that meaning back to the speaker. This should be interesting… =)
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Tomorrow’s forecast status:
Thank you Henry H. for tomorrow’s forecast.
And thanks to all of you for using my forecast!
| Your favorite beach | Dawn Patrol |
9am- 11:30a |
11:30a- 3pm |
3pm- dusk |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster’s Rocks | good | day | to tan | this way. |
|
| Steven’s Locks | 8-12 | 13-16 | 20-24 | 20-24 | |
| Hatchery/White Salmon Sandbar (minus a few for Hood River) | 23-26 | 23-26 | 20-24 | 20-24 | |
| Doug’s, etc. | 15-18 | 18-22 | 20-24 | 20-24 | |
| Rufus, etc. | 13-16 | 16-20 | 16-20 | 16-20 | |
| Roosevelt, etc. | 13-16 | 13-16 | 13-16 | 13-16 | |
Gorge Wind
Yesterday’s windsurfing session started off cloudy, so there weren’t any rainbows to be seen. But once the sun came out, I saw lots of rainbows and unicorns, and even got trampled in the unicorn stampede once or twice. I also saw Stu Hill. I guess if you’re at the beach with Temira and Stu, you’re at the right beach. All we needed to confirm that we were correct was Mike Godsey and George McLean. And Bart. That would have been fantastic.
There won’t be as many unicorns today, as they need a lot of wind and a lot of current to keep fed. Just the hardy few will stick around. We’ll see westerlies at 23-26 this morning, strongest from HR to Mosier, picking up at Stevenson late morning and filling in at Lyle/Doug’s/Rowena this afternoon. Models do suggest the wind will fade a bit as Portland heats up, so let’s call it 20-24 for much of the day.
If you are on the water between Cascade Locks and Hood River today, please watch out for the little sailboats. Today is the Laser Gorge Blowout, and the last thing those skippers need is us getting in the way of their race. So, give them the right of way and give them a holler, because piloting a Laser in this much wind and swell is not an easy task.
Things change tomorrow, as we move into southerly flow with an afternoon weather disturbance. Expect 8-12 early from Stevenson to Hood River, picking up to gusty 17-21 late afternoon from Stevenson to Mosier, and then filling in at Rowena, etc., late. Saturday looks like 8-13 early, a lull midday, and 8-13 in the afternoon. I’m not liking the looks of Sunday: light wind (for wakeboarding, SUP, fishing, spraying cherries) early, followed by I’m-not-sure-what in the afternoon as an upper level low moves inland, likely triggering t-storms, but maybe not, because the models aren’t agreeing on whether this will happen or not.
Advertising Worth Reading
Big Winds’ Women’s Clinics and Ladies Night
Big Winds offers windsurfing lessons, clinics and camps for all levels and ages. WOMEN, here’s your chance to take it to the next level with Big Winds two-day Women’s Clinics, with the awesome instructor Heidi Chappel. July 12-13 or August 2-3, meet at the shop and caravan to the ideal sailing spot that day. For more info, visit the website. Register by phoning 888-509-4210 or email rentals@bigwinds.com. Don’t forget that Tuesday is ladies night at Big Winds, with swag and raffles and snacks.
Gorge Weather
Today looks like a really pleasant day, the last of the pleasant days we’ll see for a while, unless you, like me, get up really f’ing early, and even then, it’s going to be warm and muggy early in the day. If you do not own a fan or an air conditioning unit, I suggest you purchase one today.
Temps will be in the low 60’s this morning, climbing to the mid-80’s this afternoon with a nice west breeze. No chance of rainbows. Slight chance of a pretty sunset as we move into humid south flow.
There’s a decent chance of a pretty sunrise Friday morning. Temps will be in the low 60’s early and low 90’s in the afternoon, and it will be muggy. Saturday night and Sunday are when you’ll be begging for a fan. Humidity jumps into the “muggy” range, and temps won’t cool off all that much at night. We’ll see temps in the upper 60’s Saturday morning, climbing to the mid 90’s in the afternoon. Sunday looks even hotter: temps in the low 70’s early and upper 90’s, nearing 100, in the afternoon. And muggy. Did I mention the humidity?
On the bright side, the south flow bringing the humidity will give rise to lots of scattered clouds starting Friday night and continuing through Sunday, setting us up for pretty sunsets and sunrises and a slight chance of rainbows. Sunrise is at 5:25, and sunset is at 8:55.
Road and Mountain Biking
Boulder Lakes trail is open and clear. There are 15 downed trees on Gunsight. That’s it. All our local trails are now clear of snow. If you plan on riding over the next four days, either on the road or in the mountains, do it early, because it’s going to be hot and humid starting this afternoon. Something else to keep in mind: there’s thunderstorm potential tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Be aware if you are headed to the mountains.
The Clymb: free membership. Cheap gear.
Temira approves. Click to join.
River Levels
The White Salmon is at 2.75′. The Klickitat is at 1090cfs. The John Day dam is putting out 155kcfs and The Dalles dam is reading 156-176kcfs. Columbia river temp is 66 degrees at The Dalles Dam.
Events – email me if I’ve missed any outdoor-related events
For events this evening, it’s the weekly Post n’ Pint bike ride leaving Dirty Fingers at 5:30 – mountain biking and beer, with Tecate instead of Rainier on tap this week. If slower and less testo sounds better, join the women’s bike ride at The Dalles City Cyclery at 5:30. There’s pickup touch rugby at Henkle Middle School at 3:30, and there’s free community yoga at 6:30 at Yoga Samadhi in White Salmon.
Starting tomorrow, it’s the Laser sailboats masters championships in Cascade Locks and Kiteboarding for Cancer in Hood River. If you want to help out, drop some cookies off at Kiteboarding for Cancer, or just come to the Event Site and enjoy the bands.
If you’re into sunrises and sunsets, we should see good ones starting Friday night as thunderstorm potential and clouds increase. Cross your fingers for no rain and no lighting, because there are cherries on the trees and lots of dry fuel in the forests.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira
