Surfing the 3rd Coast

Check out the latest Surfing Trip to Galveston TX (America's 3rd Coast).  While it might not be too big, at least it's WAVES...

G-Town

Well we have arrived and as usual we "should have been here yesterday!". At least that's the story I'm getting.  It appears they had a little swell from the tropical storm in the Carribean. Not what I wanted to hear!   But tomorrow I'm going out for a dawn patrol to see what's there. If all else fails, I'm pulling out the SUP.

SUP - A River Adventure

So...International Surfing Day 2012 (June 20th) was awesome, but today I finally got to use the plentiful bounty I received...in particular the GoPro2 camera for my SUP!  

This morning I took the GoPro2 and attached it to my SUP for a little show.  It was fun paddling around the Red River with this on the board.  The only thing I didn't like was that I didn't have a big enough memory card for the camera and only got a little bit of the days events.   Good thing I started off with a little paddling and turning to catch it on video.

Then after  paddling around a little while, I decided to head South toward the Lee Davis bridge.  It was ways off and I wasn't sure I was up for the long paddle since I had some issues yesterday.  In fact, I think I may have broken my hand while out on Cross Lake on Saturday :(  It is still swollen a bit (okay a lot) today, but I don't want to go to the Doctor since I have a TDY in a few weeks and I have a beach trip planned in the middle of August.  No need in them putting a cast on my hand, because I won't be able to paddle out into the surf along the Galveston Seawall.

Italiano -- molto buona

La mia famiglia (mia moglie) mi ha fatto un meraviglioso Italiano pranzo di sabato! È stato divino! Abbiamo avuto caprase con prosciutto e melone.

For those who can't read Italian, here is the English text --

My family (my wife) made me a wonderful Italian lunch on Saturday! It was divine! We had caprase with ham and melon.

Again, it was simply amazing lunch.  I couldn't have asked for it to be any better -- unless we were actually in Italy!

Filling the Gap

This a.m. I decided to finally "fill the gap" on the edge of the board where the planks didn't cover. I pulled out the right tool (my table jig saw) and cut out the pieces straight away and glued them up. After the glue dries I'll do some more sanding on the board as I continue to research what I'm going to do with the rails. I thought I had it figured out...only to realize I can't find 1" cork board at Home Depot. So now I'm off to find a suitable sub!

It could end up being some glued up wood slats, but I'm still working through that.

I can't wait to get this board in the water.

International Surfing Day 2012

My fav Surf Hat...given to me by 3 Doors Down

As always, I'm looking for a reason to surf and this came through on hump day! What a needed, refreshing time out "surfing" in LA.

Who would have thunk it, but I was able to participate in this year's International Surfing Day. It's not like last year when I was at "an undisclosed location in SWA", that didn't lend itself to participating in Surf Day, but today somewhat, made up for it. \m/

Immediately after work. I jumped into the car to head home, load up and make the trek across town for a little water therapy. However, I had a late meeting and got a much later start than I expected. On my way over, I passed a co-worker on the hi-way sporting my board on top of the CRV. He followed me across town before I exited...I'm sure I'll here about it tomorrow. At least I wasn't caught "playing hooky" from work (which 3 doors down encouraged when I was closer to the beach).

Arriving for the sess...

However, the sun is staying in the sky a little while longer and therefore I was able get a "paddle" out! It was pretty calm on the water today, but a little "off shore" wind made it a little rough in spots. BUT...I like it rough since it makes me work a little hard for the enjoyment. Anyhow, it was very enjoyable tonight...

To top off my surfing, I received a little show that had me laughing :D. As I paddle in for the evening, I noticed a local fella was dropping off the spousal unit at the pier so that she could back the truck and trailer into the water and load the boat. It started out all fine and I was thoroughly impressed that this little lady was all gang-busters to perform this most difficult task. However, it only took ONE attempt at backing and the show had begun. She gave it a go -- one, twice, three times a lady --- with no success. She just couldn't get the trailer going in the right direction. So a few other fellas on the shore went over to offer assistance, but she refused their offers while the male spousal unit in the boat began to get frustrated and head in to tie off the boat and back the trailer himself. However, with a little "coaching" from one of the fellas on the shore, she backed it up into the water as her man arrived at the truck door. Whew...tragedy averted.

It was a good day...surfing and a show!!!

After my surf session....STOKED \m/

BTW: Tomorrow is Go Skateboarding Day...

Board Bottom

Tonight I put on the bottom of my board. A few innovative clamps and here it is! I know I'll need to do some touch up gluing, but we are getting closer.

Fini

Today was another day closer to the day a good friend moves on. But that's the way of theBlue...people move, others come and we make new friends.

GImocjam is one of those people everyone likes. From day one here in LA, he made me feel like we were friends. Now we are!

He is one funny guy. He makes everyone feel at ease and really understood what needed to be one. As we sat through countless meetings over the past year, he made interesting comments...yes, interesting is the word I will use. While sometimes I think he thought he was using his inside voice, it did keep meetings FUN :)

As my personal confidant and someone I love being around, he will be missed. Even though he reminds me that he won't be far away, just across the street, it seems like around the world.

Today, he made his fini flight and got soaked. I hope this isn't his fini flight in the AF...he needs to be in the cockpit more since his type of leadership is needed with the young flyers. But if it is, he made it flying an old workhorse for our nation. It's amazing we are still flying the Buff after 60 years...

And...just to keep things from being mundane, he decided to have an IFE on engine #1! No biggie since this lifetime aviator landed with ease and who would expect less.

GImocjam, YOU will be missed! Good thing you'll be close by!

Mondays

Whew!  I'm sure glad this day is over...  It's a MONDAY and those are always very interesting.  I'm not sure what happens over the weekend, but it seems like we have too much "extra work" on Mondays.  

Maybe it was all because we had visitors here this weekend.  That really tires me out!  I don't sleep well, I eat too much and I don't get to exercise enough.  All that and more...

So today we continued to work the exercise, but again...more work than needs to be done.  You would think we knew how to do this since we've made the trip UpNorth so many times.  However, I find it hard to believe we can't account for PEOPLE!  DiamondW has called me several times which I know he hates to do!  However, I very much appreciate him being willing to call and get things going.  So I made a few calls and we are on track.  However, I told DiamondW that if he could account for all of the people to LEAVE them UpNorth!  That will surely prove a point and get some attention!!!

Since today was interesting, I decided to end my day on the water.  So after coming home a little later than I wanted...I loaded up the SUP and headed back to the Red River for a little paddling.  It was just what I needed...some time on the water.  There is something about the H2O that is mesmerizing.  It's like my "Water Therapy"...who needs a shrink?  I tell you this, if everyone would hit the water (especially surfing) we wouldn't have so many stressed out people.  Have you ever seen a stressed out surfer...I think not!  Why do you think they aren't stressed?  Maybe it because of the H2O they find themselves surrounded by!  Life seems to just melt away when you are out on the water. 
  
Tomorrow is another day...I hope even better.

BTW:  I always ask MrsBlue if I have told her I love her today!   It's my standard question for her each and every day...  You may ask WHY I ask her this, but it's simple!  I want to ensure I tell her and show her that I love her EVERY day!  She is special and I never want to be without her.  

Have you told the one you love that you LOVE them?  If not.......do it NOW!

Board Buildup

Underside with the reinforcements for fins

ALL of those wood shavings

It's been Slooooooow going of late on the Hollow Wood Surfboard build. I know, why can't get this thing done. However, it's a labor of love building up a board that someday I hope I'll get to ride! My own ride...made with my own hands, how cool.

It has been very interesting "learning" how to do some of this wood working stuff. I thought I knew what I was doing, but lo and behold...I had some learning to be done.

It's often funny to hear MrsBlue when I'm making a mess in the garage. She doesn't like the sanding sawdust floating around. It provides a nice fine coat of "dust" on everything. Usually, I take it outside, but every once in a while, I just get at it right where it is -- in the garage.

The slow down has been because of family visits, SUPing (got to get in the water when you can) and exercises (of the government kind). I know, excuses are not what I should be providing...but it's all I have. I do put a few minutes in when I can...like last night! I couldn't sleep so around 2 a.m. I was out there trying not to make too much noise. But it was nice...just me, the night and the wood.

Isn't that PRETTY...just look at those lines....can you say FAST

The pictures attached today are recent. I've added some internal structure for the fins, just in case I decide to have removable fins vs glassing them on. As you can see, a hand plan is a good thing...just look at the wood chips all over the place. Also, the top of the board looks like some fine racing stripes. I'm sure this board will be Faaaaaaassssssssttttttt! Once I have the internals in place, I'll be ready to add the bottom skin, which going to be a piece of plywood. It'll look nice! Then it's on to the rails!

Good looking pointy nose.

Sleek and fine looking

WakeSurfing @ Cross Lake LA

This holiday weekend I tried something NEW!  Yes, something new and I've done lots of things, but this was a NEW adventure for me.


Now everyone knows that I like surfing and would do it no matter what.  In fact, I drives me a LITTLE too much...I think about it, I dream about it and I spend money on it.  However, I may have found a temporary replacement (next to SUPing).


A friend here in LA has a nice boat...yes, very nice Yamaha 23 foot 2 jet engine boat and he made places with the "guys" to go out to the lake on Monday morning, Memorial Day!  I was a little concerned about this since I haven't ever done this WakeSurfing thing, but was prepared to give it a go since it involved time on my surfboard.


So off we headed to the Cross Lake, LA around 0900 Monday morning.  Him with the boat pulled behind his big red truck and me closely following with two boards on the CRV...yes, two boards (my longboard and my SUP) since I didn't know what I was in for!  Four of us loaded up heading off to the lake.  UncleG, MiB, MrSlaughterHouse and MunnseyNeighbors.  I'm not sure we were prepared, but we were off to have some H2O fun.  We arrived at the boat launch to a very empty lake which surprised us since it was a holiday.  We launched to the boat and headed for a glassy piece of water...no luck.  It was a little choppy, but we we're going to stop us since we were going to give this WakeSurfing a go...no matter the conditions.  

So of course, I was the first guinea pig to "test" the idea.  After about 6 or 7 times of being pulled up, I was ready to let go of the handle...it didn't last too long, but still it was WakeSurfing.  Then MrSlaughterHouse gave it a go.  He was an instant surfer!!!  I mean he must have watched me closely and put them into practice immediately.  While he wouldn't let go of the rope, he had lots of slack in the rope so was essentially WakeSurfing too!  That's TWO for TWO!!!

Now it was time for the MunnseyNeighbor to give it a go!  It wasn't as pretty, but he did stand up on the board and rode the wave.  Good going.

Finally, UncleG gave it a try.  Like he said when he went, WakeBoarding is more his style...not moving feet!  Way to go, you gave it a go!!!!  So the final count was Two for Four (50%) did some WakeSurfing on day 1.


Realize before you try to watch the video below, it's a BIG file (14MB).  So you may want to save it and watch it offline!  While it's nothing special, it is me WakeSurfing for the first time.  It only took a few times to get me up and riding without the handle.  Got to say...Lovin' It!!!!

Mahalo to theSlaughterHouse Family!!!!  Love the boat and it was awesome WakeSurfing with you!


Bucket list now has one less thing on it!

SUPer time...coming soon

I did it!  Yes, I really did it!  I really can't believe I did it, but I did!  If you are asking yourself what I did, you too will be surprised (maybe).

I have finally made the plunge into the SUP world.  I was over in Grapevine, Texas a few weeks ago and took a test ride on a few of the Jimmy Styks SUPs.   I thought for sure I was going to buying a Race SUP, but after taking a test ride on the 11'6", 12'6" and the 12'6" Race board only to realize I liked the Mach III the MOST...

Ark-La-Tex Military Ball

What a night at the ball!!!!

Last night we had the Ark-La-Tex Military Ball and all things went off without a hitch.

It was A LOT of fun because of our neighbors!!! We weren't there just handing out, but we spent a little time with our FotES (That's Friends on the East Side). Yes, the night was so fun just hanging out with the FotES...With them being there it would have been boring. I only wish we could have sat at the same table with them, but we had to sit at the normal table. Not that this wasn't nice, but would have been very different had we been sitting with the FotES.

We stayed the night at Sam's Town and slept in! Very good night and glad we went!!!

These photos are of the night. BTW: the drummer is LtGen Bob Elder!!!! WOW...what a sight.

Ooops...Houston, we have a problem

It doesn't make me happy when I "fix" the nose of my board only later to screw it up again.

Look at these photos from the underside at the nose...that's NOT the way it's suppose to look.

So what now??? I had to "unglue" that area and get it back to a somewhat normal shape. It came apart okay and I "re-glued" it before the trip to the Ark-La-Tex Military Ball.

However the deck is starting to take some shape and beginning to look like a board. A few more planks later today now that the "frame work" is back to a normal shape.

Can't wait until I get the decks on and can start the rail work. FUN FUN Fun. \m/

1st Plank

After the weekend in MO, I have finally made a little progress. While home, I discussed my need for some thinly cut planks with FiL (Father-in-Law) and he had the answer...good thing!

I had the idea to use the 8" table saw in the garage, but he had a better idea. He wanted to go to the Construction Workshop where they had ALL of the cool tools including a LARGE table saw with a table to handle the 8 foot boards.

With a initial pass of the 1st board, we found we had a winner and cut the rest. Since I'm not too good at determining Board Feet, I guessed and have a few extra pieces of planks! In particular of the 8 feet length.

However, I was a little worried while in the shop since FiL was running the saw and he's 80 years old! Also, he "shakes" a little and I didn't want his hands near the spinning blade. Also, theBud was there "assisting". He too kept putting his hands too close to the spinning blade and it worried me. It I brought either of them back with one less digit, I would be catching it for life. I know 'lilBlue would kill me if theBud didn't have all of his fingers...but I could use that as a scare tactic to him if he ever hurts 'lilBlue!

However, everyone came home all safe with no blood shed!!!!

Now, after arriving back in LA, I decided to lay the 1st plank! It looks coolio!!!!

Can't wait until they are all attached :)

Straight down the spar goes the 1st plank

Plastic wrap does the trick as a glue clamp

Here's the tail



A little closer on the "clamp job"



AFSA and SUPing (NTX style)

Just arrived HOME after a nice long weekend in North Texas.  We headed to Sheppard AFB for the Division 610 Air Force Sergeant's Association (AFSA) conference.  It was nice to spend some time with these AFSA professionals from around the Division 610 (Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi).  

During the few days, we conducted division business by electing next year's executive council and discussing various issues and bylaws.  Additionally, they held the annual awards and we recognized some fine Airmen, NCOs and Auxillary members on their contributions to the Division over the past year.  These individuals will represent the division at the Annual AFSA PAC in Jacksonville Florida later this year.

On the drive home, we passed through Dallas Texas which has is home of SUPNTX.  I've been wanting to make a trip to DFW to take a test drive on the Jimmy Stykes SUPs which SUPNTX has.  I took out three different boards (11'6", Mach III 12'6" and the Woodpecker Race board 12'6").  The first two were really nice boards and I liked them, but the 12'6" really glided across the lake.  However, I couldn't master the race board!!!!  It was tough and I found myself in the water more than on the board.

Camera Numero Cinque

WOOOHOOOO, we are in Wichata Falls TX for the Divisional Air Force Sergeant's Association Conference and it's FUN!!!!!

Yes, here we sit in the Hotel from Hell!  What do I mean by that, well let me explain.

We arrived here a few days ago and we are already on room number 5 (Camera Numero Cinque)....yes you read that CORRECTLY...room number 5!!!!  So let me give you the run down of the room situation...

Room # 1 (302 Already Lived In) - it all started with the first room when we checked in.  We head to the 3rd floor with a room overlooking the indoor pool and jacuzzi...it looked awesome.  When we opened the door, we found that the room was "lived in"!  What does that mean????  Well, there was trash in the trash can and the room was lived in with the towel "pre used".   I guess they just wanted to make us to fill "at home"!

So we headed back down to the front desk to "request" another room.

Room # 2 (322 No A/C) - We checked in and everything seemed to be OKAY!  So we turned on the A/C and headed off for the icebreaker only to come back about 2 hours later to a HOT room...yes, HOT!  The A/C was NOT working properly and it had been on HIGH for over 2 hours.  So, here I go again, back to the front desk for them to give me Room #3 on the first night.

Upon giving me my new keys to room #3, I moved all of our baggage and clothes by myself.  MrsBlue was enjoying herself at the icebreaker.  However, when I was almost done, MrsBlue came looking for me since so many people were asking where I had disappeared to.  She kept telling them I must have received a call or something related to work!!!  No, I was just changing rooms.
Room # 3 - (355 Another A/C problem #2) - We moved into this room since it had, I repeat, HAD a funcational A/C unit which we could control.  This room had A/C but also included a little bit of some other stuff...I couldn't believe the holes in the walls and the mold under the vanity...

However, that wasn't going to last very long.  At about 0500 this morning, the A/C unit acted like our alarm clock or Rooster to notify us it was time to get up.  So I did...get up and TURN OFF the A/C.  So we decided to leave the A/C off for the day and give it a rest.  However, when we returned this afternoon after the conference, we found that the A/C would not turn back on!  You heard that right....we wore out the A/C unit in one night!  We like it cold, but one day!!!!!  How could this be happening?  So, we once again we decided to give the hotel another chance for the maintenance to FIX the issue.  We headed to dinner and some Casino time and returned a few (about 3) hours later only to find NOTHING had been done.  When I called down to the front desk, they had moved us to another room (Room #4) and left the keys in the room...however, no note, no info, no message on the room voice mail....nothing.  Only after I called the front desk did they tell me that the keys were "somewhere" in the room.   After a little "hide and seek", I located the New Room keys and we decided to do some Recon before making the move with all of the bags.  Off to Room #4 we headed...

Room # 4 - (308 Smelly room...musty for sure with an pungent odor) - It didn't take long for us to realize that Room #4 wasn't going to work.  MrsBlue thought she "smelled" something as we approached the room.  But once we opened the door, we knew this would NOT work.  So here I go again...headed to the front desk one more time.

Room #5 - (259 working A/C for now) - We arrived at around 2230 at the NEW room.  The A/C works (for now) and the room is somewhat "clean"!  At least we can take off our shoes on the carpet!  Let's hope the room is good enough for the next two nights!

So once again, the Adventures in Blue continues.

If you get a chance to stay in Wichita Falls Texas...look no further than the HoJo!!!! NOT!  Please pass it and go somewhere else!

Triangle K

What a sight to see!
Today, we are at Sheppard AFB Texas for the AFSA Divisional Conference and we decided to drive around the base. What a surprise to see a B52 with the Triangle K tail flash.
While we didn't have B52s in the 379th while I was there, they were a part of the wing during Desert Storm. So this aircraft must have been one of the BUFFs that struck fear into the Iraqi Army with loads of bombs to drop on them.
This plane had the vertical stab with the desert colors...how cool. But the Triangle K was a real treat to see.

Day 2 GTown

WooooHoooo...another day of starting the day off RIGHT!!!! Surfing :)

We woke up this morning in our hotel on the seawall of Galveston Island and low and behold the surf looked nice. A little on shore wind which turned to off shore. Also, at 59th street pier/jetty made a difference.

I started with a little bump on the northside of the jetty, but several other surfers were on the southside. It wasn't bad, but nothing special! So after a little break (it's been a little while since I surfed and the arms are spaghetti), I headed over to the other side if the pier.

Wowza, what a difference! The pier really cleaned up the bump and it was regular. With the pier and a regular swell coming in, I was in heaven...this is what retirement needs to be like! A morning walking with MrsBlue on the beach followed closely by a little surfing and then relaxing in the afternoon.

While some would say the 3d coast isn't that great for surfing, it's hit the spot the 2 times I've been.

The only drawback is...I realized I'm out of surfing shape. This means I need to head to the gym for some Surf Specific exercises (back and arms). I also need to work on the Twitching Muscles!!! I need to be able to paddle FAST! It didn't take me long to realize I'm a lazy surfer...let the wave do the action!!!!

Tomorrow is another day...hopefully I'll get tomorrow and Sunday in before heading back to LA!!!

"O"fer

After some great swell predictions, I went O for 4 with getting in the water at SPI. It was so disorganized and like a washing machine with LOTS of soap. So I decided it BEST to not drown on the first few days of our Spring Break...MrsBlue and LilBlue would not have been happy to spend time in the hospital or morgue...

However, after 4 days of watching the waves, we arrived a Gtown and some decent swell (more my size and fun size).

So, MrsBlue "allowed" me to get my stoke and hit the water...

Mahalo MrsBlue...it made carrying the surfboard some 1200 miles worth it :)

\m/

SpringBreak SPI

Look at the view from the room!!!!

MrsBlue did GOOD!!!!

Surfboard status update

As I was looking at the bottom surface of the board, I spar was OFF!  So this caused my board to be OFF!  So tried to disassemble it at the tip and it "broke" on me!  Not good.  So I spent all week "playing" with it to fix...but didn't get it to where I wanted it.  So now I'm on VaCaTx and it'll have to wait until I return.  Hopefully, I can straighen it up a little before I decide to put the planks on.

Oh well, at least this week I will get a little wave action.  My timing appears to be OFF (again) and we aren't going to be at the best spots at the best time.  Corpus Christie has some good swells predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday, but we'll be here on Sunday and Monday.  At South Padre Island same luck...off by a day or two.  So I may get some crappy waves, but at least they are waves.

Getting STOKED for some wave action...no matter how good or bad they are!

Vaca

Here's the start ;)

Surf(ace) of the Board

It*s starting to look like a surfboard!!! I wasn't sure I would ever get to this stage of the buildup, but here I am.

It's going to look awesome once I get the top planks on and glued into place. Right now I'm looking for some wood to cut and put on the board. Not sure if I'll add some color with other types of wood or go with one type (right now popular is winning out),.

However, I have stopped by the wood hobby shop on base and they are going to let me use the table saw to cut some strips. We'll see how that turns out. I'm not sure I'm ready for using the Correct tools since the previous parts of the build have been done in the garage with simple hand tools (power and not so much). The best tool I like is the hand planer...it does some great work with very little effort.

Look out you groms, the old man on a short board will be hitting surf alongside you very soon !!!