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.