Power Kite Forum

My Vacation

leebrianh - 22-12-2006 at 08:17 PM

I just came back from my vacation. It was a buggy trip to California. I flew all the way to California from Delaware to buggy and landboard on Dry Lakes and Beaches. Awesome time!

Day 1: El Mirage on Saturday. On the way to the El Mirage, it was raining in LA. Jennie (my girlfriend) was saying, "poor Brian. You've been planning this trip for months and now it's raining." I couldn't just stop there and cry but had to see it for myself so headed to El Mirage anyway. HALLELUJAH! The lake is still dry!!! Due to weather forecast (rain), there weren't that many people on the lake. Some motor crossors and land sailers, more room for me. Wind was changing constantly. I ended up using all of my kites from 2.0M to 10M depower. At the end, there was rain cloud all around the lake and it got me scared. Not sure if it actually rained after I left.

Day 2: Ivanpah Dry Lake. Actually, I don't think it was Ivanpah Dry Lake but smaller one close to truck parking lot. Oh well, any dry lake works for me! Since this wan't a planned trip, I didn't have a permit to ride on the dry lake. I found some land sailors and asked about permit and they were nice enough to let me be their guest rider. After two hours of riding, park rangers showed up. One of the sailor guys, who rides pretty much every weekend there, said "I haven't seen those rangers for two months and now you are here, they shows up." I was really luck to meet those nice sailors. Wind kind of sucked, off and on from all directions. But again, crappy wind day on dry lake is better than windy day on a small soccor field.

Day 3: Pismo Beach. I was going back to El Mirage but thought beach rde might be better and headed to Pismo beach. I got there late but wind was just perfect. Wind from the ocean at about 12mph. My new Frenzy 10M was perfect size for landboarding and buggy ride. Because it was Monday, not that many cars or ATV riders. Some were doing horse back riding there. Just one of those beautiful days on the beach. Best moment was when I was passing cars under 15mph speed limit. Some were asking me where they can rent those kite and buggy (ye, they were jealous :-). Only thing I regret was why didn't I get there earlier. That was my first visit to Pismo beach and I didn't know what to expect and that's why I didn't hurry in the morning. Besides, it's 3 hour drive from LA.

This was my best vacation ever and plan to do it next year again. Not that many pictures though. Next time, more pictures and of course more fun. Click below for some pics. - Brian

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SecondWind - 22-12-2006 at 09:18 PM

Sounds like fun! I just noticed all the new kites in your quiver - Blade IV, Sabre II and a 07 Frenzy :o

popeyethewelder - 23-12-2006 at 05:15 AM

Great story, great pics....I would love to do the dry lakes some day

Carl

leebrianh - 23-12-2006 at 06:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DaVinch
Sounds like fun! I just noticed all the new kites in your quiver - Blade IV, Sabre II and a 07 Frenzy :o


I like new stuff (who doesn't :-) Hoping to get my hands on new Montana 2 soon. - Brian

SecondWind - 23-12-2006 at 09:09 AM

What's your favorite new kite so far? The Blade IV? Or has depower been the best for you?

kitemaker4 - 23-12-2006 at 10:16 AM

Hey Brian you should think about going to nabx in the spring.

Susan

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PKD Brooza's: 2, 3, 4 and 5.5 meter
Libre Special and V-max buggys

Pablo - 23-12-2006 at 11:05 AM

Just an idea, pulling the buggy behind the board, it would probably be do-able if you used a longer rope so the buggy wouldn't be pullying you side to side as much, If you had a heavy enough buggy/rider combo it could make for interesting jumps though.

Pics of the trip look awesome. I can't wait to hit NABX and get on the dry lake beds myself. Hopefully I can make the whole week down there.

wjb - 23-12-2006 at 11:26 AM

Brian
Glad to hear you had a great vacation. We should hook up if you come out to Pismo again next year. What are your impressions of the Sabre 2 vs your Frenzy. Are you flying the Sabre with the flexi bar? I understand you can use any 5 line bar as well. Wade

leebrianh - 23-12-2006 at 04:06 PM

Definately NABX next year. I am already counting down :tumble:

During the beach ride, I felt sorry for my girlfriend waiting for me to come back so came up with pulling the buggy idea and bag strap was the only thing I could find in my car. I am thinking about getting another buggy for tandem ride and it will probably be a birthday present for my girlfriend (remember Homer Simpson's bowling ball gift to Marge?).

Blade IV 6.5 used to be my favorate until I got Frenzy. Love the idea that you can controll the power. A couple of time during beach ride, I felt Frenzy was pulling my buggy to side too much and all I had to do was to let go the bar, reduce speed a bit and pull the bar again. It worked fantastically. Didn't have a chance to fly Sabre II that much during my trip but I used to fly Sabre 1 and I loved it. Can't wait to give it a shot to Sabre II soon. - Brian