The men (and women?) shown here are all up in the air.
They may not know where I spent my Fourth. So they are not up in the air on that.
But they all know where they spent the Fourth: Pulled along the surface of a wind-swept river at high speed and sometimes...if they work it right...up in the air on a kiteboard.
It looks hard. And marvelous.
Better than skate boarding. Better than snow boarding. Better than sand boarding.
Better than a man flying a kite:
A kite flying a man!
If only I hadn't been born 40 years too soon!
A little closer view:
One up and one down:
One up and one down:
Here is a great big HINT as to the location of these kiteboarders --
the mountain in the background of these photos:
For more hints to help you solve this mystery, go to
my three earlier blog posts
asking the same critically important question:
So, where did I spend my Fourth of July?
***********************
Jim Hale
Principal Broker / Owner
Graduate, REALTOR Institute e-PRO
2012 Member, Million Dollar Club of Lane County
2012 Member, Real Estate Brokers Million Dollar Club
actionagents.net
1715 Linnea Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401-1962
Office: 541-484-0219
Direct: 541-543-9991
Fax: 541-485-8068
Eugene Oregon Homes / Real Estate jim@actionagents.net
All statistical market data is based on information from the RMLS of Oregon for the dates indicated.
© 2012 All Rights Reserved / Licensed in the State of OREGON
Geez! They've lost their freekin' mind.
Actually they likes it. They loves it. That wants some more of's it.
Only a couple of years ago, windsurfers dominated at this river place. Now the KITE MEN (& WOMEN) have almost completely taken over.
There were a few dozen windsurfers out on the Fourth. But there were hundreds of kites in the air.
And not a few men and gals flying, too.
i could have spent all day watching. But I need a stronger zoom.
Great pictures Jim. I soooooo want to do that. Of course my mind is a lot younger than my body!!!
Jim - Great pictures. That looks like it would be so much fun to do. It also looks difficult.
At first I thought you were on the Columbia in the gorge until I saw the mountains - I too have sat and watched in awe. What a beautiful day but wow it looks hard.
Thank you Everyone for your comments.
Margaret:
You were right at first guess. But then you live an hour closer to the windy Columbia River Gorge than I.
So the answer to my burning question:
Where did I spend my Fourth of July?
is
HOOD RIVER, OREGON
AMERICA'S GREATEST PLACE FOR WINDSURFING AND KITEBOARDING.
(Also nearby Odell, OR and Bingen, WA
Where two of my wife's sisters live.)
It is a great place for family festivities...and mountains (see my first post asking the same question below), parades (see my second post below) and wind.
It is Oregon's fruitbasket.
It is my favorite place in both Oregon and Washington -- outside of my home area: Lane County, OR.
I hope to post some more pix from there soon.
Jim, These are some very colorful pictures of the kite and board sailors in Hood River! I see them out almost everyday now especially if I'm crossing the bridge to WA. Fun to watch!