 |
leaving everyone
in the dust |
We are friends with an
interesting couple… he’s a world-class champion land sailor and she’s a
falconer. So how can we not join them and
others from our past life in Santa Cruz for the 2015 America’s Landsailing Cup (March
21-28, 2015) at the Ivanpah Dry Lake Bed on the California-Nevada border?
 |
| Ivanpah Sunset |
California provides the dirt
and Nevada contributes Primm: a three-casino-resort-plus-mega-shopping-mall-and-a-couple-of-mini-mart-gas-stations “town” off the I-15. Many of the race
participants get a bargain room in one of the casinos for a comfortable night’s
sleep, some just get rooms for the shower and dry camp on the lakebed.
 |
| Camping with SASSAS |
We arrive the day before
races begin and set up camp near our friends. Who are also dry camping but generously share their room key for showers for the duration. Everyone is getting the boats
ready for the next day’s start of competition.
There are sailors from across the US and Chile. Word on the playa: excellent sailing
conditions for the coming week…
There are ten classes of dirt boats racing. The largest class is the Manta Twin with 36 registered boats. The Biggest boats hit 80mph in 29-knot winds… Depending on the wind & our mood, we trek out to the judges stand to take photos of the start & finish or park ourselves out by the mark for action shots each day.
 |
| part of the Manta Twin line-up |
 |
| Dimples' all aluminum Cousin? |
In the late afternoon
after the races end, Chris goes out with a friend in a Manta Twin and they hit
the butt puckering speed of 50mph, the next day I’m finally convinced to give
this a try and get a thrilling 30mph (fast and puckering enough thank you very
much) ride.
 |
| A solar Monet |
 |
| Mirage |
The races are fast andexciting. Three major sailing clubs are represented: SASSAS (The Sunny Acres Sipping, Sailing and
Soaring Society), MOOSE (The Montana organization of Sailing Enthusiasts) and
the Wind Wizards from SOCAL. There are
also individuals from across the country and a competitor from Chile. Each day ends with the awards ceremony and a
BYOB potluck or a dinner sponsored by one of the clubs. SASSAS does ribs, Wind Wizards
cook up some mighty tasty burgers and the MOOSE fry up 50 lbs. of bacon and
serve it up with hors d’oeuvres. YEA!!! Of course adult beverages are
plentiful.
 |
| despite the illusion, this is a DRY lake |
 |
| Ready to Rumble |
On the early windless
mornings before the races start, we join our friend with her rabbit hunting duo
of Jesse James: a Harris’s Hawk and her Hungarian Vizsla: Buso. The Jean Roach
Dry Lake area supports a decent population of Jack Rabbits. Jessie chases but never connects. He’s still young, so with a bit more
experience he’ll be a jackrabbit’s worst nightmare.
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| Jesse James |
 |
| Lookin' for those waskeley wabbits |
 |
| Jesse and Buso on the hunt |
By the end of the
week, we’ve each shot over 1,000 photos each, (See more photos here) we've generated a mountain of laundry and Dave and Dimples are dusty inside
and out. What a great way to start off this year’s travels…
One interesting note: When sharing about our plans to
return to CA for Chris’ dental work, we are beginning to hear, “Why aren’t you
going to Mexico for that? I have a
friend/relative/co-worker etc… who had great work done really cheap.” Something
to think about…
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