Welcome to Dog Crap Beach

[prozac]

I got up early the other day and drove out to Rufus, (Gorge site). It was a perfect 3.5 day with big swells, steady winds, and 80 degrees. Everything was perfect - it was a perfect day - the type of day I justify staying alive for. My mood did not last long. I got out of my car and walked around the back to get my 3.5 sail out and stepped in a big pile of dog crap. I was bare foot and the feeling of dog crap oozing between my toes is something I will never forget. I damn near lost it. I looked up and counted seven dogs running around not leashed. Inconsiderate dog people, I yelled. There was no response. I rigged up and sailed all day executing 12 foot jumps, high speed duck jibes, and awesome swell rides. The entire time sailing I was dwelling on those inconsiderate dog people. They should leave their dogs at home or keep them on a leash.

[WMP]

Are you sure that was dog crap? Perhaps a sailor was in such a hurry to get on the water, he toke a dump in the parking area? It is possible.

Just imagine whirled poop (errr peas)!

[DietPepsi]

The beach is heaven for dogs just like it is for us. Why should they stop dog owners from enjoying the beach just because one missed rovers puppy mine. You got the worst case senerio and all you had to do is walk back into the water and shake you foot a bit to get it off.

[angryguy]

Wow, where do I start? You guys at the gorge sure can be high strung, eh? For starters, maybe you could watch where youre going and not step in that dog shit in the first place. From the way you describe your own sailing it sounds like you have been sailing a while; you should have already accepted the fact that windsurfing is not always as easy as you would like it to be. each spot has its own set of inadequacies and irritations, I suppose. The fact that you sail in an overcrowded, barge infested, tourist trap sandbox is unfortunate in some respects, however you also get to sail more powerful wind than most. So deal with it, or move. Personally, Id rather be sailing the wide open pacific. It looks like the prozac just isnt doing it for you, holmes. Maybe if you rip a couple loads before going sailing you would feel better and be able to just laugh it off if something irritating happens.Thats how we do it here on the coast. You know, just be thankful you can sail at all? Being angry is one thing, but being a crybaby is just lame. Let me make one other thing perfectly clear: you are launching from a riverbed, a beach is what lies at the edge of the ocean.

[isobars]

I agree that people should clean up their dog crap. I also accept a lot of responsibility for watching where the heck I step. At least crap wrinses off, and sure as HELL isnt going to be allowed to occupy any of my brain cells while Im shreddin. Youre enjoying a 3.7 day at one of the Columbias two finest sailing spots ... and yer whinin about a little crap between yer toes, LETTING it ruin your day? Get some perspective!

BTW, if I do take my dogs to the beach (by definition, the shore of a sea or lake, and the Columbia is a series of lakes all the way from Bonneville Dam west of Hood River to Hanford Reservation >150 miles upstream) and they crap somewhere and miss seeing it, let me know in any words or tone that makes you feel better. Ill clean it up right away.

If, OTOH, some dog owner refuses to clean up after some crap-footed sailor points out his dogs deeds in a rigging area, the dog owner would be well advised to keep his gear in his car and the windows rolled up tightly.

In the meantime, Prozac might want to avoid Roosevelt. Now, THATS doggy heaven, or hell, depending on whether youre the dog or the barefooted sailor.

Mike \m/

[wop1]

You are a moron. The obsession with dog crap is one thing but to think that your day executing 12 foot jumps, high speed duck jibes, and awesome swell rides is making me laugh out loud. Are you sure you dont sail down here in the Bay? You must be one of the idiots who cruises out to the coast and expects respect because your fin matches your f$% sail board.

STAY IN THE GORGE!!!

highspeed duck jibes.... hahaha. what a bafoon!

[prozac]

sure dude, high speed = + 30 mph.I have been clocked so go smoke some more crack. I learned to sail in the san fran bay and when I am there shred coyote or waddell. I sort of burned out of wave sailing and did the kenny winner speed thang. I was clocked 4mph less than the record - go smoke some more crack. I lived in Maui for 2.5 years and now back doing the cold southern Oregon coast bit. Bay sailors really cant jibe very well because they hold a straight line sailing too long. When Im at the gorge, if I dont throw two hundred jibes a day, (high speed to you crack head) I consider it a lame day. No body ever gives me respect, but I do get laid a lot by the women that love to watch me shred.

I was being modest about the Rufus day. I did a handful of other tricks.

I suppose I should include this; when I lived in the Bay Area -SF, Im one of the few crazies that sailed around the Farallon Islands. Not a big deal today, but 15 years ago it was.

Hope you find some wind and chill out, but remember to leave your dog at home. Smoke some for the wind god,... thats dog spelled backwards. Hehe.

[isobars]

Gee, I wonder why > No body gives me respect? Think maybe it has to be ... EARNED?

Mike

[Wookie_Hog]

I honestly hope you do make it to the coast down here. Please sail Davenport and Waddell. There are plenty of people with dogs here and we could all use some jibing lessons (lol, hehe).

I bet you were the guy that always got beat up at the local spots for telling stories and then dropping in on the biggest guy in the water.

I am enjoying these stories of victory you tell. Please tell us some more. Im liking the one about the farallons. No wait, tell us how you tear up Coyote Pt. I bet you can probably water start. Can you highspeed jibe into a jump?

[Wookie_Hog]

...but I do get laid a lot by the women that love to watch me shred.

Can you beleive this guy? Hes killing me.