Team Wreck Yacht Club

We finally brought Grace O'Malley down the Columbia and up the Willamette.

Spence was kind enough to hook me up with two of his sailor buddies, Nate and Chris. In addition to their charming, old-timey style they have a lot of nautical experience, including stints on the Lady Washington.

I was glad they were along when, 20 minutes into the voyage, the tiller delaminated and broke off at the base. Luckily we were in the middle of the river and nothing was close by or it could have been ugly. We all stayed pretty calm and soon enough located some hose clamps and twine, lashed it together and kept going. Yikes!

Justine at the helm, approaching the Broadway Bridge.

Attempting to look intrepid.

A working river.




Chris on VHF channel 13, hoping to cause the Hawthorne bridge to raise.

Success! Under the bridge and we were quickly tied up at Grace's new home, Riverplace marina, where we'll be most afternoons, rebedding and caulking every single deck fitting in an attempt to slow down the leaks.

Death Sleepover and Wine Tour

The Winter Deathmarch underwent some changes due to weather concerns, lack of interest and general wussiness. No camping or hiking, but a few team mates came down to the farm for a mini holiday party. Milkshake and Misia made some righteous gumbo featuring huge king crab legs, Justine made an excellent chocolate cake featuring wild cherries we packed in amaretto and vodka in the summer. There was speed scrabble and boggle and a midnight mystery hike. The next day we did a little gravel road tour, visiting Firesteed winery for a tasting then riding to Baskett Slough and hiking to the top of the butte.

Nice light over the slough. photo by Justine.

We saw a pair of bald eagles at the top. Disco insisted they were crows but I think he may be wrong this time.


I think we were trying to spell out Team Wreck.



A few of the many poses struck by the Tiahdactyl.

Doom sells out.

Hawaii pt. 5

The valley of kings.


We hiked into the Waipaio valley along the steepest road I've ever traveled. 25% grade at some points.
This car came down the short way I guess.

The beach was well worth the trip. We tried to ford the river but the current was strong and after Justine fell in we gave up.


An Ironwood tree near the beach.
We hiked up the valley a ways, hoping to get close to this epic waterfall.

After a few more river crossings we turned back at this one. It was deep and we were getting some serious stink eye from the locals.

Hawaii pt. 4

I attempted to catch a pheasant for Thanksgiving dinner.

It didn't work out but luckily Trevor brined and smoked a turkey and it was excellent.

Justine making some sort of breadfruit/squash/ginger thing.

Skateboarding - the only thing dumber than cyclocross?

A fence composed of lava rock, firewood, chainsaws, bowling balls and an engine block.

Some pictures from a hike to akkaka falls.






J and our rental PT Loser, Smurfette.

Cook rice, not ice.

Hawaii pt. 3

Lava steam plume at sunset.

The surf busily making fresh pahoehoe into a black sand beach.

Possible emo album cover?

Lava entering the ocean. Believe it or not this was more impressive in person.

A beautiful volcano warmed pool along the Puna coast.


The old diving tower, Hilo harbor.

Mmmm, Garden Snack Club, home of the avocado, lime, mint, honey and tumeric smoothie.

Volcanos!

We're currently staying in the village of Volcano with Rob, who started out a friend of a friend of a friend but is now a straight up friend. And a wonderful host.

Most of his yard is actually wild ginger.

Hair of the Floyd.

We hiked around and across the floor of the Kiluea Iki crater.




Rob has a variety of machetes and cane knives, some more well kept than others.