Temira's Gorge Forecast

Our best friend, the North Pacific High, hangs tough today!

Not sure where y'all sailed yesterday, but I had a great 3.7 session at Celilo after chasing the wind all over the Gorge. I can't shake the guilt when I sail there, though. I feel that drowning Celilo Falls was a travesty, one which devastated the already downtrodden local Native American tribes. I feel that we should pay to use that park, and the money should go to the Celilo Nation.

Moving on... Winds cranked last night! One overpowering gust knocked my non-child-safe ibuprofen from the kitchen table to the floor, spilling little brown pills everywhere. Why? Dense marine air pushed all the way through Hood River, stopping only when it reached Ripoff Bridge this morning. Marine overkill did in the Hatchery dawn patrol session, but it is windy at Doug's right now. Mini convection clouds covering the desert should burn off soon, giving winds free reign to take over. Unfortunately, deep marine penetration has lowered expected desert temps, in turn lowering desert winds, reducing our chances of an Arlington super-nuker today.

Having said that, condition favor eastern sites. Gradients already stand at 8 and 22 in the desert. The low N/S reading (that's the 22), favors The Wall, and as much as I like to sail there alone, I'll recommend you head there or Doug's today. Wait for those high clouds to burn off before you go. With this cold air stuck in HR for the day (marine deck is expected to increase in Portland as the day goes on - clouds remain scattered as of 7am, but they'll fill in later) and desert towns headed for 85-90 degrees, smoke on the water remains a possibility (although a reduced possibility as yesterday's predictions called for desert highs of 90-100). Look for a quick morning rise to 23-26 from Doug's all the way to Boardman. As clouds fill back into Portland, leaving city dwellers groaning in dismay, watch for winds to jump to the 26-30 range. I know, I know. You wanted 30+, but the MM5 just isn't showing what it was yesterday, and I'm not calling super nuker unless the blowing small animal warning is posted on the NOAA site.

Saturday brings continued west winds pouring from the tap, like beer at one of Brave Dave's parties. Somebody's locked the handle open! With increased marine deck, rain in Portland and lowered desert temps, emphasis remains east of Hood River and winds drop a bit. Head to Doug's or further east for 22-26. One strange thing: MM5 predicts wakeboarding weather tomorrow. Hmmmmmmm.

Ditto for Sunday on the winds.

For those of you who made it this far, we have a contest, courtesy of Denise from Gorge Central Vacation rentals. Gorge Central has the best selection of awesome Hood River getaways, and the best housekeepers, for making sure you get into a sparkling clean and hair-free home!!!  (That's not their wording - it's mine! Denise runs an awesome show and I'm giving her a hard time because she's a) my friend and b) on this list!) Denise has donated the following prize to the first person to bring her 2 dozen homemade or New York Subs chocolate chip cookies:

Up for grabs!  4 rounds - 18 holes at Indian Creek M-F or after 1 PM on weekends, golf cart included.  Expires Sept 1st.

Here's the deal: If you call her at 541-490-7368  to claim the prize, you must deliver the cookies by 9pm tonight. If you don't, the contest will run again tomorrow. There's no sneakiness here... no calling and not delivering. I want you sweating in the kitchen over those cookies while it's blowing 3.7 at Celilo.  =)

Have a supercalafragilisticexplialadocious day on the water. Don't forget that it's First Friday - lots of cool art, free wine, yummy snacks, great music and hundreds, maybe thousands of cool people cruising town tonight!