After months of planning and preparing, the DGS Sailing Team - Captain Thomas Kemper, August Martinez, Matt Kemper, and myself left San Diego at 5 AM on September 2nd and headed towards Northern California. Our final destination... North Lake Tahoe and the Lake Tahoe Criterion with an overnight stay at Mammoth Lakes. The Mohave desert was hot but I was told that the temperature usually climbs up to 105 degrees, so 90 degress was comfortable. It was a scenic drive driving through the lava fields at Inyo National Forest. Approximately 400 miles and 7 1/2 hours later we arrived at Mammoth.
After getting settled for the night, Augie who had lived in Mammoth before became our tour guide. Taking the Team to view a few of the Lakes before Sunset. We drove up to Lake Mame, elevation approximately 9,000 ft, which overlooks Mammoth Mountain. A scenic short walk through the forest and we came to a waterfall that overlooks the area where we stopped to capture a few photographs. By now, it was getting dark, so we decided to head back for some dinner and a good night's rest.
We arrived in Tahoe Vista, the next morning, around 10 AM and immediately went to the Franciscan Lakeside Lodge. The folks that run the Lodge were great, granting us access to their private beach so we could rig our canoe. It was a perfect setting, overlooking the lake and located 1/2 mile from the actual race site. As Tom, Augie, and Matt rigged the canoe in front of our cabin, I drove down to Kings Beach to meet with Marilyn Steele, President of the Northern California Canoe Association.
Arriving at the race site, I was in for a delightful surprise. Walking across the parking lot, I ran into Nappy Napoleon, Gaylord Wilcox, and Nick Beck who had come up to compete. After talking story for awhile, I went to find Marilyn. She explained the history of the race. The Criterion is actually a series of races over a two day period and includes OC6's, OC1's, OC2's, and Surfski's. It was in its 15th year. I did a short walk through the race site where the paddlers were busy rigging their canoes. What a spectacular area for racing.
The next morning, the Team woke with excitement of the day to come. It would be the first time that a Hawaiian sailing canoe would be out on Lake Tahoe. After a short team pule (prayer), we headed towards the race site down the beach. We were rewarded with an early morning wind. The canoe arrived to the delight of the crowd and just in time for the first race. For the rest of the day and the next, we sailed, fished, took photographs, and talked story to people, on the beach. For many, it was the first time that they had ever seen a Hawaiian sailing canoe up close. The organizers of the Criterion did a great job, and put on an outstanding event. The Team felt grateful that they were able to be part of this year's event and got to demonstrate Na Mo'oniho'awa for the paddlers of Northern California.
The final day in Tahoe was spent preparing the canoe for our trip to Catalina the following weekend. Loading the equipment on the canoe and testing the balance to make sure everything was just right. Afterwards, the Team enjoyed the rest of the day relaxing in the sun for it had been a very exhausting weekend and we still had to drive back home. Later that day, Nick Beck stopped by to discuss logistics with us for the Catalina trip. Nick had been invited to sail with Tom and Augie to Catalina and was very excited about going with us. Unfortunately, as it turned out, he had to cancel at the last minute and didn't get to go.
The Team would like to send a special Mahalo nui to John and Mike from the Franciscan Lakeside Lodge. They went out of their way to take great care of us. We had an absolutely fabulous time. We would also like to thank the people from Hui O Sacramento and Ke Anuenue for inviting us to a great event. |
