Report from an 18+ hour round trip to the desert with our modestly large for a Ranger travel trailer.

[Northwet Neil]

Many of you will not know about the Alvord dry lake playa. Speed freaks and fans of Jesse Combs do, sadly. There are others that make this trek to a remote SE corner of Oregonand landsailors are among them. It is a rare 12 x 7 miles worth of open flat and mostly smooth surface on the right conditions. A couple months ago we made the plan to go and meetup with many other sailors from all over. There are many types of yachts and sail classes. I am among the one design folks that have Blokarts. Small compact and easily transported they are a fun and easy craft to sail. There are a few homebuilt one designs and I have to admit the Mini Skeeters were impressively fast with their wing masted sails and the big B class boats are something to see. I must admit we were having such a great time we did not get any videos and only a few shots. However for this forum I can say the Ranger was awesome and as usual gave no drama the whole trip. We were averaging 11.2 MPG with the Bronco takeoff wheels I've been using and I had entered the tire size correction into the Ford Performance computer previously for accurate speed and distance. The tires are a bit taller. Anyway, great trip, even saw the Northern Lights unexpectedly. The night sky is breathtaking without light pollution from cities or awesome Aurora Borealis, but even wonderful then, Monday the 7th. Take your truck and trailer out and Play.

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[dtech]

Good pic of the aurora, saw the same on a hunting trip in SW CO , a rarity. Now I need the elk to show themselves.

 

[PNWPIK]

How lucky to catch the Aurora! I'm hoping to get a trip out to the Alvord over the winter this season.

 

[Montana Ranger]

Loved land sailing when I lived in the southwest.

 

[subquark]

Many of you will not know about the Alvord dry lake playa. Speed freaks and fans of Jesse Combs do, sadly. There are others that make this trek to a remote SE corner of Oregonand landsailors are among them. It is a rare 12 x 7 miles worth of open flat and mostly smooth surface on the right conditions. A couple months ago we made the plan to go and meetup with many other sailors from all over. There are many types of yachts and sail classes. I am among the one design folks that have Blokarts. Small compact and easily transported they are a fun and easy craft to sail. There are a few homebuilt one designs and I have to admit the Mini Skeeters were impressively fast with their wing masted sails and the big B class boats are something to see. I must admit we were having such a great time we did not get any videos and only a few shots. However for this forum I can say the Ranger was awesome and as usual gave no drama the whole trip. We were averaging 11.2 MPG with the Bronco takeoff wheels I've been using and I had entered the tire size correction into the Ford Performance computer previously for accurate speed and distance. The tires are a bit taller. Anyway, great trip, even saw the Northern Lights unexpectedly. The night sky is breathtaking without light pollution from cities or awesome Aurora Borealis, but even wonderful then, Monday the 7th. Take your truck and trailer out and Play.

Great pics and it looks like a fun sport.

And +one-million points for the sailing doggie! =)

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Many of you will not know about the Alvord dry lake playa. Speed freaks and fans of Jesse Combs do, sadly. There are others that make this trek to a remote SE corner of Oregonand landsailors are among them. It is a rare 12 x 7 miles worth of open flat and mostly smooth surface on the right conditions. A couple months ago we made the plan to go and meetup with many other sailors from all over. There are many types of yachts and sail classes. I am among the one design folks that have Blokarts. Small compact and easily transported they are a fun and easy craft to sail. There are a few homebuilt one designs and I have to admit the Mini Skeeters were impressively fast with their wing masted sails and the big B class boats are something to see. I must admit we were having such a great time we did not get any videos and only a few shots. However for this forum I can say the Ranger was awesome and as usual gave no drama the whole trip. We were averaging 11.2 MPG with the Bronco takeoff wheels I've been using and I had entered the tire size correction into the Ford Performance computer previously for accurate speed and distance. The tires are a bit taller. Anyway, great trip, even saw the Northern Lights unexpectedly. The night sky is breathtaking without light pollution from cities or awesome Aurora Borealis, but even wonderful then, Monday the 7th. Take your truck and trailer out and Play.

Retired CG Neil?

 

[Northwet Neil]

Loved land sailing when I lived in the southwest.

Yeah there were quite a few Mantas and twins and I saw at least one Odyssey. The pic I posted of the camps along the edge was after a couple days. Actually there were very few gaps looking South at the RVs and trailers set along the SW area of the Playa. Probably 25-30+ dirt yachts at one point. Was cool to see folks set out when the wind started to fill in.

 

[Northwet Neil]

Great pics and it looks like a fun sport.

And +one-million points for the sailing doggie! =)

My wife has a video of him at the beach at the end of his leash standing almost like a meerkat whining and barking when I sail off without him. I should see if I can post it someday with a meme...

 

[Northwet Neil]

Retired CG Neil?

Sooner than intended, but a few years of SAR taught me a ton. I get a giggle out of sailing "grounded." so the stripes were in honor and in fun.

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