Lake Mead, 3-31 to 4-5, 6.0/7.0, 85L,115L

[kenonstott]

Since we were already taking the Motor Home Penny encouraged me to take all the equipment. Boulder Beach was only 25 minutes from 5 grandkids so it was an easy place to choose. 3-31 was some pretty wild SW winds, 4-1 was straight west and funky, 4-2 was great north, and 4-4 was straight south and offshore. I have sailed Grantsville so much that I was a little frustrated by the up and down winds. I was spooked enough that I stayed on the 115 S-type for 3 of the days. One of the locals said you pretty much need a floater, at least the smallest board you can uphaul. I did use the little Sonic 85L for the north; I guess I figured I would wash to shore sooner or later. It is a huge lake and you have to watch how far you go out. Tim, the one local I spoke to pointed out that I launched the 4 days in the swim-only zone. It was right where the Park rangers told me to launch but it turns out the Game and Fish will give out $250 tickets. Typical government agency push and pull. The beach wasn’t at all crowded or I would have moved further east on my own. I had planned all year to get to Mojave but with the grandkids close and the motor home stuck in 2nd gear for a couple of days, it just didn’t work out. No complaints though with another 4 days of sailing under my belt. And in my summer short-sleeve wetsuit too!