I have two major events in process right now.
One, the dragon boat races, is just around the corner. My team starts practice at the beginning of January and we end with the Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races. Which are happening this coming weekend, June 12-13. (A couple weeks ago coach tossed out the idea that we might go to a race in Canada in 2012 that is three weeks or so after the Rose Festival races; but this year, as in the previous seven years of this team's existence, the MissFit Dragons goes on to other activities after the Rose Festival).
We still don't have the full schedule of events - but this morning our coach sent out the schedule for the first day. We are an all women's team, so check out those times if you'd like to come see us paddle! We are a strong team this year and practices have been going great. We know we will be competitive and give it everything we have. Where we will place remains to be seen - but we will know we gave it our all.
Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races for Saturday, June 12th:
8:00 AM Opening CeremonyWe will be in at least two races on SUnday; but we won't know the times until Thursday night.
First Round:
8:30 AM to 8:57 AM High School
9:06 AM to 9:42 AM Women
9:51 AM to 11:30 AM Mixed
11:30 AM Gorman Cup
Second Round:
1:03 PM to 11:30 PM High School
1:39 PM to 2:15 PM Women
2:24 PM to 3:54 PM Mixed
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The second "water event" is my 8-day rafting the Grand Canyon trip. I'll be leaving for that in just over two weeks. Yikes and yippee!
This morning our leader (who just happens to be the dragon boat coach, and many members of the trip are also MissFit Dragons) sent out the current weather for in the canyon. As we are facing another day of rain here - we did have a sun break on Saturday, thankfully - I see that today's temperature IN the canyon is going to reach 112 degrees. The overnight 'lows' are warmer than some of our highs. Again, I find myself thinking, "really? I need a rain suit for the mornings on the raft in the canyon?" And I know that Nikki and the guides wouldn't steer me wrong, so I'll take it. But all I can think of is sweating inside even a "breathable" (I've yet to find one where that statement is really true) rain suit in those temperatures while I'm being baked by the sun and splashed with cool/cold water. But I trust them.
Anyway...
So here is the forecast for in the Grand Canyon for this week (we start our rafting journey on 6/25):
Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 112. West southwest wind 5 to 8 mph increasing to between 14 and 17 mph.No matter the termperature, I know it is going to be amazing. I have a pile of things to practice packing. That large grocery bag sized drybag is shrinking as I remember more things I "need" to take. I have a day later this week where I will actually spend a couple of hours seeing what I can get into a similar sized container. Eight days; 20 punds of stuff in a grocery bag. Huh. Oh, plus one "ammo" container for camera and a waterproof notebook and weather resistant pen.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 67. West southwest wind 14 to 17 mph decreasing to between 5 and 8 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 108. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 18 and 21 mph. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind between 8 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 108. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph increasing to between 15 and 18 mph. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
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I'm excited. For both events.
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