How Do You Pack One of These Things?

Having lost the manual, or should we say not written it, the Tinkerers try to figure out how to get The Steeves ready for loading.

Just Shove It In

Fortunately Robyn has lots of experience packing paragliders, so the Solids have the edge in getting their sail module into a vehicle.

Alley Oop!

Note the clever fold-down seat design allowing for compact transport. Those Solids have thought of everything!

Double Decker

Thanks to those woven-wood fold-down seats courtesy of The Solids, The Steeves have a place on top - "we're winning!" says Hanna.

Keeping An Eye On The Load

Theo and Hanna are joined by some of the neighborhood dogs (and their minders) to make sure that the double decker load of carts doesn't get scraped off by any low-hanging branches.

Houston, We Have A Problem

Loaded for bear, the Tinkerers search for wind. Cleverly, rather than driving hither and yon, they call Julie to get internet-supported weather analysis. All indicators imply that staying put and waiting for some wind is the best bet.

A Momentary Illusion

The Tinkerers take a moment to stop and enjoy the coastal wildflowers, buoyantly blooming despite the oppressive fog and gloom.

Lunch

Sandwiches and juice boxes are the first distraction deployed during the Wait for Wind.

Just Another Rock On The Pile

The second distraction deployment in the Wait for Wind: Hide and Seek.

Great Balls of Sand

The third distraction deployment in the Wait for Wind: the patented Tulley sand ball (later deployed for distraction 3.5: sand ball tossing).

Great Piles of Sand

The fourth distraction deployment in the Wait for Wind: giant pile of sand. Ok, these are getting a little desperate. Also note the level of the tide. Not particularly low. Meaning, there is very little sand on the beach for the carts. Which is bad.

Let's Get Busy with Some Sand Carts

A trickle of wind appears and there is no hesitation in unloading the truck. While not nearly as compact as the original paraglider, the mast-mounted sails of The Steeves roll up nicely in a blue tarp. This is NOT the same blue tarp used last year as the actual sail for boats, but this tarp does prove useful in a number of ways.

What Goes Up (on the roof) Must Come Down

Ours is already down, says Hanna, so we're winning.

Descartes Banana Bread

Eleni and Theo wile away the long cart haul talking philosophy and swapping baking secrets. "Really, yogurt? I never would have thought of that."

Is This Really How It's Supposed To Work?

... and if so, shouldn't we be moving? The Steeves are learning the difference between some wind, and enough wind.

When Strangers Come To Town

While The Steeves rest on their wind-filled laurels ("we're winning!"), a local eyes the proceedings.

You Call That A Wing?

A California Red-Tailed Hawk looks on with barely concealed disdain.

Return Of The Blue Tarp

The Solids ponder the meaning of nothingness (as in no wind) while their fearless leaders demonstrate another useful configuration for the blue tarp.

Show-offs

A flotilla of pelicans taunt us.

To Dream The Impossible Dream

The Steeves _will not_ give up. While their progress might be slow (well, backward if anyone is really counting), with the wind in the sails they sail on. "We're winning!"

Some Casualties Occur

Dreaming the impossible dream puts Ian into a form of catatonia. Perhaps when he awakes, he'll see that this has all been a dream. But for now, he rests the rest of the Winners!

We're Winning!

Despite their catatonic compatriot, The Steeves celebrate their victorious inches margin over the Solids. That mast really paid off in these no-wind no-race conditions.

Get Me Outta Here

After 3 hours with no wind, the bloom is off the rose and the flush of sail-cart-racing is waning. The Tinkerers are ready to hit the highway and blow this - what is it again? It's so foggy I can't see past the parking lot....

Tinkering After Hours - Redux

Everyone wants to see how the stop-motion system works tonight. We have a cameraman, a pin-woman, a flash-charger, a light-switcher, a prop-master, and a cookie-baker. Still, no one seems able to tie a balloon like the master.

Ready, Set....

Gever demonstrates the two-fingered ninja balloon-tying kung fu. The stage is set.

Go!

We have blast-off. Or a blast. Actually, it's more of a pop. Or a poof. In any case it's enough (finally!) to trigger the strobe. So we can actually see something. Like the beautiful stage that has been created and the perfect set lighting. Oh, and the half-popped nitrile glove. Nice, right? I mean, look at the composition. So the only thing in focus is the... um... what part of the balloon is that?

Uh, What Is It?

After the glory that was balloon-popping, the light trigger isn't quite working. Turns out it is completely oblivious to ruby laser light.