Today's Holiday - The Oregon Coast!

[A51Watcher]

I spent today's holiday at Twin Rocks beach in Rockaway -
(click image for full size, slider bar at bottom of this post)








A long time favorite place of mine, where I spent the day relaxing on the beach, enjoying the sights -






and flying a kite -






...which is a favorite pastime of many of the good folks down there -
























I spent the day in a more secluded area you can see in the background to the right -







with a drink in my hand with one of those little umbrellas in it!    

[thorfourwinds]

OUTSTANDING ! ... as usual   

[A51Watcher]

For those that might like to fly a kite sometime but think it might be too complicated, relax try this -

...see that kite in the top center here, sort of a bat wing shape?





THAT's the one you want, cause this shape is THE easiest shape to fly, that even toddlers can have fun with it since it's basically a 'look ma no hands!' mode of flying.

(This is called a Delta kite)

One of these usually can be found for $3.50 for parents on a budget.


It wanders around all day riding the winds aloft and eventually always returns itself to center.

A lot of the time I just wrap the string around a piece of driftwood and then just sit back and enjoy it flying itself all day.


However I spend an hour or 2 before ending the day by flying it by hand, manually holding the string feeling the different air current strengths and directions it passes through.


I find this quite relaxing (listening to the ocean waves and kite flying) and the manual flight usually triggers actual flying dreams for me that evening.  (riding the same various air currents I felt earlier)




P.S. These kites do not require a tail like the one shown in the photo.

[sky otter]

ahhhhhh nice way to spend the day...

and i guess telling you to go fly a kite is not a bad thing...

[burntheships]

Thanks for sharing, love all the kites!
Oh goodness sakes its a good thing it is late,
this makes one want to jump in the car and head
to the nearest beach!

[A51Watcher]

Thanks Thor and sky, glad you enjoyed the sights. 

Here's some video of the annual kite festival held there each May so you can see them in action -






Most hobbyists who wander by my kite area  are amazed to see my solution to winding the string up by hand - I asked around some of my fishing buddies to see if anyone had an old fishing rod and reel they didn't need anymore. 

Got plenty of offers and wound up with a free beauty that launches and retrieves in no time.

I note that these days I see some of them now doing the same and they grin and nod at me as we pass. 


To this day, the type of kite that really gets my attention is The Box Kite -






I find them mesmerizing because they are a visual paradox and aerodynamically they just -should not be able to fly!- 



These days there are several new variations -

[A51Watcher]

Thanks for sharing, love all the kites!
Oh goodness sakes its a good thing it is late,
this makes one want to jump in the car and head
to the nearest beach!

Indeed bts!   


...but don't forget folks a beach is not a requirement for those wanting to give it a shot!

[A51Watcher]

I am thinking about springing for one of THESE for next years festival! -









or MAY-be... one of these!! (heh heh) it IS a beach festival theme after all -

[A51Watcher]

OR






I can't decide which one makes me laugh more! 





If I get the cow kite I will have get this one to fly above it!  -

[A51Watcher]

[robomont]

a51.great pics.wish i was there.always loved kites.

[burntheships]

Oh, love that green alien on the craft kite!

Hahaha, doubt anyone would even give a sideways glance these
days, I found one I like too, for next time!

[The Seeker]

AWESOME!

51, that was very refreshing, my friend; thanks for sharing with us...

that saucer with alien is definitely you.



seeker

[A51Watcher]

a51.great pics.wish i was there.always loved kites.

robo, you are welcome to stop on by anytime. 

[A51Watcher]

Oh, love that green alien on the craft kite!

Hahaha, doubt anyone would even give a sideways glance these
days, I found one I like too, for next time!

Perfect choice bts!

Nice colors and being a delta shape it will perform flawlessly!