Posted by Ed Kiser on November 17, 2010 at 18:36:22 user Kisered.
In the North Western part of the United States is the Hood River, in the Columbia River Gorge on the border of Oregon and Washington. This location is a windsurfer’s paradise. Steady winds funnel up through the Cascade Mountains from cooler climes on the Pacific coast toward the warm inland desert to the east, whipping the wide Columbia River into a froth of wind-driven waves. The wind is channeled in between the mountains through the gorge in a manner that seems to intensify the effect of the wind. Such winds become quite a challenge to the experienced wind surfer, while providing a unique set of conditions to those desiring the ultimate experience.
This concept of having the wind guided by the enclosing mountains reminded me of a situation the D's found in Winter Holiday, as they were swept on their sailing sledge in the heart of a blizzard, straight up the lake, which was enclosed on both sides by mountains, as Dick observed:
"Hills on each side," shouted Dick. "The wind can't help
blowing straight up. Like blowing through a tube. Peashooter.
We're the pea."
The concept of sail boarding came about after Ransome's time. He did at least include the account of an ice boat sailing on skate-like runners. Wonder, in these modern times, if the Lake District has sail boarding, or jet ski enthusiasts, or those trying to water ski behind power boats. If such is happening there today, it would definitely be upsetting to those trying to find a Ransome-like experience in a small sailing dingy. Times change; technology changes. But it would be nice to retain a bit of that more tranquil way of enjoying the Lakes that Ransome made us love.
Ed Kiser, Kentucky