And then we go to the North Coast Kinetic Art Race, which just concluded its 44th Grand Championship during Memorial Day weekend. Yup, a handcrafted, human-powered art sculpture which has to travel 40-plus miles over land, sand and water in three days. Riiighht. You gotta float (paddle and/or pedal, really) that puppy across a portion of Humboldt Bay and then get back on the road and race, race, race. As they say "For the Glory!" (And the ibuprofren, no doubt.)
We arrived in Eureka on Friday afternoon after a quick visit to the lovely town of Ferndale, the finish line for the race. Next morning we joined the rest of the crowd and the participants (sometimes it was hard to determine who was whom) at the race start on the town square in Arcata.
We just watched. That was plenty enough fun and glory, although I do wish that I had been a bit better dressed for the party - you know, a little face paint, or a goofy hat or at least a feather boa or two. Or six. And a big wig.
After a few laps around the square, the vehicles headed off for the beach and sand dunes. And while we took a hike around Humboldt Bay (with a little liquid refreshment after at the Lost Coast Brewery, the racers were pedaling hard to arrive in Eureka for the night. Next morning, not-so-bright and not-even-early, the race began again at the boat launch in Eureka. Yesterday's wheeled vehicle now had to pull out oars, paddle wheels or pontoons. No sinking, no motor. Just glory. And fun.
So if you are, or know someone who is, artistically, engineeringly and/or mechanically inclined, this may be an event for you. Especially if you can round up some friends to help out. These days, there are numerous kinetic races to consider, from Corvallis and Klamath Falls, to Ventura, or as far away as Baltimore. You can always go and watch. Just remember your wig.
No comments:
Post a Comment