Ocean

Well the other day our think tank got on a discussion of rowing across the Pacific in a Rowboat. Now before you laugh there is a Frenchman who actually did it. He went across the Atlantic four times. We got to thinking of the logistics needed to beat this record he set of 129 days.

One of our think tank members Swift from Las Vegas thought; “The best position would be in the central part of the boat, while rowing in a forward position; but during rowing races not everyone is in the central part of the boat. What about getting seasick? Medication might be needed, it helps, it doesn’t stop it in everyone because it is appearing to be a genetic issue that’s stronger in some than in others. What about cadence?”

I thought well, that is a very interesting point I thought; Well, it would be fine, like a long distance runners cadence only even slower really. But in running you step every half-second or 3 times per second. Sometimes striding out .75 times or 1 time per second.

Swift began to discuss the similarities of the Tour de France to paddling across the Pacific Ocean and noted that someone like Lance Armstrong only a rowing champion would be the best type of human to try something like this.”

However I thought what if we had a scientifically and perfectly engineered boat with special oars, which allowed it to travel very fast thru the water, even with the waves? Could we take a very dedicated and mentally tough average good athlete and still get it done? If we could, I would or might like to try it.

Swift said well you are crazy enough to try it, I suppose and said; “Lance, I can see you crossing the ocean–it would be fun. With composites, the ship could be designed to be quite aerodynamic to move through the water more efficiently than wood or other materials. Perhaps, there could be something with the design or the weight at the bottom that would discourage the thing from flipping over during storms.”

Indeed, I thought these are excellent points aren’t they? Yes, of course you would have to stay alert and fight it? That would be a challenge. If it got to bad, close her up airtight and wait it out. Conquer your fears. Develop a self-enclosed and encapsulated pod as part of the boat incase of Typhoons or Hurricanes or just really dangerous and rough seas.

Swift said, well we will have to check to see if the French guy had sails, but if they would be made out of this film, there’d be electricity that wouldn’t add a lot to the weight. (New Flexible Solar Panels like on the Aerovironment “Pathfinder”) How peaceful would it be to be moving on a calm sea with the boat lit up so one could determine when the calmness would be over. There would be a lot of clues that a person could figure out in the time it took to cross. I wonder if things are different over the Ring of Fire as far as water currents and movements of storms. It would be great to have a computer, so one could have a program of the maps of the ocean in these areas, so as one rowed, the idea that there was an underground volcano, so fish might be plentiful to catch that day.

Yes indeed I said, some electronics would be needed for navigation. Yes or a satellite radio or something I suppose. You could on a very calm time send emails by a satellite? But short wave might be the best way to do it. Might be cool to have a Satellite Phone too.

Swift indicated that it might also be an important consideration for proper seating. “Something that would be important would be to create an ergonomically correct seat to row on so the back wasn’t stressed unduly. Perhaps, there would be some type of upper body garment that could be worn at first that would encourage the correct posture so there’d be muscle memory for the rest of the journey.”

Good plan I said; “Smart thinking. But do not make it too easy otherwise that would be a real problem for the challenge of it, as it is a test of will, the ultimate survival. You must battle the adversity with will and human intent, you see that is the fun of it?”

Swift said; “I was thinking about this last night and today, and the movement would be a rocking motion in liquid, which would be very womb-like. I wonder if storms would feel more intense when they occurred because of the sensory deprivation and how the womb-like movement might affect the primitive area of the brain.”

Indeed what about vertigo; although it does sound peaceful to me. On a pitch-black night with my new invention for my LED light, to flicker on the waves ahead so you did not get any surprises. The light would run off the waves slapping against the hull and the vibrational energy. Well yes all that would be a consideration, but also I think conquering the fear and risk might be a way to really make the experience a life event worthy of the human endeavor. If we talk all the danger away, it might not seem like such an adventure. You need enough to not necessarily feel 100% safe, but comfortable knowing you were prepared for the ’survival’ aspect of the journey.

Swift said; “It would be important to be able to access NASA’s AIRS system that is integrated with the Global Forecast System. Microwave and infrared imaging would help improve the accuracy of the 4 to 5 day storm forecasts as it could penetrate the cloud layers to show the temperature and water content of major storms. The accuracy is supposed by improve by 20% so one could determine the best times to take a shower–cold as it might be. It’s good to be prepared.”

“I was thinking that the bottom of the ship or boat could also take advantage of the cold of the water and could be a refrigeration unit so that food could be preserved in a safer manner and could be more fresh food than canned foods. The weight of the ship would diminish only slightly with better food and cans that wouldn’t be tossed overboard. Freeze-dried can be so boring. There would be a better nutritional mix, which is important for the success of the journey. If one fished well, the journey could be a great series of gourmet meals! How about a solar oven so one could bake while rowing? “

Indeed Swift is correct this would be a smart plan, but right under me I would want to be able to see the ocean underneath too. I would not be concerned with anything but sustenance. I wouldn’t want to make it too easy, but I could tow a small line and fish is good protein. Solar Oven, yes I have seen those, good idea. And you could make your own water by using a can of seawater and a mirror at an angle off the top condensation would run into the fresh water can. Also they make little RO filtration units, which are solar and then kill bacteria in a solar pack.

Now then Swift gets serious; “Would you choose the Atlantic or the Pacific, Lance?”

I had to stop and think for a second, well probably the pacific, but at certain times of the year you could do an Atlantic voyage? I guess all we need now is a perfect rowboat, some oars, rationing and a Corporate Sponsor? What would you take if you were going to paddle across the ocean? Think on it.

Lance Winslow

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San Francisco, a city in western California is coextensive with San Francisco County. Famous for its beautiful setting, San Francisco is primarily located on the northern tip of a peninsula at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the strait known as Golden Gate on the north, San Francisco Bay on the east, and San Bruno Mountain on the south. Alcatraz, Angel, Farallon, Treasure, and Yerba Buena islands are part of the city.

POPULATION

The population of San Francisco increased from 678,974 in 1980 to 723,959 in 1990; the population was 735,315 in 1996. According to the 1990 census, whites constitute 53.6 percent of San Francisco’s population; Asians and Pacific Islanders, 29.1 percent; blacks, 10.9 percent; and Native Americans, 0.5 percent. Hispanics, who may be of any race, represent 13.3 percent of the population. San Francisco is part of a major metropolitan region that also includes Oakland and San Jose. The region’s population increased from 5,368,000 in 1980 to 6,253,000 in 1990, reaching an estimated 6,940,000 in 2004.

ECONOMY

San Francisco is a leading financial and international trade center for the western United States. The downtown financial district contains the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange; the headquarters of the 12th Federal Reserve District; and numerous banks and corporate office buildings, including the home office of the Bank of America, one of the largest banks in the world. Tourism is also important to the city’s economy. The San Francisco region is also home to many companies developing computer software and hardware. Several national apparel manufacturers also have headquarters in the city.

EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

The main institutions of higher education in San Francisco are San Francisco State University (1899), the University of San Francisco (1855), Golden Gate University (1853), the University of California-San Francisco (1864), the New College of California (1971), the University of California Hastings College of Law (1878), the San Francisco Art Institute (1871), the Academy of Art College (1929), the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (1917), and a large community college. San Francisco has many performing-arts organizations. Among the best known are the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the American Conservatory Theater.

For more information, visit The San Francisco Help Center

David Chandler
For your FREE Stock Market Trading Mini Course:
“What The Wall Street Hot Shots Won’t Tell You!” go to: The Stock Market Genie

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It’s a place of incredible romantic possibilities, with unbelievably pristine beaches and rugged shorelines, and plenty of hidden spots perfecting for long walks hand-in-hand, finding yourselves all alone. With such gushiness-inducing qualities, it’s no surprise you’ll soon wind up reproducing.

Lucky you. Oregon’s coast is perfect for families as well. Those hidden spots put you and the little ones right in the middle of some of the best nature can show off. Then there are the myriad of kid-friendly lodgings, restaurants and towns which pull out the stops for the kidlets or bring out the kid in everyone.

Still, you don’t have to sacrifice the finer things when you bring the kids.

On Oregon’s north coast, the tiny town of Manzanita is endowed with a mysterious, woodsy vibe just above its vast expanse of crystalline beach. Here, the San Dune Inn provides a vast array of freebies like bikes, game equipment, popcorn and movies. Stay at this charming, unassuming place just blocks from the beach and you’ll find stuff for volleyball and other games suitable for the sand, as well as beach balls, bikes and simple sandcastle-making gear like buckets. They have an enormous selection of movies, and their choice of board games is a kick as well. It’s a kid’s dream come true.

It’s also very pet friendly. www.sandune-inn-manzanita.com. 888-368-5163.

Head northward, and you’ll encounter dozens of sandy and rocky beaches perfect for playtime. Drive about 12 miles and you’ll find the ritzy resort town of Cannon Beach. Near a famed Lewis & Clark landmark, Fultano’s Pizza sits and emits wonderful smells of Italian cuisine. With an outdoor patio here, you can still see some of the sights available at the end of Second Street, and enjoy exceptional - even gourmet quality - cuisine at a family pizza joint price.

Fultano’s delivers to local hotels, and they feature slices for lunch. They have a special thin crust recipe that’s especially tasty, crunchy and yet still tender in a way that manages to combine both those latter qualities seamlessly.

There are many of the standbys, as well as gourmet varieties like the Margherita (garlic and herb olive oil, three cheeses, red onion and more), a Greek-themed specialty, a Goat Cheese pizza, and specialties with Teriyaki Chicken, Linguica, BBQ Chicken and a variety of seafood selections. One item features a distinctive sausage with mashed grapes for the sauce, providing a subtle, sweet tang. The sausage is spicy and zippy, making a nice balance to the slight sweetness.

One must-try is their pasta (about $10). They have a homemade tomato sauce that is one stunning, mother-of-all sauces, and their meatballs are a serious delicacy. Still, even with its decent wine and microbrew selection, this is a place that welcomes the kiddies nicely. 200 N. Hemlock and Second Street. (503) 436-9717.

Drive north again, to Seaside, and you’ll find a beach town full of things to do for children - most notably Broadway Ave. with its almost dozen arcade businesses, ice cream vendors, kooky gift shops, bumper cars and other attractions. See www.seasideor.com for more.

One highlight is Seaside Helicopters, which whizzes you around above the town for about $25 per person. It’s thoroughly spectacular, as the helicopter takes you over the headland of Tillamook Head and Cannon Beach as well, allowing you unforgettable glimpses of the sea and these landmarks from this unusual vantage point. You even get to see “Goonies Rock” - where part of the cult film was made. Hwy 101, S. Seaside. www.seaside-helicopters.com. (503) 440-4123.

Down on the Central Oregon Coast - about 100 miles south - it’s a vast playground for kids and adults. Lincoln City is filled with miles of super clean beaches and tons of shops and restaurants.

Just south of Lincoln City, you’ll find another haven for families in a very unique resort called Bella Beach. Really, it’s a collection of rather upscale, gorgeous beach cottages that are vacation rentals or for sale. There are about 40 rentals available inside this pretty place, and more are still being built.

The philosophy of Bella Beach is to create a place with a “neighborly feel,” and indeed they’ve succeeded. Set in the midst of a Central Coast wooded area, there are the rustic architectural themes common to places like Manzanita or Cannon Beach, where garages are tucked away behind the buildings and front porches are the emphasis.

There’s a playground for the kiddies, and the homes vary from hideaway lodgings for two with oceanfront hot tubs, to larger accommodations for bigger groups. Bella Beach also offers up accommodations for groups as large as 60, if you happen to have a business retreat or reunion of some sort.

Then there’s that wondrous beach. Like many of the beaches in the area, the tide line is at a rather steep slope, so waves come in fast and hard, but dissipate quickly to shyly lap at your feet. 866-994-7026 or www.bellabeach.com.

For more on the Oregon Coast, including extensive virtual tours and Lewis & Clark Bicentennial information, see www.beachconnection.net

Andre’ Hagestedt is editor of Beach Connection, a tourism publication that covers the upper half of Oregon’s coast - some 180 miles.

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