Wednesday
Saturday
Sunday
Satellite Phone Rental, Satellite Phone Service, Rent Satellite Phones - SatellitePhoneStore.com
Note the EPIRB rental at the bottom of this web page:
Satellite Phone Rental, Satellite Phone Service, Rent Satellite Phones - SatellitePhoneStore.com
Satellite Phone Rental, Satellite Phone Service, Rent Satellite Phones - SatellitePhoneStore.com
Extronsport
Surf Runner as an "emergency" craft. The company is loaning me a single seat (shown) and a tandem for use. The tandem could hold some gear for us.
Extronsport
Extronsport
ALOKSAK Racing Arm Band Pack
These secure between elbow and armpit. There two waterproof compartments in each.
ALOKSAK Racing Arm Band Pack
ALOKSAK Racing Arm Band Pack
Donate to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation:
We are doing all of this to help generate donations to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation. This web site receives 3 to 250 visits per day. If everyone donated $1, we'd have raised almost $10,000 so far. If you are reading this, PLEASE consider sending a donation.
YOU CAN DONATE TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN USING A MAJOR CREDIT CARD BY CLICKING ON THE DESIRED DONOR LEVEL AND THEN "BUY NOW" AT THE GOOGLE CHECKOUT BUTTON IN THE SIDE BAR AT THE TOP LEFT.
You are not "buying" anything, and it is tax deductible; X Lake MI, U.A. is using the Google checkout process/buttons for no charge by linking to my holding company: C & D International Holdings, LLC
"Children's Hospital" will appear on your credit card statement for those who itemize. --Chaz
(For those who may not know: the "A-1", etc. on the donations correspond to the International Kiteboarding Organization skill level competencies.)
You can also pay by check:
Make Checks Payable to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Please put "X Lake MI Event" on the memo line).
Send donations to:
Heidi Schade
Special Events Coordinator
Children's Hospital Foundation
5583 Waterford Lane, Ste. A
Appleton, WI
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!
--Chaz
YOU CAN DONATE TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN USING A MAJOR CREDIT CARD BY CLICKING ON THE DESIRED DONOR LEVEL AND THEN "BUY NOW" AT THE GOOGLE CHECKOUT BUTTON IN THE SIDE BAR AT THE TOP LEFT.
You are not "buying" anything, and it is tax deductible; X Lake MI, U.A. is using the Google checkout process/buttons for no charge by linking to my holding company: C & D International Holdings, LLC
"Children's Hospital" will appear on your credit card statement for those who itemize. --Chaz
(For those who may not know: the "A-1", etc. on the donations correspond to the International Kiteboarding Organization skill level competencies.)
You can also pay by check:
Make Checks Payable to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Please put "X Lake MI Event" on the memo line).
Send donations to:
Heidi Schade
Special Events Coordinator
Children's Hospital Foundation
5583 Waterford Lane, Ste. A
Appleton, WI
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!
--Chaz
Saturday
THE END IS NEAR!! THE END IS NEAR!!
AS MENTIONED LAST WEEK:
In preparation for media appearances and press releases, I need to have a definitive list of those committed to the crossing by 6/6/07.
If you do not reply by the deadline, I will assume you have changed your mind.
I also need you to indicate your approval (or not) to two items: Use of your name in press releases, and whether or not we can indicate your hometown or state.
I have updated the public website www.XLakeMI.com and the member's blog, http://www.crossthelake.blogspot.com with pictures, more location information, etc.
We will be departing from Point Beach state forest, just north of Two Rivers, WI. There are campsites available right across from the beach and nearby motels/hotels in Two Rivers. The dates for being on site and ready to go are July 30-Aug. 5th. Those who wish to remain at home and commute to the site in the early morning hours are welcome to. I will give you a phone call by 10pm the night before with the local marine forecast for the next day. The "go/no go" decision will be made by group vote each morning. If it is a "no go" day, the park's lake front is a great place to tool around for the day and have some fun. For those with families, it is a great vacation spot. That is what my family will be doing this year: a few days at the campsite, a few at a local hotel. There are a variety of hiking and other fun activities nearby.
Those desiring to go, please reply to me with where you have made lodging arrangements, and a way to contact you (cell phone ideal). If you will be driving in the day we go, please let me know that and a cell phone number in case we scrap things due to weather while you are en route.
I will also need to have everyone's home address or another address where I can send you fliers for distribution around you area/your place of employment/your usual beach/your kb shop/wherever. After all, this is a fund raiser. I would hope that everyone can come up with some contributions for the Children's Hospital Foundation.
I have spent the last four days in Michigan near our destination point. Big Sable Point lighthouse, and the beach to the south are beautiful places for kiteboarding. I am envious of our members from Michigan and their beaches and wind conditions! It is also a state park, with camping. It is about a 15 minute drive north of Luddington.
Finally, we have not secured any boaters to do the crossing voluntarily as chase boats. I am having very little response from the media in assisting with this effort. The Children's Hospital Foundation monthly newsletter will be coming out soon and we will be noted there and our need highlighted. I hope to have some favorable responses from this.
I have secured positive responses from a few fishing charter captains with larger/faster boats who would do this for us for cost. This will be our final option of we cannot secure volunteers. As one boat per rider is my goal for safety, this may limit the number who can cross, unless you can "chip in" out of pocket for your own boat.
As a last item of note, all donations should be collected by members, ideally in the form of a check made out to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. If you receive any cash donations, please send a personal check of your own for the cash amount. Please indicate "X Lake MI event" on the memo line
Donations can be sent to:
Heidi Schade
Special Events Coordinator
Children's Hospital Foundation
5583 Waterford Lane, Ste A
Appleton, WI 54913
attn: X Lake MI Event
www.XLakeMI.co now also has a website donation sidebar "widget" from Google checkout.
You can also, of course, bring donations to the event.
I hope to hear back from you all soon!
Sincerely,
Chaz Bartelt
In preparation for media appearances and press releases, I need to have a definitive list of those committed to the crossing by 6/6/07.
If you do not reply by the deadline, I will assume you have changed your mind.
I also need you to indicate your approval (or not) to two items: Use of your name in press releases, and whether or not we can indicate your hometown or state.
I have updated the public website www.XLakeMI.com and the member's blog, http://www.crossthelake.blogspot.com with pictures, more location information, etc.
We will be departing from Point Beach state forest, just north of Two Rivers, WI. There are campsites available right across from the beach and nearby motels/hotels in Two Rivers. The dates for being on site and ready to go are July 30-Aug. 5th. Those who wish to remain at home and commute to the site in the early morning hours are welcome to. I will give you a phone call by 10pm the night before with the local marine forecast for the next day. The "go/no go" decision will be made by group vote each morning. If it is a "no go" day, the park's lake front is a great place to tool around for the day and have some fun. For those with families, it is a great vacation spot. That is what my family will be doing this year: a few days at the campsite, a few at a local hotel. There are a variety of hiking and other fun activities nearby.
Those desiring to go, please reply to me with where you have made lodging arrangements, and a way to contact you (cell phone ideal). If you will be driving in the day we go, please let me know that and a cell phone number in case we scrap things due to weather while you are en route.
I will also need to have everyone's home address or another address where I can send you fliers for distribution around you area/your place of employment/your usual beach/your kb shop/wherever. After all, this is a fund raiser. I would hope that everyone can come up with some contributions for the Children's Hospital Foundation.
I have spent the last four days in Michigan near our destination point. Big Sable Point lighthouse, and the beach to the south are beautiful places for kiteboarding. I am envious of our members from Michigan and their beaches and wind conditions! It is also a state park, with camping. It is about a 15 minute drive north of Luddington.
Finally, we have not secured any boaters to do the crossing voluntarily as chase boats. I am having very little response from the media in assisting with this effort. The Children's Hospital Foundation monthly newsletter will be coming out soon and we will be noted there and our need highlighted. I hope to have some favorable responses from this.
I have secured positive responses from a few fishing charter captains with larger/faster boats who would do this for us for cost. This will be our final option of we cannot secure volunteers. As one boat per rider is my goal for safety, this may limit the number who can cross, unless you can "chip in" out of pocket for your own boat.
As a last item of note, all donations should be collected by members, ideally in the form of a check made out to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. If you receive any cash donations, please send a personal check of your own for the cash amount. Please indicate "X Lake MI event" on the memo line
Donations can be sent to:
Heidi Schade
Special Events Coordinator
Children's Hospital Foundation
5583 Waterford Lane, Ste A
Appleton, WI 54913
attn: X Lake MI Event
www.XLakeMI.co now also has a website donation sidebar "widget" from Google checkout.
You can also, of course, bring donations to the event.
I hope to hear back from you all soon!
Sincerely,
Chaz Bartelt
Departure Site: Point Beach State Park
We will be departing from Point Beach State Forest, just north of Two Rivers, WI.
The site has a couple miles of clean, beautiful sandy beach. It is shallow for a ways out into the lake, so nice surf is to be had. The lake bottom there is mainly sand with some pebbles mixed in. The shoreline varies from 50 feet to 250+ feet wide. There are some sharper reeds in the dunes that you wouldn't want to put a kite into. There are some dunes/bluffs between the shore and the park, making the winds for launching a bit fun sometimes, but it is still a sweet spot for kiteboarding or just about any beach/water activity.
For camp site reservations visit http://www.wisconsinstateparks.reserveamerica.com/jsp/search/range_search.jsp?selectedPark=60035
Destination: Big Sable Point Lighthouse & Dunes State Park, Luddington, MI
The beaches here are even better than were we departed from: 100 feet to 100 yards of white powder. Again, shallow approach from off shore with some surf and sand bars fairly far out. The view is spectacular, as the point juts out into the lake with nothing but miles of beach and ususally not a human in sight.
It is a 1.5 mile walk to the Dunes State park main entrance, but much shorter distance to the campsites there.
Luddington is about 10 minutes down the road to the South.
Sunday
Friday
Logo?
I needed a logo for the flyer to put up at marinas looking for help with chase boats.
I am no artist, so this was all I came up with.
If anyone has something better, please let us all know.
Best Weather
I need your feedback on this one.
I have gone over the numbers from the weather station closest to Two Rivers, WI, the northern mid lake MI buoy, and the station at Big Sable Point, MI.
I wanted to pick a week where, historically, we will have a good chance of favorable weather.
I was looking though the yearly historical data for the following:
-water temp. in the surface layer that is accomodating.
-wind speed 12kts. plus, gusts below 24 kts.
-wind direction same or relatively the same at all three stations throughout the day.
-wind speed fairly similar throughout the day.
-winds not too calm in a.m. for start by 10am
-wind direction generally out of the W.N.W.
-air temp that changes only minimally from 10am-6pm (in other words: no fronts passing through...)
-waves below 2 meters.
I looked at mid July through mid September. I was going to plug it into Excel, but didn't have to, the best week was very apparent.
Based upon these criteria, the best week to go is the first week in August.
That's when I put in for vacation at my work, so I can be ready to go if the weather is favorable (and we have chase boats...)
If you'd like to look at the raw data personally, visit:
Kewaunee, WI:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=KWNW3
Mid Lake Buoy:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=45002
Big Sable Point, MI:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=BSBM4
Please look for anything I missed or anything of concern, and please let me know if you find anything.
My biggest concern with that week, it that the usual "hot, sticky August" day doesn't have much wind, except at the shoreline. We need a day just with a high pressure system parked over, say MO, IA or S. IL; or a low parked north of lake Superior, with a steady wind.
--Chaz
I have gone over the numbers from the weather station closest to Two Rivers, WI, the northern mid lake MI buoy, and the station at Big Sable Point, MI.
I wanted to pick a week where, historically, we will have a good chance of favorable weather.
I was looking though the yearly historical data for the following:
-water temp. in the surface layer that is accomodating.
-wind speed 12kts. plus, gusts below 24 kts.
-wind direction same or relatively the same at all three stations throughout the day.
-wind speed fairly similar throughout the day.
-winds not too calm in a.m. for start by 10am
-wind direction generally out of the W.N.W.
-air temp that changes only minimally from 10am-6pm (in other words: no fronts passing through...)
-waves below 2 meters.
I looked at mid July through mid September. I was going to plug it into Excel, but didn't have to, the best week was very apparent.
Based upon these criteria, the best week to go is the first week in August.
That's when I put in for vacation at my work, so I can be ready to go if the weather is favorable (and we have chase boats...)
If you'd like to look at the raw data personally, visit:
Kewaunee, WI:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=KWNW3
Mid Lake Buoy:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=45002
Big Sable Point, MI:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=BSBM4
Please look for anything I missed or anything of concern, and please let me know if you find anything.
My biggest concern with that week, it that the usual "hot, sticky August" day doesn't have much wind, except at the shoreline. We need a day just with a high pressure system parked over, say MO, IA or S. IL; or a low parked north of lake Superior, with a steady wind.
--Chaz
Tuesday
Weekly Newsletter
"A day late and a dollar short..."
Sorry for the delay on getting the "X Lake MI" newsletter. vol.1 completed. I had promised some of you this by Sunday, but my "real" job reared it's ugly head and I had to work on Sunday.
But, anyway, welcome all. I am not a proficient writer, but will do my best.
I wanted to thank you all for your interest in this event.
The blog site xlakemi.com covers many of the basic ideas about the crossing. However, many other ideas/problems/concepts need some unified debate...
I wanted to use a weekly newsletter format to answer questions that have come up from various folks without having to do individual e-mails and to foster a sense of community.
After all, we all must be a bit nuts, so let's revel in our own uniqueness, shall we? :)
Anyway, there are a lot of "Big Questions" asked so far to cover so here they are and what I know about them as of now:
1) Who's in Charge?: You are. This is your group, our group. Not mine. I just wanted to do this and knew I'd need a group to do it. I am just sort of the mouthpiece, since I opened my mouth on a Chicago forum and did a blog page on it as much to reaffirm to myself that this is possible, as to attract others. This is not something to attempt alone. We need each other. I appreciate you banding together with me.
2) Who are the sponsors? Right now, without any more publicity, it looks like we are. No corporate sponsorship, but, then again, this means no one to answer to. Not a bad deal. Also, we get to use our own favorite equipment.
3) How much will it cost? Now that's a good question! It will depend upon how many boaters we can persuade to be a safety boat for free. I would prefer one boat per rider. We all have different equipment, with different speeds and different skills, so having you own personal boat with a fellow kiteboarder on board for emergencies, water/food handoffs, relaunches and to run ahead of you and help break the waves will make for a smoother and more safe crossing for all. Besides, someone has to do the pictures/video for us to show our kids/grandkids someday... :)
4) Why tie this into a fundraiser? See #3 above. I am hoping we can get some folks to donate some tax deductible boat time and gas for a cause. Worst case scenario: we get some free boats/boaters, but have to reimburse them for the gas. A fundraiser also gets a lot more publicity than we can generate ourselves. If anyone has a better way to achieve this end, please put it out for group discussion.
5) How would money be raised? There would be the efforts of all of us bugging friends, relatives, coworkers, strangers, merchants we frequent, as well as a web site for credit card donations.
6) Who's in charge of the money? You are responsible for any donations you receive until they are sent in to the charity. Please let the charity contact person know when you send any checks/funds. The charity will be the agent for the bank account that the donation website links to. I do not want to be too involved in this aspect, nor would any of you, I would guess. I just want to cross Lake MI.
7) When is the best time to go? Another good question. The more I hear from the KB community, the more I am being told to push this off until late August. Now, that is folks speaking from their observations and gut impressions from past experience. I want, and I think you would, too, some more scientific data on historical wind direction/speed/air temp. I am currently looking into doing just that, If anyone knows a meteorologist, or ould like to crunch the numbers for all of us, please let me know. I want to do this with the greatest chance of success and safety.
8) Who are we raising funds for? So far we have two contenders: UW Children's Cancer Research Center and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Open to more suggestions... Final decision will be by the group after we receive any more suggestions.
9) Who is all going? So far, the interested parties are in the "To" box above. If you would like to do a name/address/phone swap, it would only be among those who give specific approval.
10) How do we all communicate together? I am trying to use Google and the XLakeMI.com site as an "organization." That would allow us to use all of Google's services for free: online collaboration, e-mail accounts for us all, group forum discussion, etc. Again, if anyone has a better way to collaborate online, let me know. That would dispense with the need for a weekly newsletter and we could just log in and see what's happening at any time. In the meantime, I have set up a "team blog" we can all view and post to: http://xthelake.blogspot.com. You should have received an invitation by "Administrator" (that was me, setting it up) to join the team blog in your e-mail in box.
11) Is this non-profit? Yes. I have applied for a non profit unincorporated association designation with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The name is X Lake MI, U.A. ("unincorporated association"). I have pulled the "Google Adsense" ads from the " XLakeMI.com" site until we have a place for any revenue to go from these that we can agree on. The ad for "free viral" marketing remains, as it helps get "hits" to the site to increase awareness and does bot generate any revenue.
12) What next? I will immediately notify you if I have success in setting up a Google site for us all to join in and post in. Otherwise, please use the non-public Google blog: http://xthelake.blogspot.com.
I guess that's it.
Hope this was informative, yet only infused with a bit of boredom, not too much.
Take Care!
Visit http://xthelake.blogspot.com and start meeting/posting with the rest of the crew!
Sincerely,
Chaz
Sorry for the delay on getting the "X Lake MI" newsletter. vol.1 completed. I had promised some of you this by Sunday, but my "real" job reared it's ugly head and I had to work on Sunday.
But, anyway, welcome all. I am not a proficient writer, but will do my best.
I wanted to thank you all for your interest in this event.
The blog site xlakemi.com covers many of the basic ideas about the crossing. However, many other ideas/problems/concepts need some unified debate...
I wanted to use a weekly newsletter format to answer questions that have come up from various folks without having to do individual e-mails and to foster a sense of community.
After all, we all must be a bit nuts, so let's revel in our own uniqueness, shall we? :)
Anyway, there are a lot of "Big Questions" asked so far to cover so here they are and what I know about them as of now:
1) Who's in Charge?: You are. This is your group, our group. Not mine. I just wanted to do this and knew I'd need a group to do it. I am just sort of the mouthpiece, since I opened my mouth on a Chicago forum and did a blog page on it as much to reaffirm to myself that this is possible, as to attract others. This is not something to attempt alone. We need each other. I appreciate you banding together with me.
2) Who are the sponsors? Right now, without any more publicity, it looks like we are. No corporate sponsorship, but, then again, this means no one to answer to. Not a bad deal. Also, we get to use our own favorite equipment.
3) How much will it cost? Now that's a good question! It will depend upon how many boaters we can persuade to be a safety boat for free. I would prefer one boat per rider. We all have different equipment, with different speeds and different skills, so having you own personal boat with a fellow kiteboarder on board for emergencies, water/food handoffs, relaunches and to run ahead of you and help break the waves will make for a smoother and more safe crossing for all. Besides, someone has to do the pictures/video for us to show our kids/grandkids someday... :)
4) Why tie this into a fundraiser? See #3 above. I am hoping we can get some folks to donate some tax deductible boat time and gas for a cause. Worst case scenario: we get some free boats/boaters, but have to reimburse them for the gas. A fundraiser also gets a lot more publicity than we can generate ourselves. If anyone has a better way to achieve this end, please put it out for group discussion.
5) How would money be raised? There would be the efforts of all of us bugging friends, relatives, coworkers, strangers, merchants we frequent, as well as a web site for credit card donations.
6) Who's in charge of the money? You are responsible for any donations you receive until they are sent in to the charity. Please let the charity contact person know when you send any checks/funds. The charity will be the agent for the bank account that the donation website links to. I do not want to be too involved in this aspect, nor would any of you, I would guess. I just want to cross Lake MI.
7) When is the best time to go? Another good question. The more I hear from the KB community, the more I am being told to push this off until late August. Now, that is folks speaking from their observations and gut impressions from past experience. I want, and I think you would, too, some more scientific data on historical wind direction/speed/air temp. I am currently looking into doing just that, If anyone knows a meteorologist, or ould like to crunch the numbers for all of us, please let me know. I want to do this with the greatest chance of success and safety.
8) Who are we raising funds for? So far we have two contenders: UW Children's Cancer Research Center and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Open to more suggestions... Final decision will be by the group after we receive any more suggestions.
9) Who is all going? So far, the interested parties are in the "To" box above. If you would like to do a name/address/phone swap, it would only be among those who give specific approval.
10) How do we all communicate together? I am trying to use Google and the XLakeMI.com site as an "organization." That would allow us to use all of Google's services for free: online collaboration, e-mail accounts for us all, group forum discussion, etc. Again, if anyone has a better way to collaborate online, let me know. That would dispense with the need for a weekly newsletter and we could just log in and see what's happening at any time. In the meantime, I have set up a "team blog" we can all view and post to: http://xthelake.blogspot.com. You should have received an invitation by "Administrator" (that was me, setting it up) to join the team blog in your e-mail in box.
11) Is this non-profit? Yes. I have applied for a non profit unincorporated association designation with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The name is X Lake MI, U.A. ("unincorporated association"). I have pulled the "Google Adsense" ads from the " XLakeMI.com" site until we have a place for any revenue to go from these that we can agree on. The ad for "free viral" marketing remains, as it helps get "hits" to the site to increase awareness and does bot generate any revenue.
12) What next? I will immediately notify you if I have success in setting up a Google site for us all to join in and post in. Otherwise, please use the non-public Google blog: http://xthelake.blogspot.com.
I guess that's it.
Hope this was informative, yet only infused with a bit of boredom, not too much.
Take Care!
Visit http://xthelake.blogspot.com and start meeting/posting with the rest of the crew!
Sincerely,
Chaz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
