Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Most Misunderstood Name

When you hear the term Dead Bird Buggy Bash, what does that say to you?

Once upon a time I was an honorary Texan living in Austin. During the Thanksgiving Holidays, instead of coming home to North Carolina's Outer Banks to spend time with family, the wife and I would join our second family along the Gulf Coast in Galveston where we would fly kites, socialize, and celebrate the holiday.

Our second family was a group of kite and wind traction enthusiasts that brought Thanksgiving to the beach. They named it Dead Bird Buggy Bash (DBBB). No, it wasn't for the expired shorebirds you might see along the roads or beach. It was for the turkeys. This was the first place I had ever seen anyone deep fry a turkey. A whole turkey. Several, in fact...



Always a feast. Not only the moistest turkey you could put in your mouth, but hams, brisket, gulf shrimp, a mess of fixin's and sides, plus cobbler cooked in a dutch oven.



Everyone brings something to share and the group chips in for the turkeys. It's a warm, welcoming Texan environment that makes you feel right at home.



The beaches on each end of Galveston Island are large and mostly hard pack, making it perfect for landboards, kite buggys and land sailors.



I was at another event recently and the topic of DBBB was raised. It was during these conversations I realized that most people had no idea that "dead bird" was a dysphemism for turkey. One individual had attended DBBB a couple times before they realized the connection.

Now they know...and so do you.

After a two-year hiatus I look forward to returning this year. Hope to see you there.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Wildwood Buggy Bash

Wildwood Buggy Bash is held on the expansive beaches of Wildwood, New Jersey. Once famous for boardwalk amusements and ferris wheels, this area is fast becoming the most popular spot on the east coast for kite buggying.



Over one-hundred power kite enthusiasts were in attendance this October. Plenty of wind and sunshine brought smiles to everyone’s face all weekend long. HQ Kites was on hand with a ton of gear for demo, including the new Apex III, Montana VI and Toxic. One rider liked the new Apex so much, he rode off one morning and did not return all day! Friday winds were very strong and gusty out of the west. Turbulence from buildings made for bumpy wind. Beamers were the kite of choice. Nothing munches a gust better than a Beamer! We look forward to returning to Wildwood next May for the spring edition.

http://www.wildwoodbuggybash.com/