The weather in Wilmington was perfect. A cloudless blue sky. Balmy 70 degree temperatures. And barely a puff of wind. If we hadn't been there to fly kites, it would have been ideal!

We interrupt this idyllic weather report for an update on conditions back home in Oregon. While we were in North Carolina, a tornado/waterspout came ashore in Lincoln City, roughly one mile from our Neotsu home. An area one block wide and three blocks long was severely damaged. Tornadoes in Oregon are unusual enough to qualify as freakish.Click here for more details. Now back to our regularly-scheduled Update.

This was the fourth Cape Fear Kite Festival organized by Mike and Judy Agner. Our plan was to break the Octopus Record and fliers from around the country brought big bags to the beach.

The group included Mike Agner, Jeff Burka, David Gomberg, Susan Gomberg, Dennis Hawley, Jim Martin, Tim Maruczack, Jerry McGuire, John McEntire, Al Sparling, Darryl Waters, Brad Weiner, Debbie Zach,and Tom Zach. But with no wind to speak of on Saturday, fliers cynically claimed an informal record for the most Octopus kites in bags ever gathered but not flown in one place..

The highlight of the day was the first launch of Jeff Burka's new Crocodile, christened Tic Tock after the giant in Peter Pan lore.

"Tic" is an amazing kite, huge at 90 feet long, and the first "croc" in the USA. Even in lighter winds, he flew well.

Saturday night, we gathered for dinner, drinks, and an auction to try and pay a few festival expenses. Everyone checked online weather reports and hoped for better breezes in the morning.

By noon Sunday, there was enough wind to loft a Pilot. And with Pilots up, we could also try and launch Octos. First one, then two, then small stacks began to fill with air.

Revolution fliers graciously moved aside and yielded field space as we dug in anchors and worked to get more big kites aloft. But with 13 pieces inflated, the effort stalled. Winds were too light and flight was too unstable. And perhaps most important, all 22 kites were no longer on the beach. No sense simply tying a record. We settled for a the company of good friends on a sunny day and a show that still awed most bystanders.