Getting Medieval

Last Saturday we got all pissed off after the second AC race was cancelled due to wind conditions. (Well, the whole f-ing lot got cancelled today, but I digress)

So--mainly because his team (Oracle USA) won--husband was elated.  And thus the statement: I want a turkey leg!

However odd that might sound, or maybe not knowing the crowd we hang with, turkey legs were within 20 minutes of us.

Yep, we got medieval. 

The KC Renaissance Festival has been around for awhile, originally it was started in 1977 as a benefit for the KC Art Institute, since 1999 it's now it's own festival and the grounds are static--meaning they don't pack up and move.

In the past 10 years we've seen it expand a lot. It makes for a very cool atmosphere. (Caveat: We go later because most of the kidlings have left). For several years we were lucky enough to get the invite to go to the media night...free booze and food? Seriously, who's going to say bad things? But times and jobs have changed and we lost our free pass.

As usual, we drank, inadvertently became part of a show (or two), almost bought costumes (because the spouse likes bustiers) got turkey legs, yadda yadda yadda.

Then, we had the BRILLIANT idea of learning to use medieval weapons. Seriously what can go wrong here?  HA! NOTHING did, fooled you!  However, I did event new ways to shoot a bow and arrow. But, we were laughing so hard we didn't think of taking a picture of the target. It's called the Special K horizontal bullseye.  (or Velcro Robin Hood)

I'M KATNISS!!!
(Hunger Games for the rest of you...)

Tim tried his hand at hatchet throwing, but I know my limits at handling sharp pointy (or bladed) objects.

He's actually behind the guy in front, but no way was I going to stand behind to take a picture.

What? Don't you walk your llamas home from work?
Sheesh!

I tried to take more pics, but as soon as a camera is seen they want you in the picture. No thanks.

But, still, LOVE going to the RenFest.

Race photos-America's Cup

In no particular order.

More America's Cup photos

SFFD boat starting the proceedings.

California Air National Guard buzzing the race course.

Red Bull aerial team coming in for landing at Marina Green.

Food service cluster**k.

Hey cruisers--earn extra money, turn your sails into billboards!

The official committe boat at the end of Race 2.  Yeah, baby.

Our Kiwi buds with their funny shirts.  Massey Ferguson is a tractor for all you city folk.
Like the upside down Oracle.

We are large, loud and smelly and sometimes like to get on your boat.

Getting the marks in place.

Second day of races on top of Pier 39 parking garage.
(Another rant, the feed they had was YouTube, which stalled out so the announcing was 20 secs late)

Other sporting fans were there. Green Bay Packer fans.
(Note the ETNZ shore crew checking them out.)

Inside the Peroni Sports bar--which was filling up with Sammy Hagar fans,
he was playing Saturday night at the pavilion.

Jimmy Spithill and Dean Barker after Sunday's races.

Stuff that just cracks me up--look on the right. Yes, recycle your Mr. Potato Head here.

My main man Dean.
He was being gracious for fan photos, and husband was trying to encourage me
to have my pic taken with him.  However, I felt for the guy, he looked more like he
wanted a shower and a nap.  

Opening Weekend--Races 1 & 2

We watched the first two races in the grandstands at Marina Green.  Saturday was sold out.  Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the event management people need to really get their crap together.  Especially considering the money they asked for the grandstand seats.

They estimated about 15,000 at Marina green......approximately 6 bartenders.  Sailors and sailing fans--six bartenders.  Needless to say it got a bit ugly.

The poor people working had to deal with a lot of grumbling and I felt sorry for them.  Even getting a soda or sandwich to eat was a pain in the butt.

Don't get me started on getting water--since they are trying to be green, no bottled water was sold, you had to fill up in their hydration stations, and they'd even sell you a water bottle for about $25 to refill.  Arrrgh.

So enough grousing.  

Before the AC races started we were treated to the Multihull Internationals on Hobie 16 Beachcats, fun to watch, they slogged a bit since the wind was being flukey.

One of the AC45s.  Illegal weight removed?  Don't know.

Tim playing with remote control boats.

They look so tiny next to the big boats.

Go baby go!

 

Both boats foiling down wind.

Back to San Francisco--America's Cup Time--Restaurant Review

Just a quick weekend trip for the first four races.  Definitely Kiwi nation there, so I had good company. The spouse keeps calling me a turncoat, but I gotta remain loyal to my boys.

When we were there in July we saw this funky little place inside one of the Pier warehouse buildings, we weren't sure what it was until later when I read about it online.

The Waiheke Island Yacht Club is a pop-up restaurant from New Zealand put together especially for the America's Cup.  I spoke with the general manager and they are thinking of finding a more permanent location after their lease us up in December.  Depends if business keeps up.  Follow the link above to see picks on how they put the place together.

Not exactly a cheap place to eat, but delicious and fun.  Everything is pretty much cooked on induction ovens.  Fresh greens, homemade butter.  Yum. Yum. Yum.

Ironically, because they are under the auspices of the America's Cup, they weren't supposed to serve New Zealand wines since Napa Valley had the contract.  But they snuck in a few as 'specials'.  Hell yes. You are a New Zealand restaurant, bring on the Sauv Blanc, people!

One of the shipping containers the restaurant arrived in.  Seriously.

Bad things were happening to the sheep.  Alcohol was involved.

Part of the open kitchen.

The Yeah Nah--whiskey, sherry, creme yvette and smoke plum juice.

I should add the drink was rather strong.  Tim trying his best New Zealand accent.
It didn't work out.

One of the New Zealand offerings.
This is actually a chardonnay.  It was awesome.

I want this micro-green garden in my kitchen.

The bar area, saw some of the sailors there on Sunday night.

Our first course, a ceviche and venison tartare.

Next New Zealand lamb and smoked duck breast. 

The boys at work in the kitchen.