Rusty and Jeff at the Tiki Shack

October 23rd, 2007

Parker, Arizona. -WARNING – AMEBOAS DETECTED

The BG crew took a road trip to Parker, AZ out to the infamous Tiki Shack. Troop General Rusty Malinoski, Eco Trooper Jeff McKee, video mogul Greg Browning and Body Glove photographer Mark Kawakami packed it in for the 4 hour drive to the desert.

Managed by the 4 Star Boss, Billy Meistrell and his wife Karen, the Tiki Shack has all of the ingredients to make your visit the best few days of your life out on the Colorado River. No trip to the river is complete with out your specialized power-driven vessel; in this case it was the Master Craft CSX, the latest addition to their salt water/freshwater conversion series.

With double ups on his mind, Rusty was the first in the water for a few warm up runs. Once the glassy flats were found the tension mounted and emotions ran high as Rusty launched. He went higher than anyone and stomps his landings like no one I have ever seen. He rode for a while without any complaints about his, recently mended, broken wrist. The General threw twists, rolls and grabs like it was going out of style. There were no 1080’s this trip, but give the guy a break he just broke his wrist!

Next up was the Eco Trooper McKee (MAAA KKKEEEEE – go ahead sound it out). Jeff sat on the swim step before he got started and recalled his last wakeboarding experience behind the back of a ponga in Balondra Bay on the coast of La Paz, Mexico. As the CSX captain, General Rusty, gunned the throttle, that memory disappeared and he got whipped into an ECO frenzy as he rode along the tall grass of the river. A few runs later he was charging the wake and caught some true hang time between the bumps. The sun started to get low and the last ride of the day belonged to the General. The sky went orange, red and gold as the sun shifted to sleep mode and Rusty’s last double up put a smile on everyone’s face while Rusty gleamed with happiness.

Dinner, margaritas and beer sent the troops off to a yawning slumber, only to arise at 5 am with a tap on the door from Greg Browning. Hot to get the video day started Greg announced there was perfect glass to the crew, breakfast was mowed down and sacs were filled. In the most ferocious game of Rock, Paper, Scissors ever witnessed, Jeff was first out for an icy morning run. As he leaned into the first pass, we realized that it was going to be another ideal day. Rusty was anxious to go out next for some rock hops and shimmering glass cuts, the photos tell the story.

Yet no trip to the river would be complete without a little nudity. Mr. McKee being the super ECO trooper that he is felt compelled to recognize his bond and deep respect for the world around him. So he ripped off petroleum derived boardshorts and life vest, and made peace with the water that so obligingly lets him do what he loves, wakeboard.

In the end it was the all about the ECO trooper grass slides and the General claiming that he was back to 100%.