YouTube video Dong made: showing the whole weekend's experince (7:28)
Mark Twain Lake:
A 'Trophy Series II' race was scheduled for Saturday, September 25th. Angie was out of state with her mom and sisters so I enlisted the help of a friend, Dong. He's a former co-worker and originally from Thailand. Dong had expressed interest in learning to sail.
I drug Galactica to Work on Friday where Dong met me after work. This already put me 30 minutes closer to the lake! We grabbed Sub sandwiches and headed up to Mark Twain Lake; arriving at sunset. We rigged the boat up, slipped her into the water and headed across the Florida pool towards Sandy Creek cove. There was a full moon out and we approached a Catalina 250 on a late night sail, exchanged greetings and continued on. The cove I was going to anchor in was already inhabited with a boat at anchor and dark. Probably turned in already for the night.
We swung around and found a cove to anchor in; about three quarters of a mile up Pigeon Roost Creek.
I awoke before sunrise and climbed out the vberth hatch to sit back and watch the sunrise. It was gorgeous with lake affect fog ghosting around. I wished that Angie could have been there. I sat there for an hour and a half enjoying the sunrise and watching an eagle along with water fowl and some fish near the boat.
I lost an old grappling hook secondary anchor but was able to unstick my primary danforth with bit of persausion and aid from the Etec 60.
I showed Dong the basics of foresail handling and we set off towards BlackJack marina many miles away. We enjoyed a light sail while Dong learned what to do while tacking.
We arrived at the marina precisely on time for the pre-race Captain's meeting only to be met by some of the MTLSA sailors who told us the race was canceled due to the light winds of the morning.
That didn't matter, I was putting Galactica on the water no mater what...high water or gail didn't matter...we went through both. chuckle. The lake was high and it stormed quite heavily Saturday evening.
After a lunch while Galactica was docked and after watching mast repairs on Wild Goose; we headed out for an afternoon sail. Karl, the vice commodore, said that we'd do an informal midship 'race' from A dock to the C mile marker and back.
Look in the Rear view mirrors on two of these photos:)
I lost ground due to 3 necssary tacks away from a lee shore due to my poor placement of Galactica but was determined to make up for it.
I should have tacked a 4th time but managed to hold Galactica as far into the wind as she'd sail.
We skirted the promotory with the C navigational marker with less than 50 feet of clearance to the shore line (a Lee shore with storms brewing).
Notice a slightly concerned look on my face... close hulled, rocky lee shore, storm blowing in...
After a tack we passed the marker again with more wiggle room. Fortunately, the promotory was a cliff and and 56' deep as close as we were. It was an extremely fun sail!
We had a very good run back where we made up more time; during which, it began to rain. By the time I had the sail boots on and bimini top opened, the wind picked up and it rained- hard.
We enjoyed a great fish fry at the BlackJack Marina.
The storm force us inside for the fish fry and pot-luck meal. Margaritas were passed out to all who wanted -- and I wanted a couple times!
Later, a number of us boarded the 37' Tartan, Higher Porpoise and spent time swapping stories and enjoying Dark and Stormy rum while waiting for the rain to ease up.
Eventually, we cast off from the marina and enjoyed a late night, albiet cold and wet, steam back to the ramp where the tow beast awaited us. We were the only ones foolish enough to be on the lake. There was an aft port quartering wind which made the night time docking at the ramp very interesting.
After loading Galactica on to her trailer, we derigged and headed homeward. I needed to get back and unfortunately, couldn't wait until morning. Dong seemed to really enjoy experiencing a pocket cruiser sailing experience.
