Sunday June
17 RYC Sunday Brunch
In a Solemn Conclave we
Cruisers decided not only to stay for the Brunch but that we
would stay until Monday and enjoy Rockport. Most of those who drove
down went on back around noon Sunday .
And so the Party continued into the third day without Serious
Interruption.
The Breakfast Bunch
Jude Powell, Luke Sterling, Linda Fuel, Gary & Juli Graham, John
& Peggy Allison, Marion Herndon
The other half of the table
Marion & Ed Herndon, Peggy and John
Allison, Our Hostess Jude Powell
Gary and Juli Graham
While we were at the Rockport
Yacht club Our boat was parked next to a Morgan OI 41 Wild Wings. I got to meet the Owner, Randy
Burns, when we first came. He is a member of RYC and he brought his
whole family to the Sunday brunch. It was Fathers Day and I took a
Family Photo while they were all captured at table.
One thing lead to another and we exchanged tours of each others boats.
They invited Marion and me to come to their home for a swim in the pool
and some relaxation. Here is an attempt to Introduce the whole
family.
The Burns family clockwise from the top: Benjamin, Janet &
Randy Burns, Tarah, Isabella on Mark's Lap, Renee, Then five boys:
Andrew, Colin, Michael,Aaron, and Johnny, and at last Angela.
We enjoyed their Pool and the Sangria which Master Chef Mark mixed for
the occasion. He is a professor of culinary arts at a local
college. Randy and I got into a deep discussion on time, after I
introduced him to New Age Math. I look forward to more such discussions
with him.
Janet is a talented artist. I took pictures of several of her works.
This is my favorite
I named It Mardi Gras.
Janet had not named it.
The eyes followed me around the room.
Randy and Janet are planning a trip in their boat up the coast to Clear
Lake. We have extended them a guest invitation at our Marina.
It was a wonderful break from the sailing routine.
Monday June 18
We made leisurely departure for Port O Conner and had a 7 kts. SOG sail
all the way there. Took a few minutes to buy 40 gallons of Diesel
before we docked at St Christopher's. There are now five sailboats in
our fleet; Pound
Sterling is with our original four.
While we were tyeing up our boats my generator started making a
different sound. I had last heard the sound back in
October 2002. Its a Throaty sound made by the exhaust when there is no
cooling water passing through the system. I called out, "Marion, Please
go turn off the genset Now!" ( I'm not sure I said Please and I
was probably shouting) She had heard the sound too. And in fact she had
reported earlier strange sounds of Belt slippage that my poor hearing
did not pick up. Once we were settled in with shore power on. I
opened up the Generator cover and found that the water pump would not
turn over due to slippage.. I asked Luke to come over and check
out my findings. He confirmed the Autopsy Report. Death by Cooling Water Pump Impeller
Failure! We had no more power
for the refrigerator freezer while under way. It would have to be
that way until we get back home.
Clark's Restaurant is closed on Mondays so I went shopping on my bike
for another place to eat. Jessies Mexican Grill had some seafood
specialties and they volunteered to chauffeur us to and from St
Christopher's Marina. I had the Grilled Shrimp Plate; it was Great.
Rating ***$$++++ (Note + is Quantity symbol and ++++ indicates there
will be leftovers to take home for Lunch)
There is a lot of new Home construction on canals at The Caracol in
Port O Conner. Also about 6 miles west on the ICW there is a Mile Long
subdivision being built without canals behind the wetlands. I
can't imagine where the people will come from.
Tuesday June 19
The next morning the wind is blowing 15 Kts on the Beam. It makes
getting out of the marina a bit of a challenge. Several get their bows
blown down and have to Back out into the ICW. Remedy with
shore side help from Luke and Linda manages to pivot on the aft
Starboard Piling. Once pointed south we could drive on out
forward. It was Fantastic sailing all the way across Matagorda
bay. There was a brief delay at the Colorado river and we took
the opportunity to strike all sails before getting through the
locks.
Full Bottle Barge on Matagorda bay
Patricia captured these dolphins chasing Summer Wind
Fantastic shot!
Notice to Mariners; the new
North Channel across the Bay is the ONLY way to go. Avoid the Old
Southern route. Severe shoaling is reported at Markers 99 and 105.
Three Sailboats reported having to be towed off.. The area has been
Appropriately Renamed "TowBoat US Shoals"
Question where are these Pelicans ?
Hint: taken June 19 10:41 AM
Arrival at Matagorda Harbor was uneventful. I went by Bike
to make reservations for dinner at Boudin Barn
The Waterfront Grill is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Boudin Barn is .5
miles away. Go Over the dike, then one long block west and two blocks
north . I announced this selection at Happy hour.
New Faces: Stoney Mc
Gerald, then Robert, next Hanna McGerald.
Yes that's eleven
people in the cockpit of Summer Wind.
Marion Is Missing, she was preparing Hors de Overs . Tom took the
left side of the picture and had Stoney take the right half. The splice
came out fine.
Stoney and Hanna provided Transportation to the Boudin Barn.
Stoney at the left, Hanna in the red top. By now you know everyone else.
Boudin Barn was a good choice... I
found the food better and the prices more reasonable than the
Waterfront Grill. The fried Pickles appetizer was the Best on the trip.
My Grilled Fish was Just right. Rating ****$$+++
Boudin Barn is closed on Thursday.
Wednesday June 20
It's a First Light departure because Remedy, Rambunctious,
and Summer Wind have a long way to go (68 nm) to
Harborwalk. By 6:30 we are clear of the docks. Cool Air and Pound Sterling
have selected Bridge Harbor(41 nm) as their destination.
It was Full sails and enough motor to do 6 Kts all the way.. We had a
brief Delay at the Brazos river but otherwise it was a very fast
transit. We Arrived at 5 PM. Time for a dip in the pool and
Drinks at the bar before an Elegant Dinner in the Harborwalk
Club. It was good to have Gary and Joyce along. They are members
of Lakewood and we were their Guests. Special Thanks to Joyce and
Gary for a memorable dinner.
Rating *****$$$$+++
You have got to see the Fish swimming in the Harbor's Underwater Lights
... Its Mesmerizing
Thursday June 21
How lazy can you get...
with only 30 mile to go home: we swim in the pool, Read the paper,
Clean the Marks off the Starboard Rub Rail, have some Breakfast, and
depart at 11:30. We hear Pound Sterling on the radio. They are about an
hour behind us after leaving Bridge harbor 3 hours earlier than our
departure.
Wind is Light and from the south east... the best sail was from Red Can
Bend to Texas City Dike... Going up the HSC the wind was aft and we
need the engine to make 6 Kts. It's Hot and we miss the Generator.
We did get to see Dolphins jumping on the Bow Waves of the Passing
Ships and we played the CDs for entertainment.
We were home by around 5. Tired but Thoroughly relaxed.
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