Steve's Landing July 14,
2007
Cruise Leaders: Ed and Marion HerndonJune was a Rainy Month and July was Following the tradition. While the forecast was for Isolated Thunderstorms, the fact was, Matagorda County was Having a Deluge and it was coming our Way. Our Friends From Matagorda, Stoney and Hannah Mc Gerald, had gone to Steve's landing the day before on their M/Y Indian Outlaw. They made it in but were having problems with their out drive. I advised them to stay put for the weekend and Get it fixed when they get to Clear Lake.
Jerry and Nel Giallanza of Korky were our Guests for the cruise and they arrive for our slightly delayed departure. At least it was not raining when we pulled out. Remedy passed A Goode Ketch going out the Channel. "Why are you passing them?" Marion asked with a tone in her voice.
"Because we are the Cruise Leaders, and We get to go First," I replied somewhat sheepishly.
Wind-Swept had checked in early and was waiting for us when we got to Marker 2. We were only 15 minutes late. Ocean Star was already Half way to Redfish with full sails up. Alma de Vento was flying her Beautiful tricolor Head sail. We heard from Freedom's Wing they were out there somewhere near Red fish.
Motor Yacht Promise checked in to say they would not be coming... some lame excuse about the weather was offered. Then while we were under way M/Y Royal Salute called to announce that they and M/Y TiKi Island would be Joining the Fleet.
A Goode Ketch called to say they were going back due to engine overheating. Then about an Hour Later They called to say they were operating OK and were coming.
The wind was Cooperating; it was about 6 Kts and from the Southwest. We were going to get to sail East Bay to Bolivar on a single long reach. That is very unusual. We had a relaxing sail all the way. After Bolivar engine power was added to make Steve's Landing Before Cocktail Hour.
Stoney was there to help the arriving Sail boats get situated. We had four boats Over 45 feet long which completely filled the dock. The two smaller sailboats rafted to Ocean Star and Remedy. All three of the Power boats were on the ICW Dock.
Marion, Jerry & Nel Giallanza, Hanna
McGerald, Ed, Alice & Steve O'Brien, Lorna & David Glascock,
Margie & Robert Vanburkleo
On our Cruise from Bolivar we noticed large flights of Pelicans headed westward. Jerry quipped, "They are Louisianan Katrina Pelicans, just a little slow getting here." An so we decided to do an Audoubon Census and count them.
I like counting Birds because it is really tricky when they are flying or moving about. I count by fives. Its easier than one at a time. Then at the end of the count I round up or down 2 or 3 birds and announce, "That's 37." or "That's 23."
Here is a flight of 23 Pelicans headed West. Or is it 25 with 2 hidden behind the wrapped Head sail. Any way, by the time we finished the weekend, we has counted 1,347 pelicans. "That's our count; and we are sticking to it."
StoneyMcGerald, Many you met at the bar Plus, Bill & Ellen Hartzog, Rick & Becky Johnson, Ron Gerdes
Happy Hour everyone brings something to the Party.
The Landing Had a Band on Saturday evening.. They did Smoothe Reggae.
Nel Giallanza, Gary & Juli Graham drove down, Ed & Marion, Jerry Giallanza
Stoney & Hanna, Steve & Alice, Lorna & David
After Dinner: There was continued
music by the band, Mudslides on the cockpit of Remedy, and a continuous
lightning display. BUT No Rain.
In the Morning: I awoke to see my Big Red Ball (fender) floating East in the ICW. It had not been securely tied and came loose from the boat over night. Then the Rains Came so we washed the cockpit and the cushions, put up the Enclosure and dried out the cockpit in preparation for the trip home.
Royal Salute would be the first boat to depart; they knew of my loss and went on a hunt for the Fender. Alas they did not find it in the Blinding Rain. I loved that Fender.
TowBoat/US came and took M/Y Indian Outlaw in tow to Marine Max on Clear Lake. The rains eased up long enough for Wind-Swept and Alma De Vento to get underway. Next AGoode Ketch departed without Fanfare.
The Rains came again in torrents so the last three boats decided to wait a while. What the heck, we are on Vacation! No need to hurry Home. It was a good decision. We later found out that Wind-Swept was so Blinded by the rains that they had to stop. Our Patience was rewarded by a Rain free Sail All the way Home.
Milestones:
It was the First Trip with TMCA for Freedom's Wing.
It was First Successful trip with TMCA for Alma de Vento. The Previous two they had problems.
Lesson from my Past: "If its Raining on the Gulf Coast, it will stop in 34 minutes."
A trip to remember!
An Inane Movie
In the Morning: I awoke to see my Big Red Ball (fender) floating East in the ICW. It had not been securely tied and came loose from the boat over night. Then the Rains Came so we washed the cockpit and the cushions, put up the Enclosure and dried out the cockpit in preparation for the trip home.
Royal Salute would be the first boat to depart; they knew of my loss and went on a hunt for the Fender. Alas they did not find it in the Blinding Rain. I loved that Fender.
TowBoat/US came and took M/Y Indian Outlaw in tow to Marine Max on Clear Lake. The rains eased up long enough for Wind-Swept and Alma De Vento to get underway. Next AGoode Ketch departed without Fanfare.
The Rains came again in torrents so the last three boats decided to wait a while. What the heck, we are on Vacation! No need to hurry Home. It was a good decision. We later found out that Wind-Swept was so Blinded by the rains that they had to stop. Our Patience was rewarded by a Rain free Sail All the way Home.
Milestones:
It was the First Trip with TMCA for Freedom's Wing.
It was First Successful trip with TMCA for Alma de Vento. The Previous two they had problems.
Lesson from my Past: "If its Raining on the Gulf Coast, it will stop in 34 minutes."
A trip to remember!
An Inane Movie