Part Two Saturday, November 6, 2004...
Saturday
morning proved to be another perfect morning. A few boats went to Mount Dora’s
Gilbert Park to launch, while the rest went to Wooten Park in Tavares. A 2-day
garden show was going on in Dora, so getting around with a boat was testy let
alone trying to park the trailer. Most launched at Wooten.
By the way, Friday was also a début for new boats,
§ Mike & Terry Howicks Rerun,
§ Phil & Jean’s Glory Days, and
§ Our new Puppy Love,
All were shinning and ready to go. Should have mentioned that yesterday, but just lots going on.
Al Nally and his guests were at the ramp and were taken out for rides by some of the skiffers while others just drove around waiting for all the boats to gather. Once we were all in the water and engines warmed, we were on our way across the lake to play off the park area at Dora.
Once in sight of the Lighthouse off Gilbert Park, the skiffs (10 of us this time) formed a straight line, tucked in close to each other and chose a safe speed around 50 MPH to introduce ourselves, again, to the public at the Garden Show. We ran a couple circles in view of the crowds with the outside boats like usual, putting on the show - leaping out of the water, engines revving, and making the lake boil. We were here…
Most all of us ran a few hot laps before settling down and venturing over to the docks to get ready for the Sunnylands Chapter of ACBS Annual Meeting. There was plenty of help from the spectators at the docks to tie up. We grabbed a bite to eat from the vendors in the park, and some snuck ice cream in and answered questions about our boats. The ladies in our group were off to go shopping while the guys (100%) of the skiffers went to the meeting.
The meeting was uneventful. We met the incoming officers
and pledged our support for the ACBS activities. We might even run an event for
the chapter. One event that was discussed was a race boat regatta similar to
Clayton but in March before the Dora show. The show could be hosted at the City
of Eustis lakefront where there is plenty of water, ramp space and launch areas
for cranes. Eustis currently hosts a national drag boat show there now. Email
me on your thoughts and we’ll see if there is an interest.
After the meeting an invitation was extended to party at the outgoing President, Pete Williams’s, home on the lake. Some partied with Pete, and the rest made their way back to the ramp to get ready for a Mexican evening at “Amigo’s”.
Margaritas Friday night with a Buffett-like band, than again tonight with the Mexican restaurant, I like to think I’ve seen every type of margaritas there is. We took over the board room with high back soft pillowed chairs and arm rests, just perfect for me to sneak that nap in.
There were 33 skiffers and Dave Yeager’s special guests Mr. & Mrs. Simpson. They are the owners of Simpson’s Groves, and quite a bit of Mount Dora landscape. Matter of fact, the launch and water area at Gilbert Park is Called “Simpson’s Cove”… Pop Simpson was Mr. Mount Dora…
We
partied from 6 till around 10, and I was toast. It was another perfect day
in the lower 80’s again (for you skiffers in the frozen tundra) and everyone
had a safe and fun day. One side note... Claire rode with me this
weekend, so no spectacular air shows. She’s been a sport, and very quick to
point out when the tack hits 6000 rpm. Esther is riding with Skip so 4000 is his
number this weekend. Terry and Kathy riding with Mike and Cliff keep telling me
their nowhere near their limits??? Jean, riding with Phil, is just happy not to
be in that D@%$%^ flat bottom bouncing around. (Hey Jean, wait till Phil figures
it out.) Phil is our inside boat this weekend. Betty riding with Billy has
learned to control her arms from flopping, and wants more speed. (Arms
flopping???!!!)
Tomorrow, the infamous Haines Creek Lock
