I do have to say, "Talk about a hell of a good time!"  

The first event Paul and I have planned with all its confusion, was absolutely great.  We started out worried about the weather, because of a cold front that was coming in that would possibly ruin the boat ride.  However, it moved right along, getting all the rain out of the way and leaving us with a beautiful weekend.

Saturday morning began when we all met at our usual boat ramp on 441 on Lake Eustis.  To our surprise and enjoyment, we had more boats there getting ready than we expected.  We were glad to have all friends, from near and far, come on over to our area and have a beautiful day of boating.  But as any skiff event goes there are always it's little quirks. The  Orange Crate started her day off playing tricks on Paul.  He was ready go to but she was not.  Based on Pauls' version, he claims he unhooked her from the trailer before they put it in the lake HOWEVER her line somehow re-hooked itself to the trailer (the jury is still out on that one).  Once Paul raced up to the bow of the boat and re-unlatched the Orange Crate, he pull over to the dock in a way that I had to use my body in strange positions I am not accustomed to, leaving me vulnerable to fall into the cold lake water.  Luckily for him that did not happened and he did not have to hear about me getting soaked trying to save the boat from scratching for the rest of the day. On top of all that we got to see Marty squeeze into the rails of the Proline and Skip and Ester fighting the wind with the Century.  Claire ended up getting wet first thing in the morning, (but only her feet that is) trying to keep the Century from running aground on the ramp. 

After all the commotion of putting in was finished, we gathered around in Lake Eustis and that's when we realized the magnitude of how many boats participated.    We had a total of 14 boats that day, more than Paul and I fathomed and only 5 were locals.  (Not bad at all and you can't beat that for a first event.)  Once the boats were all warmed up, with some of the skiffers "feeling their oats" and taking a few hot laps, we were good to go. Our first part of the day was starting a trip down memory lane and reentering the Dora Canal, a fan-favorite that has not been traveled through for years by most of us.  I gotta tell ya, I've been "Jones-ing" myself to run the skiff through the canal with Paul.  It is such a beautiful and joyful ride, and Saturday was no different.  Best of all there were only a few other boats using the Dora Canal that morning so it was like! we had the place to ourselves.  What a feeling!

After cruising on down the Dora Canal we then shot through Lake Dora, to Beauclaire and on to Carlton, where we christened the calm shores of Carlton with our engines and Orange Crate played another little trick.  Paul was ready to take off again and she said uh-huh.  Pedal to the floor but no vroom vroom.  Since of course she's been worked on for the past few weeks, we had an audience coming to the rescue, only to get a little chuckle out of the fact that throttle cable was disconnected.  We reconnected and away we went back on the through the Dora Canal and away to lunch at the regular watering hole The Crazy Gator.  Unfortunately I did not attend lunch along with Ester because we were dropped off at the house to get ready for the Big Party, but from what I heard everyone had a good time at lunch and did some more boat riding through the lakes.  Can't beat that.  Ya might as well use and abuse the boats when ya got em out.

At 7 o'clock that evening part two began at our house for food, drinks and a whole lot of laughs with our Halloween costume party.  Mike Howick, by far, was our best male costume with a whole lot of response with his animated Tooth Fairy, Skip & Ester got our best couple costume with their Roman Togas, and Amanda, Marty and Claire's Dog watcher, got our best female costume for her Gangsta girl.  First practical joke of the night was with Mike Yobe and our witch (who amazed him, when he was question about his pocket pool games).  Unbeknownst to Mike that his wife Karen was speaking through the witch via a wireless microphone.  Let's just say the witch was ended up having one up on Mike.  As the night progressed our DJ had to step in and teach us white folk had to dance and got us all in with the Electric Slide, Cha-cha and Thriller, getting everyone all it.  Unfortunately before we knew it, it was midnight and day w! as finished.  But I gotta say all and all it was a great time and Paul and I are looking forward to the next one, with hopes of having an even bigger turn out. 

We Would like to thank all who participated. 


Doug Apy                         Jo Carol Too               
Rick & Susan Conn          Manana
Dick & Linda Daly          Wild Goose
Al & Patsy Engel              Project X
Cliff  Ennis                        Sun Dog                      
Marty & Claire  Ferry         Proline
Skip &  Ester Gillam          Century
John  Hoaglim                   Bad Attitude
Mike & Terry Howick          Rerun                          

Ted & Susan Parkhurst      Flatbottom
Terry Ross                        Jitterbug                    
Freddie Zeigler                   Have No Fear            
Paul & Diane                         Jetboat
 
Paul, Nicole &Timmy Mezyk     Orange Crate   Host

                   First place male Mike Howick and first place lady, Amanda Blackmon

                               

                                        First place couple; Skip & Ester Gillam