thoughts on the clr

[kickingbug1]

    well the weather here is bad cold and raining, i finished the book i was reading and havent as yet started another. a great time to think about july. it doesnt help matters that i just finished watching the clr2012 video for the umteenth time. gotta say it does help on a glummy winter day. anyway i was going over the plans in my head and thought i might want to gain some input both from previous attendees and first timers (of which im hoping for at least three). last year as in the past we had basically two meet and greets, one informal and the other "formal". the informal one involved sarah and i meeting sailors who showed up before friday, with beer and offers to help rig and launch boats. it was predictable that it would end up with a bunch of us sitting on the patio of the marina clubhouse drinking and lying about sailing prowess, catching up with the years events and meeting new friends. always a bunch of fun and laughs. the "formal" meet and greet at the Bretz winnery is much the same with a good dinner. i make a short speech( very short) and off we go. again a great time that i look forward to each year. saturday we race. now "race" has many definitions. i dont think our race much meets any of those except it has a start line (whistle) and a finish (where the first place boat anchors----last year Coles Creek. it worked our better last year. i decided that we should just race from point a to point b, no weather mark. the weather cooperated last time giving us a nice easy reach from start to finish. for new attendees the plan was---motor out from the marina and gather in front of the dam. at the signal (my red whistle) all sailors bend on sails and head east to Coles Creek on the other side of the lake. there we anchored up swam, ate and drank. after a period of time (dictated by who knows ) we all raised anchor and headed off. last year this was accompanied by strong winds out of the southwest. exiting sailing to be sure (yes sarah and i had our rail in the water a couple of times).saturday evening is the meal at the marina clubhouse. this year it will not be as time sensative since we will be having Italian beef with some appropriate sides (no Cal, rum is not a side) so no one is put in a bind timewise. this was a wonderful party last year with grass skirts, flowered shirts and sadly Carl in a coconut bra. lies are told grog is consumed, awards (real trophies this year) were presented. and laughs were a plenty. sunday after breakfast we say goodbye to the marina for another wonderful day of sailing. some sail together some seperate but we set a time for the raft up at hazlett park (the best spot to anchor and swim). be prepared to do a lot of "swimming" well floating next to the Greene's bar. floating assistance needed as one handed swimming is pretty hard work. as in years past we have dined with some of the sailors the night before they hit the road.  i hope we can have everyone up to the Chop House in ST rose like last year. they sure had good food didnt they?     well the point of this whole long long story is to invite suggestions from all attendees in regards to activities. it has always been low keyed and loose. the only thing i might add is a cornhole game or washers for saturday night and maybe a night sail (which is way too cool) im gonna wire my boat for lights this year.  well you know where to reach me either here or at fordtruck52@yahoo. no idea is too silly (remember what my hat looked like last year)

[Salty19]

Sounds good, Kick. CLR has become the premier Compac owners event, alongside the Suncat Nationals.

Us CLR guys (and gals) pretty much have this event down pat.  Thank you very much Kick for all you do to keep this event the great time it is.

For newbies, if you're within a days drive of St. Louis and you want to sail new waters (a VERY nice lake!!) and meet some others, this is THE event to book.

I'll post some event details (lodging, logistics) in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, get the time off work and look for an update on specifics to book the marina, hotel, etc.

Sounds like Bruce Lafayette is the sailor to beat this year.   If the wind is light I might just have a chance!!

[Greene]

Kick and Sarah,

We anxiously await our annual trek down to Carlyle.  The sailing, laughter and great people make this such a fun event.  Although we only get to see most of the attendees once a year, we feel they are all good friends.  You two do such an awesome job of hosting the rendezvous each year.  If you haven't attended in the past folks, you are missing a lot of fun. 

Brenda and I plan on spending a few extra days at the marina, but we haven't scheduled the days off yet.

Note:  Bruce and Rich are not to be allowed to crew the same boat in this years race.  That combo is just plain unfair to us normal sailors.



Mike and Brenda at the CLR 2012 party


Mike and B

[kickingbug1]

im sure that mike and brenda would agree that the clr isnt mainly about the sailing (although that has been great). it is about the people. sarah and i have had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with some truly wonderful people. we have had so much fun hosting this event every summer. new friends end up becoming "old friends" and maybe even lifelong friends. it all began when i was lucky enough to see an classified add in the paper. under "recreational vehicles" if you can believe it was "81" 16' com-pac. im sure glad i knew what a com-pac was. anyway that purchase led me to the website. before i knew it i was the beneficiary of so much good advice and inventive ideas that i was floored. eventually i thought "why not get some of these fine sailors together for a weekend" and well one thing led to another. the birth of the clr. to those who have attended in the past----our sincerest thanks, for those of you coming for the first time-----welcome . you will not be disappointed. sarah and i will do all we can to make the event memorable.