coast guard on the Rio Grande

[ahmch]

"Fair ye well my Lassie Young Girls, I'm bound for the Rio Grande"  pronounced rye-o.

Thought I would update the group on sailing in the Rio Grande valley.  You may have heard of our drought out here. All the lakes are already drying up. The Rio is dry 100 miles south of where I live. Still some water in the clear ditch, but not near enough. The poor farmers got it rough this year.  The paper today showed farmers marching and praying along the ditch banks.  So Lets give them our best thoughts.

Our little lake is guaranteed a certain level because the feds have some agreement with the Cochiti Tribe.  Good for sailing.  The lake is never full, but Never empty.  Thank Goodness

What a great day on the water out here in the wild west.  Beautiful sustained winds with gusts just right to get the blood flowing.  No such thing as a steady wind next to our little 10,000 foot mountain.
I decided not to reef today and just see what she could do.  The little girl would just dig in and scoot .  Great!  I had an old friend with me. He had never sailed and he had a blast.  Saw one Laser ditch, but they did just fine righting and getting home.  I kept an eye on them.

Our local Coast Guard Auxiliary gave me the once over today.  I am now the proud owner of an safety sticker for the state of New Mexico.   These guys are great and provide a great service by educating local boaters.  They check registration with the Corp Of Engineers guy and give a thorough inspection.  They sure are a hoot however.

I got a chuckle from my particular guy.  Very by the book. My jackets all had to say "coastguard approved". Is there such a thing as a non approved life jacket?  I had to have the basic gear. oar, bailer,
anchor, paddle, and distress device.  He asked If I had a radio. I said yes and showed him my marine radio I use as a knotmeter. I was issued a sticker while thinking. Who exactly am I going to radio with this thing. The nearest Coast guard station on channel 16 is 800 miles away.  I was polite and said nothing. Put on my sticker shook his hand and went on my way.

I sent my son back to have the small sunfish inspected after we launched because we were wasting time and he could get inspected while I finished rigging.
Alas, he did not get a sticker because the Sunfish did not have a radio or fire extinguisher.  OOO KAYYY....

Last year I  had my Pram on inspection day. It too failed and was almost barred from launching because even an 8' boat needs numbers in NM if under power. (sail or motor).  I was given a reprieve and not cited because the pram is painted in Cutty red white and blue.  The old guys love it.

We had a fine day, good sailing and a free sticker.  My first one after sailing this lake for 30 years. We saw the Osprey nesting. My son is becoming quite the speed demon on the Sunfish.  My Old friend who suffers from cancer had the time of his life. Little did he know I had never heeled that far in the boat, And that I was watching the rigging real close for signs or stress.  Most of the signs of stress were on my face.  My ticker got a good work out, and we had chocolate cake.  Oh yeah. The school where I teach won the 4a state baseball tournament today!  Go Sartans!

Lastly, I have been doing some simple upgrades.  I ordered a new main with reef points and a Jenny from National sails.  Am starting to make a switch panel and solar charging station for the battery, and I have ordered charts for the channel Islands.  I wonder If my NM Coast Guard sticker is good in Santa Barbara. At least my radio will have someone on the other end.

Adios amigos.



Pic from last season.  Gave it a fesh coat last week. looking good. made from popular mechanics plans from 1954. the "Doris Fouch"

Our local Osprey family.  We also have a good amount of turkey vultures and some golden eagle.  and gulls. lots of gulls.

[jthatcher]

good morning!   nice pics  and great story!   What a nice way to spend a sunday..   I imagine that your son appreciates the time on the water with his dad just as much as you enjoy having him along.     I never thought to get a safety sticker on a sunfish -  probably should try to get one on the sailboat, however!    I am looking forward to hearing more of your stories as the season progresses..   jt

[InertBert]

Alas, he did not get a sticker because the Sunfish did not have a radio or fire extinguisher.  OOO KAYYY....

What about the epidemic of Sunfish bursting into flames?!

Sounds like it was a fun day, it was a fun story to read.

[ahmch]

Front page of the Albuquerque Journal Saturday.