Neuse River rendezvous this fall?

[Tim Gardner]

Hope you guys have a great weekend at the Fall Rendezvous.  Wish I could be there - too many Admiral's-to-do list.

TG

[Razor]

Sailing at the Neuse River rendezvous even with gale force winds on Saturday. More details coming later by Elk River.

[BruceW]

I took the above panorama shot at our raft-up.

L to R: the Elks' 19, Chesley 's 23, my 23, Terry's 19

[Elk River]

     The ANRR (Autumn Neuse River Rendezvous) is now but a fond memory.  I suppose it should be re-named as we (except for Terry) never even made it out of the Upper Broad Creek to the Neuse River.  To say that winds were light is a severe understatement.  The blame rests squarely with me as I didn't read down at the bottom of the memo that I was supposed to supply some wind.  I thought the peppermint flavored cookies were the extent of it.  However, the next time we head down that way, I will pack some in a gripsack or two.

     A slight change of plans developed on our way down as Bruce suggested that we head directly for his sailing club.  He met us and led us in through the gates where he and Chesley graciously hosted us for the weekend at the Blackbeard Sailing Club.  We spent the night in the boat on the hard where the cabin temperature in the morning was 40 degrees F.  A little chilly perhaps, but having breakfast in the clubhouse warmed everyone up.  Terry showed up and launched his 19.  Shortly thereafter we all slipped our lines and headed out into the creek.  The fleet consisted of two 19's and two 23's.  Even after a few hours, we were not able to make it to the river.  A group of racers had left prior to our departure and had started the first of what was to be three races out on the river.  However, the conditions were so slack that the whole event was called off sometime after the first start.  We four rafted up for lunch and didn't bother to set an anchor (see Bruce's photo) and didn't even drift up or downstream.  We rotated a bit, but that was it.  We had a several hour gam and checked out each other's boats.  Eventually, we all motored back to the club where Terry loaded his boat up for trailering home.  The five of us and Jeff, a former Com-Pac owner that now sails a Saber (?) 28, all went in to New Bern for a nice supper and ice cream afterwards. 

     Another calm night was spent in the boats, but at least it was warmer than the previous night.  More no wind than wind on Sunday, so we walked the docks and checked out all the boats there and also the ones located on trailers in the club's large parking lot.  Charlie showed up, having motored over from New Bern in his 27.  He chatted a bit and then motored off down river.   We finally hauled our boat out and headed back to MD, arriving home a little after midnight. 

     All in all, another nice rendezvous, even with the calm conditions.  It is definitely a destination that Lily and I will make again in the future.  The Blackbeard Sailing Club is a superb sailing venue with a lot of welcoming members.  I thank Bruce and Chesley very much for their time and consideration in hosting us.

     I will try and post some photos separately so I don't lose this.

     Elk River

[Elk River]

The host club




Blue Heaven with the Blackbeard Sailing Club in the background




Chesley's Dixie's Grace, Terry's Exodus and Bruce's un-named 23




Chesley's Dixie's Grace




Bruce and his 23




Terry, huffin' & puffin' on Exodus' jib




Blue Heaven's chilly morning




Chesley, Lily, Charlie, Bruce




Charlie in his 27 headn' out

[BruceW]

Cool, Bradley; glad you and Lily came down.

Nice pictures, too. Can you just turn that one of me in my boat  around, so I'll be facing the camera? Thanks!

[Elk River]

How's this Bruce?



Elk River

[BruceW]

Magic!!!!

Thanks!