FAMWG (5th ANNUAL MID WINTER GATHERING)

[MKBLK]

Bob23 - Yeah, I had factored in the Cape May Canal. But I think even with that short-cut, it's scaring off some. Moshulu is definitely a good option,... or Pat's!

Marty

P.S. Maybe you could send some Joisey heavies over to Philly to explain why their health would be maintained if they offered lunch.

[Bob23]

If what Eagle eye says is true (and we have no reason to doubt someone who maintains his anchors better than most of us keep our entire boats), we could plan on a March 12th (Sunday) brunch. We have plenty of time for all to weigh in. Or a Saturday early dinner (5pm) What say ye, gnarly wharfrats?
Bob23

[Mas]

Hmmm....The idea of an Amtrak station nearby for a travel by rail is great idea Tim. Let's try to coordinate timing and we can sit in the club car for some cold ones so we are not out of gas when the light turns green! It will be a several hour trip for us and if not all of it on that wonderful I95 corridor it would not be a big deal. We know we will not be bringing a boat. Probably won't see any boats in he water till almost April. We will be milking the snow season till then! 

Keep working on Linda for CBMWG Bob. We promise we will talk about other things than boats, you know stuff like marinas, anchorages....

[Bob23]

  I seriously doubt I can convince the Admiral to attend. Being of Austrian descent, she's pretty stubborn, on a good day! But we'll see.

  In other much sadder news, I received an email from Lilly Cutter that Brad (Elk River) passed away on Christmas Eve. I don't have any other information but BBB er's will remember Brad and Lily aboard their Compac 19 "Blue Heaven". When Brad and I first met at the BBB 2014 (I think) we instantly became friends and engaged in the friendly banter commonly found here and at all of the Bash's. He challenged me to a race to Tice's shoals and after we blew by him, I found it necessary to turn around, pass him going the opposite direction and, coming about again, proceeded to pass by him a second time. Of course, as with all Bash get-togethers, it was all in fun.
  It was a pleasure watching he and Lily work as a team on board the boat and it was so obvious that the many years together had honed them into "one". I for one will miss this quiet and wise man who travelled a pretty far distance just to mingle with us here in New Joisey, as he was fond of pronouncing it, at both Bash'es and Mid Winter Gatherings.
  If you'd like to drop a note to Lily, please message me and I'll give her address. She sounded ok in the email and I believe this was not unexpected as he was dealing with some kind of cancer.
  "Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!
   And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea.
   But such a tide as moving seems asleep, too full for sound and foam.
   When that which drew from out the boundless deep turns home again.
   Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark!
   And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark.
   For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place the flood may bear me far,
   I hope to see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar."\

   Alfred Lord Tennyson

   Farewell, my friend and although our hours together were few, I felt you and I were a long lost brothers, reunited. I will miss you, Brad.

[Tim Gardner]

Bob, send the info to me.  Brad and Lilly opened their home to me two years ago at a mwg.  Great friends , wonderful hosts.  You know, I meet new people everyday, but I had an immediate connection to Brad & Lilly.
This group creates and enhances friendships, I cherish every one I meet here.
Bon Voyage  Brad.

[MKBLK]

Dear Lily,

It is with heartfelt sadness that we've learned of Brad's passing tonight. Barb and I are very happy to have dined with you both at the King George II in Bristol last March.

I had really enjoyed first meeting you both at the Barnegat Bay Bash and was impressed at the "classy" lifestyle you guys maintained on Blue Heaven. 19 feet of joy. You gave me a fit of three-foot-itis and dreamed of maybe upgrading to a CP19 ("quiet, Pegasus... you're still my baby"). Brad's knowledge of the Chesapeake and generosity led me to participate in the HOTCR in early May
2015. It was a most pleasant and memorable weekend. Thank you!

Brad's wit and friendliness will be missed but, I assure you, not forgotten. I sure hope you'll be able to attend the FAMWG this year... please bring a friend.

Marty K.

[Bob23]

Ok ladies and gents. Now that February is here, we need to pick up this ball again and run with it! Where were we anyway? Moshulu? Sounds fine although a bit expensive and their schedule doesn't exactly jive with ours. I'm open to suggestions to almost anywhere.
Can we get a final headcount on this? So far it seems like:
Me and the Admiral
Marty and Barbara
Allen and Suzie
Kev and Lesa
Tim and I really hope Vicki
So, weigh in mates and let's keep this ball rolling along!
Yours for the cause, Bob23

[Mas]

Good idea Bob! We are still a tentative yes secondary to an obligation that always falls within the first couple weekends in March. We are not in charge of when and that date is still in flux. Regardless of that we would love to have an excuse to meet more folks form this group. I echo Tim's comment that everyone we have met has been such an add to our lives and we hope us to theirs as well.

As far as where, I am not sure what the geographic range is for this but i would still vote for Annapolis as it is such a fun town and i don't know, something about sailboats there! It is a several hour trip for us but always worth it. Don't know the distance for everyone else. Tons of great places to eat, Naval Academy to visit, beautiful town, oh and then there are those sailboats again. 

[K3v1n]

'Breezes' On Bass River

Viking Yachting Center

[Bob23]

So to summarize: March 11th is the date set in stone. Because the plan has always been to attract as many suckers..er, I mean attendees to the Mid Winter gathering, it seems that the Philly area is winning out. Marty emailed me about a place in Philly called Misconduct Tavern. (Do they read our minds?) that looks interesting. '
http://www.misconducttavern.com/
Let's keep this ball rolling, folks.
Bob23

[Tim Gardner]

Sounds good for "us"

[K3v1n]

Okay if we are going with the 'Philly Area' idea I seriously submit the Manayunk Brewery. We have been there numerous times, great food and Craft Beers! Manayunk is a great little town if it's nice you can walk around. The Brewery sits right along the old Manayunk Canal which has a Towpath you can stroll on.

[MKBLK]

Barb and I are okay with 3/11. I like Kevin's choice of the Manayunk Brewery. Sounds like an interesting destination. Nothing like a good bunch of salts (that'd be us!), conversation, food and drink. Admittedly, I still would like to go to the Moshulu, but we are democratic, aren't we? One caveat: Hate to bring it up, but if it's snowing, Manayunk is not the best place to be.

Marty

[Bob23]

Hmm...decisions, decisions. Maniac Brewery sounds nice. What say ye merry gents and ladies? We're over a month away and amazingly, I am trying to shed my procrastinative ways! Weigh in, will ya?
Bob23

[Eagleye]

Suzie and I are still in also.  As soon as you lock in a place we will make hotel reservations.
We will leave it up to you for the location.  It's the people that make the event!
-Allen