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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Block Island Weekend!
Posted By: Dug
Date: Monday, 15 August 2005, at 9:45 a.m.
Don't you love fog? In my earlier years, it really made me uncomfortable, but now that I have electronic goodies, I am a bit more secure when running. It still freaks Liz out. And we had plenty when we left the dock on Friday afternoon.
The GPS said we had 0.3 miles until the break water at the entrance to Great Salt Pond, but you could have fooled me. I couldn't see it. And then, out of the haze it emerged, and I knew the weekend had begun for real.
We pulled Alchemy into Champlins and tied up next to Mango, a 1982 Bertram 31 in great condition, while the radio crackled with the voice of Scott Traenkle, trying to get Champlins to respond as to where he should go. It became a theme for the weekend, and we asked the dockboy to holler over on the hand-held vhf that he should tie up with us. Soon enough we were a Bertram 31 sandwich. Life was good. The entire Traenkle family was there, with big smiles, and the windows still look awesome! Great company on the south dock of Champlins.
Along the main dock were another 6-8 boats, which I think included (forgive me if I miss anyone!) Tom Ward and the entire Ward family, Mitch and Kristen's fabulous MOJO which looks like it is fresh from the factory!, and Wits End, owned by the Pagano's, and guarded by Blue!. Further down was a 33', who's owners I met, but cannot for the life of me remember their names...bad me. Closer to the bakery was Gerard McLaughlin on Lone gull, looking spectacular and clean as always, then Starship with the cool bridge set up (my personal observance for the weekend!) Tom Hodges and his wife, And the entire (and I mean entire!) Franzoni clan aboard a super cool ex-police Bahia Mar. Neil and Cathy have a lot to be proud of, and could not be more excited!!!!
We walked up to the crowd gathered around the grill, and what a tuna fry was going on! Steve Miller on Storm Petrel had had success offshore and brought the fish, and the Franzoni family had brought the rest, and wow, what a gourmet dinner was had. Fresh Yellowfin, grilled corn on the cob, and all the fixin's! Fabulous. Later in the evening Sexy Lady pulled in with Dave Cockerham and his crew, bristling with Penn Internationals that had been put to good use, bringing in more yellowfin, and a couple of mahi for good measure. The fog billowed over everyone, but it did not matter. We were on Block Island, and we were with friends.
Saturday was a beach day, and the body surfing was gymnastic. The water was warm, the air was hot, and the breeze was stiff. I am stiff still, as apparently that is a different activity than the typical desk jockey experiences. While we were at the beach plans were coming to finality for dinner that night, and what a dinner it was. Good news was that we ended up with more company, as Ranger came over with all family in tow, and Ed Millian came down from Boston with out the boat, but that was not the important part. Only loss for Ed was that his bride did not accompany him. Dinner was fantastic; with out a doubt Ernesto and Ballards outdid themselves! Clam fritters, clam chowder, steamers and mussels, lobster, steak, baked potato, corn and apple crisp in such quantity that no one went home hungry. And the goody bags were given away as fairly as possible, given the circumstances, and the competition with the live band and outdoor view of the beach. We returned to Champlins to find a mid summer halloween bash on going, with costumes and decorations in full gear. Kids and adults alike, exercised the demons for us all, and staggered home afterwards to tell the tales. Tom Ward and I kept watch from the spacious flybridge aboard the new Rumrunner, just to make sure there was enough tomfoolery to be good, but not overwhelming. Oh, to be really young again. We now know, what we wished we knew then...
Sunday morning was low key, and people left early if long distance was the order of the day. The fog was back and made a good private run a near guarantee and before I knew it, the weekend was over and the boats were gone.
But what a weekend it was. High points? Mojo and Rumrunner looked proud and spectacular. I particularly liked the results of Tom's new air conditioning, and I cannot say enough about the hard work Mitch put in this year. I was thrilled to see the Pagano's again, and I think they were just as happy to be back. It just goes on and on. In truth, the whole weekend was a high point.
There really were no low points, excepting that there were people who had said they would come, and were prevented by real problems with Mechanicals (sorry Tim!), and just missing others. But that happens. It was smaller, but we still had 15 boats plus or minus, and 35 or so people for dinner. Small enough to spend quality time with just about everyone.
Thanks to all who came, and even more so I want to thank Rich Albert and Steve Miller for the hard work to make a successful get together possible, and for allowing me to take time I need and still enjoy everything! What a good time.
Dug
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