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August 2006
GRAND BANKS YACHT CLUB
Down River Cruise Report
“Deliverance”
Our
annual down river cruise began on July 29th and ended on August 12th. It was
well attended and everyone had a great time.
Those in attendance for the entire
trip were: John and Robin, our cruise leaders, on Bella Grand,
Mark and Sandy on Worthy, Don and Sue on Sea Scape, and
our commodore and his first mate Judy on Dragonfly. Several
others were able to join us for parts of the cruise [and also for the
dinner at CRYC]. Fritz and Nancy, were waiting for us at Cathlamet,
they are keeping their boat Nancy at Astoria for the summer.
After our stay at Cathlamet they returned to Astoria and later joined
use for our trip to Warren Slough. Nordkapp, with Harvey and
Nancy also met us at Astoria and followed the group into Warren Slough.
Bill and Cornie were returning to Portland from up north and brought
Nimbus into Illwaco for one night. We also enjoyed a wonderful
potluck dinner in Astoria aboard Diane with Evaughn and Roy as
they were returning from up north. We were all pleasantly surprised to
see both the Cooks and Stevenses. Also, Jerry and Cheryl Fantz were
with: us for part of the cruise. It is always good to see old friends,
even though they have been led astray and no longer have a Grand
Banks.
We had many highlights along the
way including a great BBQ at Cathlamet prepared by two top chefs, John
and Mark. Those ribs and chicken were right out of the Food Network.
Terrific job guys, yum, yum! Also, we ate out several nights an enjoyed
good company and fun at Illwaco and Astoria. GBYC now has a new mooring
buoy in Steamboat Slough thanks to our dive Captain Tom. This will
allow us to moor there without worrying about fouling our ground
tackle. (Thanks Tom and John) At Warren Slough we had another super
crawfish feed thanks to the diligent work of our master crawfish hunter,
Fritz Delbrueck. Fritz and I believe we cooked about 8-10 dozen of
those critters [bugs]. Every one thought they were yummy except for the
mates on Sea Scape and Bella Grand. Those two ladies are not sure why
anyone would even consider eating them. Maybe we will be able to change
their minds. (Probably not)
[Many thanks go to CRYC for use of
their guest dock and outstation at Walker Island and to LYC for use of
their clubhouse and docks in Longview during the upriver portion of the
cruise.]
If you could not make the cruise
this year please try for next year. It is always a club highlight and
one to make if you can. See you at the next cruise at Coon Island
September 15-17.
Don
THE COON ISLAND MEDITERRANEAN GETAWAY - September, 2006
Safari left on Thurs. and arrived to be helped dock by Don and Sue
Wilson (Seascape). Celebration and Keith alone came next, and Nimbus
gave an eta of 4:30 and arrived on the dot. Drinks aboard Safari.
FRIDAY Huge deadheads around our boats and trusty Bill in his
dinghy towed them someplace! Cornie was very busy with a project
researching Bill's British relatives way back. Check with her at
Christmas to see if it is finished. Thunder and lightning and rain,
so Nimbus kindly invited us for mezza (appetizers). Great
Escape, Voyageur and Diane also arrived that day. We had a feast of
Greek treats like dolmas, savory pastries and different dips, washed
down with Ouzo. A few said they cared for licorice, so I found it
amusing when their little champagne cup was offered up for more.
The Ouzo bottle was nearly empty and found to be rather tasty!
SATURDAY The morning was spent visiting and chatting after Rosemary
delivered cardom coffee, pastries, salami figs and that mysterious
looking stuff that was NOT LIVER PATE, BUT WAS A VERY SWEET HALVA,
and, OF COURSE, ANOTHER QUIZ! The guys watched the game. I think
Oregon won! John Wilson brought firewood, and many thanks to all who
helped carry all my stuff up to the covered area for dinner, and to
Dave (Sol Mate) and Carol (who arrived later on Friday evening),
who carried up his Barbie. Our Tommodore drove to Gilbert and the
Nimbus dinghy brought him to us. We all gathered up under the
covered area, and accompanied by belly dancing music, Fatima made a
brief appearance, though upstaged by Sue Wilson and Tom Moss
together, and then the real pro, Carol who did a splendid dance, and
the Sultan of Somewhere (Don Wilson) did the most incredible Real
Belly Dance amidst great humor. Cornie took loads of pictures,
though none of them came out (we are saying, thank goodness). Carol
was the only one who found the Retsina palatable. No wonder my
father called it turpentine. So where did my bottle or Adrienne's
bottle go is anyone's guess. Another feast of squid salad, Greek
salad, lamb kebabs, lemon chicken and spaghetti. Thanks to all for
being such good sports and doing the quiz I made up. Lee and
Adrienne won it again and this year a better prize: a bottle of
olive oil. We finished dinner with baklava and banana liquer.
SUNDAY Juice and pastries on the dock. Dave provided champagne
for those staying another day. Great to see Cody. Next time, let
us know so we can all have ice cream for him. A delightful boy.
Thanks again for all your help. Condolences to Great Escape for the
loss of Gillie. I will start planning for next year soon, so hope
you can join us again.
Much affection to all, Rosemary
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